NEWS
Teachers’ conference sheds light on student journey
Educational change in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Teachers and advisers shared best practice on supporting their students through their education journey at the University of Bedfordshire’s Teachers & Advisers Conference. The conference, held at the University’s Bedford campus, featured a keynote talk from Dan Beynon from education marketing company SMRS, who showcased the Revisions & Decisions project, which saw SMRS follow a group of young people as they made their way through Year 12 right up to university.
Matthew Welbourn, UCAS’ Professional Development Manager, took guests through planned changes to the UCAS application process for 2018 and how teachers and advisers can support young people through the process. Breakout sessions were also available to guests to learn more about specific topics, such as higher level apprenticeships, routes into teaching, student finance and support for STEM related subjects.
Yasemin Akaydin, Head of Year at Enfield Grammar School, said: “I have found today so enlightening. It has been interesting to see how much students can gain through research and that there is so much out there that I can signpost them to.”
Olubunmi Ade-El, a Trainee Personal Adviser with Luton Council, said: “Today has been very informative. In particular I found the session about how to write a personal statement for UCAS extremely helpful, as this is something I can share with my clients.”
The University’s Head of Student Recruitment David Seaton said: “The University is committed to supporting local schools and colleges and local education partners by providing up to date information regarding changes in the Higher Education sector.
“The conference focused on the current and future trends in Higher Education and student progression. This sat alongside our intensive external relations programme which supports student progression from our partner schools and colleges.”
To register your interest for next year’s Teachers & Advisers Conference, please contact Lee Bowling
lee.bowling@
beds.ac.uk
www.eastofengland.org.uk/kids-country 6
www.education-today.co.uk June 2017
The UAE’s Vision 2021 project aims to address key issues across the emirates and prepare all citizens for the modern world. A critical part of this is the “First-Rate Education” scheme, which is dramatically reforming education. There has been a renewed focus in the teaching of practical competencies and critical thinking, as well as the development of high- standard examinations, and reducing the school drop-out rate, encouraging more young people into higher education. It also includes the improvement of the Emirates’ TIMMS and PISA rankings; enhancing students’ proficiency in the Arabic language; ensuring quality in teaching and school leadership; and increasing enrolment in early years’ education. The UAE’s wants to strengthen its economy through 21st Century skills. As with many other nations, the UAE has shown a great emphasis towards science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). In line with this, investment in edtech rose to over $15 billion (£12 billion) in 2014, and there is now a nationwide initiative to promote innovation in learning.
This includes the establishment of 122 Innovation Libraries in UAE schools, providing an environment where students can develop their skills using technology. Children and young people are the main target for the
UAE’s innovation strategy, which aims to guide and inspire young people as entrepreneurs, helping them to take advantage of the technology at their disposal. The UAE wants to get companies, universities and schools working together to foster creative thinking towards national development. The first UAE Innovation Week was launched in 2015, encompassing hundreds of events. Such events included workshops and conferences, hackathons and competitions to encourage young people to think creatively and become problem solvers. In February 2018, this will become Innovation Month, to encourage more schools, businesses and individuals to consider the prospects of innovation, as well as attracting more international interest in the celebrations.
Thousands of school children to get hands- on lesson in food, farming and countryside
Thousands of school children from across the region are to be given the chance to learn more about food, farming and the countryside at the hands-on Kids Country Food and Farming Day on 30 June at the East of England Showground in Peterborough.
The interactive event, organised by the East of England Agricultural Society and sponsored by the Central England Co-operative, is linked to the national curriculum and aims to strengthen children’s connection with their food’s journey from field to plate – encouraging them to share their experiences with their families and peers.
In total, 7,000 children from 69 schools across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, and London are set to attend the event. It will feature 309 exhibitors from 85 companies offering various activities across 14 learning zones. Every child will have the opportunity to learn countryside skills, touch and taste various foods, find out more about livestock and working animals, visit an African village, and see the machinery and technology deployed on UK farms – including drones.
Speaking about the support from Central England Co-operative, Karen Ball, Member and Community Relations Officer, said: “The Co-operative has a long tradition of giving back to the community, and we welcome the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives and education of local children. “We look forward to building on our successful partnership with Kids Country, and bringing a greater understanding of food provenance and the countryside to children through the Food and Farming Day.”
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