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NEWS In brief UCAS consultation


MPs brand asbestos in UK schools a ‘scandal’


by Daniel White


A group of MPs has attacked the ongoing problem of asbestos in UK schools as a “national scandal” and urged the government to take action. A report on asbestos by the


All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Health and Safety warned the government that action needs to be taken with more than 75 per cent of British schools still containing the deadly substance. The report labels the situations as a “timebomb”. More than 140 teachers in the


UK have died from asbestos-relat- ed diseases, including the can-


cer mesothelioma, in the past 10 years, the report says. However, it adds that an


unknown number of cleaners, administration staff and caretak- ers have also died. The report, Asbestos in Schools:


The Need For Action, calls upon the government to set up a programme for the phased removal of asbestos from all schools – with priority being given to the most dangerous or damaged. It also said that mandatory


asbestos training standards should be introduced, and that parents, teachers and support staff should be annually updated on the asbestos in their schools and the measures being taken to manage it safely.


Exams delay ‘makes nonsense’ of new system


Headteachers and parents have criticised the Scottish govern- ment’s decision to allow one council to delay the start of new exams so that its schools have another year to prepare. Education minister Michael


Russell has backed East Renfrewshire Council’s plan to postpone the implementation of National 4 and National 5 exams, which will replace Standard Grade and Intermediates and are a key part of the Curriculum for Excellence rollout. The local authority argues


that its headteachers do not know enough about the new qualifications. Intermediate exams will still


run for a further year across the country as a backup. However, national guidance states there should be wholesale delays to implementation only in excep- tional circumstances so that pupils across the country enjoy parity. Ken Cunningham, general


secretary of School Leaders Scotland, a union representing secondary headteachers, said: “While East Renfrewshire may have its own reasons for want- ing a delay … the only thing that should stop (implementation) happening is if there is a serious disruption to the current time-


table, but at this point in time everything is still running to the original plan. “Otherwise, it makes a non-


sense of what it is we are trying to do in introducing a new nation- wide curriculum and exams.” Eileen Prior, executive direc-


tor of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, backed that view. “Everything that has been said up to now was that a delay was only available in exceptional cir- cumstances and it is very hard to understand how an entire local authority can be viewed as an exceptional circumstance. “This undermines confidence,


which is already shaky among parents.” Last week, Ades (Association


of Directors of Education in Scotland), which represents edu- cation directors, also demanded a uniform approach across local authorities. But Mr Russell said East


Renfrewshire was “unique” and he could see no reason to oppose the move. “All other authorities report that preparations are on track to deliver the new qualifi- cations. Subject departments in schools already have the option to request a delay on implementa- tion if they are unprepared and ... no departments have yet asked for a delay.”


Furthermore, the report rec-


ommends that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should work alongside the Department for Education (DfE) to develop asbestos guidance specifically for schools. The MPs also slammed previous


governments for considering the issue as “too big to handle”. Labour MP and chair of the


All-Party Parliamentary Group, Jim Sheridan, said: “This is a national scandal. Urgent action is needed to prevent more pupils, teachers and other staff being exposed to this deadly killer dust. We need both far greater awareness of the risks that this material poses and a pro- gramme for its phased removal.”


Michael Lees, founder of the


Asbestos in Schools campaign group, whose wife, a teacher, died of mesothelioma, said: “It is essen- tial and imperative that the govern- ment undertakes an urgent audit of asbestos in schools, provides train- ing for schools on how to manage it safely and draws up a programme for its phased removal.” Asbestos was used extensively


following the Second World War when 14,000 schools were built and almost all of those built before 1975 contain asbestos. Materials containing asbestos can release fibres if knocked or damaged which if inhaled can lead to mesothelioma. A DfE spokesperson said: “The health and welfare of pupils and


staff is absolutely paramount and should never be jeopardised. “The HSE’s expert advice is


based on the best current evidence. They are clear that if asbestos is not disturbed or damaged, then it is safer to leave it in situ, with robust processes in place to contain and monitor it. We are working hard with the HSE to make sure asbestos is managed properly in schools and will not hesitate to take tough action where there is danger to the welfare of pupils and staff.” For more information


and to read the report visit, www.jimsheridanmp.org.uk/asbestos inschoolsreport.pdf


• See page 6: SecEd On Your Side.


Northern Irish school audit to be done again


An audit of every secondary school in Northern Ireland, aimed at iden- tifying those with poor finances and falling pupil numbers, has to be redone. A review has been ordered to


identify post-primary schools that are “evidencing stress”. It is planned that “failing”


schools will be dealt with aggres- sively and merged or shut. With the education budget under


unprecedented pressure, there are concerns about some schools’ ability to provide the high qual- ity of teaching and learning that is expected. Government says this cannot


be allowed to continue, primarily because of the detrimental impact on children but also because of the


pressing need to reduce inefficien- cies within the system. The outcome of a series of


viability audits, in the form of reports by the five area Education and Library Boards, was sent to the Department of Education last month. However, the North’s education


minister says these are incomplete. The minister says his focus is


on protecting the education of the pupils in schools and the audits are an essential part of this. It is, therefore, important that


they are carried out as set out in the terms of reference. These require boards to pro-


vide a report that identifies, based on robust and verifiable informa- tion, “all primary and post-primary


schools currently facing significant viability challenges”. Boards are also required to cat-


egorise these schools in terms of the root cause of the problem and present proposals to address the causes of unviability in order to protect the education of the pupils. Mr O’Dowd says a clear and


unambiguous understanding of the extent of the financial and educa- tional challenges facing schools is vital. “For this reason I have asked


the boards to complete and resub- mit the audits. I have also asked them to set out proposals on how they plan to address the position in those schools demonstrating the greatest degree of financial stress,” he said.


A level comparison update


The chief of England’s exams watchdog has reported back to MPs on the progress of their work to compare our examination system with those abroad. Glenys Stacey, chief executive


of Ofqual, updated MPs on the Education Select Committee during a special hearing focused on the work of the regulator. Ofqual’s comparison work for


A levels is due to be published in February and will run to 300 pages. Ms Stacey said it will “contain some nuggets to take forward”. Ms Stacey told MPs: “We have found – this is counter-cultural for


SecEd • February 9 2012


us in our society – much greater use of multiple-choice questions. They have their place in properly evaluating the breadth of study. We have also found a much greater reliance on projects and on oral assessment.” The comparison work has been


undertaken by a team of 10 people within Ofqual and has also engaged with subject experts. Ms Stacey continued: “In some


jurisdictions there is a much greater use of technical aids such as alge- braic calculators. These are the sorts of tools that people would be using in their employment and further


study as well, and we think there is a debate to be had now about the role of such instruments in assess- ment here.” Mr Stacey said that she want-


ed to make sure that the range of assessment tools at A level are best suited to “assess true learn- ing”. She added: “I am now raising these questions about whether we look again at the mix and types of assessment.” Last year Mr Gove asked Ofqual


to compare England’s examination system with countries overseas to ensure we are maintaining compa- rably high standards.


The universities admissions body UCAS has launched a consultation over proposals for a new approach to qualifications information, possibly replacing the current tariff-based system. A review launched last year recommended the creation of Qualification Information Profiles to give “admissions tutors the information they need about qualifications presented by applicants”. It also said that higher education institutions should consider the “gradual withdrawal” of the tariff points system. A consultation over the plans opens today (Thursday, February 9) and runs until April 16. Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS chief executive, said: “We have responded to demands for more comprehensive information on applicants’ qualifications. Our proposals will help admissions officers really understand the diverse range of qualifications that are now common among applicants and their suitability for the higher education courses on offer. These recommendations take us far beyond the tariff and notional equivalencies between qualifications.” Visit: www.ucas. com


Language challenge


Schools can register now for the National Language Championship, a week-long challenge open to all secondary schools in the UK and Ireland. It takes place from February 29 to March 6 and is free to enter. Run by Vocab Express, the competition pits schools and students against each other in a range of language challenges. Students participate online and challenge for positions in real-time leaderboards with awards on offer for the top performing students and schools. A teacher’s pack is available. Visit: www.vocabexpress.com/ nationalchampionship


Good governance


A series of free workshops exploring what good governance looks like in schools and academies starts this month. The training events are organised by the National College and are open to chairs of governors as well as co-ordinators of governor services, headteachers, school business managers, local authorities and diocese leaders. Visit: www.nationalcollege.org. uk/chairsofgovernors


Persecution resource


A new teaching resource – Mosaic: Victims of Nazi persecution – has been launched focusing on minority groups who were targeted by the Nazis during the Second World War. Created by the National Union of Teachers in conjunction with the Holocaust Educational Trust, the resource is designed for use with students aged 13 and above. It offers information on the persecution of Jews in Hungary, Gypsies and disabled people across Europe. New content on different groups will be added in the coming months. Visit: www.teachers.org.uk/ teachingresources/holocaust


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