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NEWS


NFER undertakes major new analysis to improve understanding of teacher retention and workforce turnover


A major education research grant from the Nuffield Foundation is funding a new 14-month research project by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) to gain more detailed understanding of the factors associated with teacher retention, turnover and returning to teaching, and how the teaching profession compares to other professions, such as nursing and policing.


Recruiting and retaining enough teachers to serve growing numbers of pupils is one of the key challenges currently facing England’s education system. NFER has already undertaken a programme of research on the teaching workforce – “Engaging teachers” and “Should I stay or should I go?” – exploring how engaged


and supported teachers feel and how this relates to their intention to remain or to leave the profession.


The researchers will investigate these topics in much more detail, broadening understanding of the issues and potential strategies to address them. A series of working papers and roundtable meetings are planned throughout the project, as well as an interim report in July 2017 and a final report planned for publication in early 2018. Commenting on the announcement, NFER Chief Executive Carole Willis said: “Against a backdrop of increasing pupil numbers and teacher shortages in key subjects, understanding the dynamics of the teacher workforce is important to assist policy makers and system


leaders formulate effective responses to this important issue. NFER experts will provide new statistical analyses and draw on expert knowledge to look at the implications and identify possible solutions. This is an area where we have built considerable research knowledge. We are delighted that the Nuffield Foundation has awarded our research programme with a grant.” If you would like to register your interest in this project and its publications please visit:


www.nfer.ac.uk/research/teaching- workforce-dynamics


Words take centre stage in double spelling bee


Perspicuous, empyrean, discombobulate… they’re words that many adults would be hard-pressed to spell, but first-year Reigate Grammar School pupils took them in their stride during the school’s spelling bee. The bee was just one of a series literary activities taking place at the school around World Book Day. The real-life spelling bee, for 1st Form students, was held to celebrate the school’s current show, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, a comedy about a fictional spelling bee.


The first round of the school finals saw over 100 students supporting their classmates as they competed for the title and the prize for their tutor group. Pitting their spelling wits against each other, students were challenged with a range of words from the school's Word of the Week programme along with spelling bee classics such as ‘necessary', ‘accommodate' and ‘recommend'.


Philomena Bradford, the eventual winner, was modest about her achievement: "This is totally unexpected!", she said. "I work hard on my spellings, but never expected this!”


Robert Shaughnessy, the school’s Head of English, said: "Spelling remains one of the key skills in English and it is fantastic to see such amazing support from our students for their friends. Having a love of language and words is one of the cornerstones of our philosophy at RGS - to see it played out on stage really showcases out students' enthusiasm for learning."


www.reigategrammar.org


Santander announces over 400 apprenticeships


Santander has marked National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 March) by announcing it will be offering over 400 apprenticeship opportunities across the UK in 2017/18.


As part of the bank’s commitment to developing young people, the schemes will see apprentices taken on in full-time roles across a range of Santander’s divisions. As well as apprenticeships based in Santander branches, the bank is offering degree level apprenticeship programmes, including opportunities in Digital & Technology Solutions and a new Finance Apprenticeship.


In order to provide as wide a range of routes into a banking career as possible, Santander will also be launching a new Traineeship scheme, aiming to offer over 140 places in Bootle and Bradford. This eight-week programme is designed to help young people develop their employability skills to become ready for work and move on to one of the bank’s apprenticeship schemes. Vicky Wallis, HR Director at Santander UK, said: “It is important for us as an organisation to reflect the diverse communities we serve, and part of that is recognising that not everyone follows the same path into a career. Apprenticeships are vital


10 www.education-today.co.uk


in providing an opportunity for people to earn and learn, offering professional development, and a nationally recognised qualification.”


www.santanderjobs.co.uk/ realiseyourfuture/apprenticeships.php


March 2017


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