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HEADMASTER: HANDS OFF OUR INSPECTORS
Keith Marrow, Headmaster at The Elms Junior School in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, has voiced his concerns on government influence over school inspections. Mr Marrow fears that the essence of independent education would be under severe threat if the Government changes the current inspection framework of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) to bring it into line with that used by Ofsted. An independent, not-for-
profit body, ISI currently inspects more than 1,200 member schools, considering all elements of school life including curriculum, pastoral care and pupils’ personal development. However, after former
Education Secretary Michael Gove said that Ofsted should have direct responsibility for all schools in England, Mr Marrow – himself an ISI and former Ofsted inspector – said: “I have some major concerns about handing over the inspection of independent schools to a government body. “My fear is that, in order
to get a good Ofsted report, independent schools would be pressured into becoming more like maintained schools – re- introducing SATS, narrowing the primary curriculum to focus almost exclusively on maths and English, and being forced to adopt the national curriculum rather than inventing their own. “Ofsted is overwhelmingly
concerned with data, rather than observing lessons, and measures all schools by the same yardstick. Independent schools are diverse in their approaches to learning, adapting the curriculum to suit pupils’ needs. The independent system has weathered the economic downturn and is a world-class British success. Why would you mend something which isn’t broken?”
Twins are inspired to support Indian homeless children
on the streets, looking after his three- year-old sister. Moved by what they saw, the girls decided that they wanted to help. They started with a ‘back to front’ clothing day at their school, which raised £220. They have also created a web page, where more than £200 has been donated, and a YouTube video. “The charity gives children an
A recent trip to India inspired seven- year-old twins Freya and Satia Badwal to launch a fund-raising drive for a charity that supports homeless children in Mumbai. The twins, from Derby High School, saw the work of the Vatsalya Foundation first-hand when they visited India for a family wedding. Freya and Satia met a six-year-old
boy who was being cared for by the foundation after being found alone
education, food and beds,” Freya explained. “Life for children out there is very different: we know how lucky we are. We met a six-year-old boy who had been found on the streets looking after his three-year-old sister. That made us feel sad, but he is happy now. “We hope that the money we are
raising will help these children to have more food and a happier life.” The girls’ fund-raising web page,
including their YouTube video, can be found at htp://
gogetfunding.com/ project/vatsalya-street-kids-project
Universities increasingly valuing good maths and independent thinking, research suggests
more of the university experience, universities are looking for greater skills and commitment from their applicants,” commented Fergus Rose, Head of Marketing and Admissions at ACS. “Universities are now looking for students who are beter equipped to contribute more and cope beter with the rigours of university life and learning.” Increasing the nation’s maths skills is
The importance of a reasonable grasp of maths and evidence of an ability to think and work independently have moved up the university admissions agenda, according to the latest research commissioned by ACS International Schools. Twelve months ago, just 44%
of university admissions officers considered a reasonable grasp of maths either important or very important, but that figure has risen to 72% in this year’s survey. Meanwhile, last year 72% atached importance to an applicant’s ability to think and work independently, rising to 87% this year. “It’s clear that, just as students demand
a Government target, with only a fifth of pupils in England currently studying maths at any level after GCSEs – the lowest rate among 24 developed countries. The research also explored admission
officers’ views of different qualifications – A-levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB) in particular. With over 26,000 students (or one in 15) failing to complete their first year at university according to the latest stats from Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), it is notable that 28 per cent of admissions officers believe that the IBß provides the best preparation for university, compared to just eight per cent who cite A-levels.
W: htp://
bit.ly/1sNc6eH
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