NEW TESTS 'TOO TOUGH' FOR PUPILS

5/10/2008 7:29:00 AM

The Times; 10 May 2008

The tests that will replace SATs in primary and secondary schools are will be changed because the expected standards are reportedly too high. More than 400 schools are piloting the new tests, which are expected to be introduced from 2010. They will be taken at the end of key stages 2 and 3, when children are 11 and 14. Fewer than one in 10 pupils passed one of the reading exams, according to the Times Educational Supplement. It said that the Government would alter the tests so that children have more time to complete higher level sections. The Department for Children, Schools and Families, said: “We have not lowered standards. We are simply running a pilot, part of which is testing out different assessment models. We have every interest in finding out what works and helps us achieve our aim — more pupils making faster progress.” Times

Secondary

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HEADS WARN OF EXAM 'CONGESTION'

5/10/2008 7:33:00 AM

BBC 10 May 2008

The main exam season is looming for hundreds of thousands of youngsters Pupils about to start sitting GCSEs and AS-levels are being put under extra pressure by timetabling problems, head teachers have warned. The National Association of Head Teachers says as more pupils sit a wider range of subjects, candidates can face three or four exams in one day. It is calling on exam boards to co-ordinate schedules more effectively. The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) said it aimed to minimise clashes but some were inevitable. The exam season begins across England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Monday, but teaching unions fear what is already a difficult time for pupils is being made even harder. Emma Horstrup, assistant head at Rainham Mark Grammar School in Kent, said: "We are getting a bunching of exams in one day. "Some students are sitting three exams in one day - this is causing great stress and may be affecting their results." Chris Howard, vice-president of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "The exam boards need to do more to best co-ordinate their efforts so that youngsters don't have this problem of three or four examinations in one day which is clearly asking too much of anybody. BBC

Lead Story | Secondary

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BRIGHTON COLLEGE DROPS HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY AND RE

5/10/2008 7:31:00 AM

The Times; 10 May 2008

Lessons in the “story of our land” will replace history, geography and religious education at a leading independent school. Richard Cairns, the Headmaster of Brighton College, told a conference there that he wanted to inspire children and teach how Britain influenced the world. He likened the current teaching of history to a car journey that stopped on only three occasions — 19th-century women, the First World War and Nazi Germany — and said that there was too much focus on other cultures. “We should stop being ashamed of being British,” he said. “We should be less embarrassed about our past.” His focus is at odds with the state sector’s national curriculum, which has been seen as dominated by a social agenda. Michael Gove, the Shadow Schools Secretary, told the conference that current practices had “dethroned” the teacher, and subjects of passing relevance were taught instead of a permanent body of knowledge. “It’s an approach that’s been called progressive but is anything but. It denies children the knowledge they should have in order to make the most of their talents.” The “story of our land” course will be taught six times a week to pupils aged 11 to 14. After that they will take GCSEs in geography, history and religious education. Times

Curriculum / Quality Assurance

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BROWN AND CAMERON WIN SCHOOL PLACES

5/10/2008 7:31:00 AM

The Guardian; 10 May

Like countless other parents, the Browns and the Camerons were anxiously awaiting the letter which dropped on the mat yesterday to tell them whether their child will get a place at their state primary school of choice. In both households the news was good. So are the schools. Four-year-old John Brown will attend Millbank primary school, located a mile away from No 10 in the working-class backstreets of Westminster. Nancy Cameron, a few months younger, will travel further, past other primaries, to St Mary Abbots Church of England school in smart Kensington High Street. Both schools are popular, highly rated in the latest Ofsted reports: well above average for Keystage 1 and 2, both Grade 1 for effectiveness, with committed teachers and hardworking pupils. The Browns and the Camerons know not all parents will be this lucky in September. There are some not-so-subtle differences between Millbank and St Mary Abbots which reflect the political outlook of the prime minister's family and the one that wants to replace him in No 10. With about 275 pupils, Millbank primary, a mixed school, is average in size. It serves what Ofsted's 2006 report called "an area of high deprivation", with half its pupils entitled to free school meals and an "overwhelming majority" from ethnic minorities. At St Mary Abbots, a smaller school with 210 pupils, one-third of children are from ethnic minorities. Few pupils claim free school meals. The Camerons, who are regular worshippers at St Mary Abbots church, were said to delighted with the news. A spokesman said: "This is the school they wanted for their daughter. They have gone through the same process as everyone else ... there was no favouritism." Guardian

General | Primary

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RUGBY TO LET IN MORE POOR PUPILS

5/10/2008 7:39:00 AM

BBC; 10 May 2008

Another well-known independent school has announced plans to open its doors to more pupils from poorer backgrounds. Rugby School in Warwickshire plans to boost the number of funded pupils, it supports through its own charitable foundation, to 80 or 10% of the school. Rugby's charitable foundation wants to raise £30m for part of this expansion. Pressure is mounting from the Charity Commission on independent schools to do more to justify their charitable status and accompanying tax breaks. Last week a leading independent school, Winchester College, said it would be increasing its fees to raise funds to provide bursaries for poorer pupils. Winchester said the levy would help "re-align" the school with the charitable intentions of its medieval founders. And Wellington College has won approval to run a state-funded academy close to several military bases.  BBC

Independent/ Private Sector

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