www.sec-ed.com NewS
Union leader highlights
In brief
Hands Up
Pupils in Scotland have the
opportunity to take part in
the national Hands Up survey
plight of deprived pupils
next week (September 7
to 11). The survey, carried
out by the charity Sustrans,
gathers information on how
youngsters travel to school.
The information will be used
to identify areas that have
been successful in encouraging
by Chris Parr
because of their background, say- of about half of my pupils are union since 1998, takes over the even more limited since I started pupils to walk, cycle and use
ing it was “heartbreaking” that unemployed. ATL presidency from Andy Bollard. teaching 30 years ago.” public transport, and highlight
some of the brightest youngsters “If their parents and families She was educated at Malet Lambert Ms Ward said that all educa- regions and schools that need
Low aspirations are consigning lack the confidence to move away show no interest in education it is High School in Hull, and went tion professionals faced an “uphill support to help children make
youngsters to “unemployment and from their home town to get a job. incredibly difficult for schools to to High Melton Teacher Training struggle” to help pupils from poorer greener and healthier school
dead-end jobs”, according to the Ms Ward said: “The expec- break through that barrier so these College, also in Doncaster. backgrounds to aspire to higher travel choices. Contact: paul.
new president of the Association tations and aspirations of many children can do well at school. As She continued: “The majority of education. ruffles@sustrans.co.uk
of School and College Leaders deprived children are so limited a result many youngsters follow middle class children now expect to “They have as much right as
(ATL). they can’t imagine a life any dif- their parents into unemployment go on to higher education, and are anyone else to go to university, to
Lesley Ward, who took over as ferent from that of their immediate and dead-end jobs.” encouraged by their parents to do become a teacher, lawyer, doctor, sci-
Alcohol initiative
the union’s president on Tuesday family. Ms Ward, who teaches at a pri- so. But the opportunities for poorer entist, accountant or even, dare I say, An initiative to tackle “alcohol
(September 3), claimed that too “At the school where I’ve taught mary school in Doncaster, and has children who lack family support, banker. Unfortunately there aren’t hotspots” in Britain is under
many students expected to fail for the past thirty years the parents been an executive member of the particularly boys, have become any easy solutions,” she added. way, and has already awarded
£265,000 in grants. The scheme,
operated by Drinkaware, the
alcohol information charity, still
Politician urges
has funds available for education
projects that aim to reduce
alcohol misuse. Grants of up to
£100,000 are available. Visit:
schools to help
www.drinkaware.co.uk
Apprentices online
curb rise in
A networking website
specifically aimed at
apprentices and potential
apprentices aged 15 to 25
eating disorders
has gone live. Jigsawww is
designed to offer a forum
through which young
apprentices can connect
with each other, employers,
Schools in Wales should include “Young people would no long- managers, and learning
lessons on body image and self- er be under peer pressure to look a providers across the UK. It also
esteem to help prevent eating certain way, and will be informed provides resources for students,
disorders, a leading politician has about how images are portrayed tutors and managers. To mark
claimed. and why they are portrayed in a its launch, the site is calling for
Plaid Cymru AM Bethan certain way.” youngsters to submit a video,
Jenkins, who chairs the National The cross-party group also showing the benefits of the
Assembly’s cross-party group on wants the Welsh Assembly to fund apprenticeship programme,
eating disorders, says the issues a programme to create a range which could be shown to
should be included in the national of educational materials on body prospective employers. Visit:
curriculum. image for five to 18-year-olds.
Ms Jenkins said: “I sincerely Mary George, of eating dis-
believe that introducing such les- orders charity Beat, backed Ms
Survey reveals parents’
www.jigsawww.net
sons in our schools will curb the Jenkins’ campaign to highlight the
Music launch
rise of eating disorders among our issue of body image and the lack The National Association of
young people, who feel a tremen- of self-esteem.
dous pressure to look a certain She told us: “We welcome it
way, or to live up to images they being brought to the attention of the
concerns about school
Music Educators has launched
a new publication designed
to offer information about the
see in magazines.” Assembly government, and believe goings on in music education.
Her calls echo those of televi- this is something that should hap- Bullying, knife and gun crime, and ing safe” was the most popular “However, the reality is that Music Education Update
sion style expert Gok Wan, who pen in the education system. Young drug use have been cited as the answer. children are safe in school and that provides information on a wide
says schools must take a lead in people must be taught that we come main concerns of parents while The other four outcomes are: schools themselves are relatively range of music curriculum
tackling teenagers’ concerns about in all shapes and sizes and that all their children are at school. enjoying and achieving; being safe havens of peace and security. developments, from the Music
their appearance. are beautiful.” A survey of 1,000 parents, car- healthy; making a positive con- More therefore needs to be done to Manifesto to Musical Futures.
Ms Jenkins, who believes ses- An Assembly government ried out by building management tribution; and achieving economic reassure parents.” The publication is aimed at
sions on body image and self- spokeswoman said: “One cen- providers TAC UK, found that 51 wellbeing. Ms Keates called for “concerted all music educators including
esteem should be added to the tral aim of PSE is to help young per cent of those with secondary- However, the vast majority of action” to tackle all forms of bul- teachers, governors, parents,
PSE curriculum in all secondary people to develop a positive self aged children were concerned about parents asked (95 per cent) said lying, and said schools should be freelance musicians, and music
schools, added: “When you ask image and interact effectively cyber bullying, while just under they felt their children were safe encouraged to use their powers to service and local authority
boys what makes them happy they with others to encourage health half were worried about pupils car- at school, with just four per cent tackle antisocial behaviour, includ- staff. It includes descriptions
may say playing sport, but girls and emotional wellbeing. The rying knives. saying they felt their child was “not ing “random airport-style security of different music schemes and
will tell you it’s about how good PSE framework also explicitly Other areas of concern were safe” or “not safe at all”. checks, to detect and deter the car- projects, links to individual
they look in the playground. refers to food and fitness.” drug use and drug dealing, with Chris Keates, general Secretary rying of offensive weapons”. websites, a glossary of terms
“This is more than just about She added: “Schools have the around half of secondary children’s of the NASUWT union, said: However, she added: “Action and suggestions for further
how you look, it’s about building flexibility to provide PSE in a way parents saying these activities wor- “The report shows that parents by schools alone will not be suffi- reading. Music Education
confidence and self-esteem. It is that suits the needs of their pupils. ried them, while alcohol use con- quite rightly place a high priority cient to allay parental fears. Parents Update costs £1.50. Visit:
much like sexual health and sex The existing requirements enable cerned around 40 per cent. on safety at school. Parental con- themselves have a major contribu- www.name2.org.uk/pub/
education. The earlier we start, them to engage with body-image When asked which of the five cerns cannot be dismissed and their tion to make in supporting schools pubintro.php
the better. issues where appropriate.” Every Child Matters outcomes they fear for children’s safety should be in their efforts to ensure safety and
were most worried about, “stay- acknowledged. security for staff and pupils.”
Video competition
Aspiring film-makers aged
Met office forecasts brighter future for maths and science
16 to 25 are being offered
the chance to put together a
music video, and have it aired
Students at schools across the UK ticipating students will be inspired to He continued: “Using videocon- on MTV. The Solder’s Eyes
have the opportunity to talk live take maths and science study further ferencing gives us a perfect tool to competition, named after the
with Met Office weather experts as as a result of the sessions. raise the profile of a complex sci- song for which the video will
part of scheme to boost the take-up Paul Gross, education services ence. It allows us to reach schools be made, is part of a project
of maths and science in schools. manager at the Met Office, says that from the Met Office headquarters, that aims to use music and
An initial series of 10 video con- each session will be focused on the which would not have been other- pop culture to combat the
ferences will give students across specific needs of the schools and wise possible” breeding of hatred in young
the country the chance to discuss teachers taking part. The first session will take place people. Organisers are looking
a range of topics, including how He told us: “We ask the teachers on Wednesday, November 11, for a “socially-aware” video
tornados occur and where cyclones to submit questions to us prior to and they will run until Thursday, for the track, which will
get their names. the video conference taking place, February 25. It is hoped that further be released by singer Jack
The Met Office programme, fund- that way we can tailor the sessions dates will be announced soon. Savoretti next month (October).
ed by the Department for Children, for each of the schools individually. For more information, and to The competition closes on
Schools and Families, covers weath- The students get to interact with the apply for the programme, visit September 25. Contact: legend.
er, climate change, forecasting, and specialists and ultimately get much www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/ Weather alert: Thanks to video conferencing, students will live@virgin.net
tropical storms. It is hoped that par- more out of the day.” teachers/video_conferencing.html be able to talk directly to experts at the Met Office
SecEd • September 3 2009 
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