david lundie John dickens finnish discussing A front line lessons? extremism visit to the There’s not in class somme much to learn Page 19 Page 9 Page 18

SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK FRIDAY, APRIL ,   | EDITION  MANIFESTOS: WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT SCHOOLS

Pages 6 & 7 Exam overhauls ‘force’ Cambridge to plan entry tests University consults on bringing back own entrance test after 29 years P 14 ‘What I hear is a lot more work for me. It makes me really frustrated’ Documents presented at a senior tutors’ committee Debra Kidd: If I were JOHN DICKENS (STC) in March, seen by Schools Week, state that @JOHNDICKENSSW Exclusive the university is “being forced” into changing its education secretary ... “well-tried system” of using AS-levels to assess which The University of Cambridge is gathering views on applicants get invited for interview. plans to bring back entrance tests – 29 years after The paper says that GCSEs “will not give us a I would consider what teachers abandoning them. reliable measure” due to their ongoing reform and If the proposal goes ahead, all school pupils applying need to do their job well to the university would need to sit the test. Continued on page 2 BUILD A BETTER SUPPLEMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH baccalaureate PRODUCED BY SUPPLEMENT FREE WITH THIS ISSUE 2 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 EDITION 25 NEWS Cambridge rethinks admissions process SCHOOLS WEEK TEAM JOHN DICKENS CONTINUED Editor: Laura McInerney @JOHNDICKENSSW FROM FRONT Head designer: Nicky Phillips that “schools’ predictions of grades will be Designer: Rob Galt next to useless”. Sub editor: Jill Craven University departments have now been asked for their views on a “main proposal” to Senior reporter: Sophie Scott reintroduce tests from the 2016-17 admissions Senior reporter: Ann McGauran round. When contacted by Schools Week, the Senior reporter: John Dickens university sought to distance itself from any Senior reporter: Freddie Whittaker suggestion these were firm plans. Mike Sewell, director of Reporter: Rebecca Cooney admissions for the Cambridge

Reporter: Billy Camden colleges, said in a statement: Photo: Mario Sánchez Prada: http://bit.ly/1J4mYL3 via freeforcommercialuse.org “In the light of the recent Photographer: Ellis O’Brien A-level reforms, the them without an effective “If this is a trend, then we could end up Cartoonist: Stan Dupp university is in the process mechanism for comparing with all types of different exams with different of considering all options applicants. criteria. It starts to undermine A-levels as a Financials: Helen Neilly available so that we may The Labour party has university entrance requirement.” Victoria Boyle continue meeting our goal of pledged to halt the changes and Sarah Elgie, an English teacher at Heathcote admitting the best and brightest retain AS-levels. School, in Chingford, London, who works Sales manager: Hannah Smith students from all backgrounds.” The university refused to respond with more able students added: “I teach a huge Sales administrator: Jasmin Fergus-Aghamiri Other options are believed to include when asked by Schools Week if it would amount of exam prep as it is. When I hear this, increasing its standard offer grades or upping drop the proposals should Labour get into what I hear is a lot more work for me. Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell the significance of interviews. power. “It makes me really frustrated, but I But he added: “We are clear that the best Oxford University already uses subject- understand it and I expect other universities Contributors: Robert Plomin way of achieving this is for the government specific aptitude tests. Most of its admission will have to do this if they don’t have a Deborah Kidd to retain public examinations at the end of tests are organised by the Admissions Testing common marker.” Anthony Grayling year 12.” Service. The proposed test would be free for schools Bruce Liddington Mr Sewell sent a letter to schools and sixth A spokeswoman for the university said it and would be based on the Thinking Skills Emma Hardy forms in November “strongly” urging them has tests for virtually all its subjects so would Assessment (TSA), designed and administered to continue entering students for AS-level not be affected by the A-level reforms by the Admissions Testing Service. Gabriel Heller Sahlgren exams. However documents seen by Schools The disclosure has been met with concern According to its website, it is part of David Lundie Week state that the reformed AS-levels will by school leaders. Cambridge English Language Assessment, a be “of very limited use” under the current Eddie Playfair (pictured), principal of not-for-profit department of the University of Managing director: Shane Mann admissions process. Newham Sixth Form College, London, said Cambridge. And tweet us your thoughts @schoolsweek or At present, the university uses unified mark more entrance tests could give bigger college A paper circulating among university with the hashtag #schoolsweek scheme (UMS) scores calculated from students’ providers, who have more resources, an departments, and seen by Schools Week, performance in their AS-levels to decide which advantage over school sixth forms. reveals trial data suggesting that if TSA had subscribe applicants are invited to interview. “There’s a danger students in smaller sixth been used in the admission rounds for the For an annual subscription to Schools Week for But under coalition reforms planned to forms don’t have the same resources and past two years then 7 per cent of successful just £50 visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk and click “toughen up” the qualifications, AS exams will might lose out. It could be one more barrier in applicants would not have been called for on ‘subscribe’ at the top of the page. be optional for cohorts starting this September the way.” interview. www.schoolsweek.co.uk and scores will no longer contribute to the He also suggested that other universities That equates to about 210 current students, or call 020 8123 4778 to subscribe overall A-level. may face the same problem. “The question the equivalent of an entire year group in a The Cambridge proposals says this leaves now, is who will follow? large state school. ADVERTISE WITH US If you are interested in placing a product or job advert in a future edition please click on Childcare pledge will ‘force providers to close’ the ‘advertise’ link at the top of the page on schoolsweek.co.uk or contact: The Conservative party’s intention to double cost of providing “free” places funded at the been extended by the coalition. E: [email protected] free childcare for three and four-year-olds lower government rate, Ms Crowley says. An evaluation published in January of early T: 020 81234 778 will have a negative impact on the capacity, “This is a problem for settings and staff years’ provision for this age group, carried

Disclaimer quality and diversity of early years’ settings, because at the moment if we are going to have out for the Department for Education, found Schools Week is owned and published by Lsect Ltd. The views including those based in schools, says one to offer 30 hours at this [government] funded that of 47 projects, 14 would only become expressed within the publication are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Schools Week, Lsect provider. rate, then it means we will get less money in sustainable after a few years and nine did not Ltd or any of its employees. While we try to ensure that the Sue Cowley, who runs a voluntary pre- from unfunded places, so we can’t top up our expect to become sustainable. information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. school, believes that David Cameron’s pledge income. A spokesperson for the Conservative party The design of the printed newspaper and of the website is copyright of Lsect Ltd and material from the newspaper of £350m this week to extend free childcare to “Businesses are being asked to provide a told Schools Week: “Payments vary between should not be reproduced without prior permission. If you 30 hours a week for working families will push service at less than it will cost. I think what areas and different types of providers. At wish to reproduce an article from either the printed paper or the website, both the article’s author and Schools Week providers’ costs up and force some to close. would happen is that settings like ours will present the average that central government must be referenced (to not do so, would be an infringement on copyright). The amount early years’ providers get in end up closing.” pays to local authorities per hour is £4.50. Lsect Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external funding for free places has not gone up in Large chains of providers with more staff “But we know the amount local authorities internet sites linked to. Please address any complaints to the editor. We are fully seven years, with providers in Ms Cowley’s and capacity “would be the only way to make take from this varies, which is why we now committed to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which cannot be resolved by area of Somerset getting “roughly £3.50” an this work”, she said, but this would not enable publish an annual benchmarking tool that lists the editor, write to the Press Complaints Commission, Halton hour per child from local authorities. a personalised local service. every council’s funding and how much they House, 22—23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD “This has just not been thought through,” Last year the government said school-led pass on. This gives greater transparency to she said. “There is a gap between the amount nurseries were at the heart of its plans, and parents. Learning & Skills Events, we get from government and the actual encouraged schools to consider teaming “A Conservative government will start Consultancy and Training Ltd cost to us of providing the places. The main up with private, voluntary and independent building capacity in the sector from this year, 161-165 Greenwich High Road problem is that the overheads have gone up in nurseries. including capital funding for new nursery London SE10 8JA the past few years.” But Ms Cowley said schools were already provision in schools. We will also consult on T: 020 8123 4778 E: [email protected] Pre-schools are currently using funds from running into problems with delivering free the right level of hourly funding rates paid to parents who pay for provision to offset the childcare places for two-year-olds, which had providers in different parts of the country.” SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 3 NEWS UTC shuts, just as Cameron promises ‘one in every city’

LAURA MCINERNEY AND REBECCA COONEY recruit learners, with five of the 17 opened in COMPARING THE UTCs

@SCHOOLSWEEK 2013 recording pupil numbers more than 80 SCHOOL OFFERS ALL EBACC SUBJECTS per cent below expectation. 2010 When David Cameron launched his party’s Black Country UTC had about one-third of JCB ACADEMY Y manifesto at Swindon’s University Technical its expected pupil numbers every year since 2011 College (UTC) on Tuesday, he claimed that opening in 2012. Figures for this year have not BLACK COUNTRY UTC - DUE TOA CLOSE Y he wanted to see similar institutions opening been published. 2012 ASTON UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING ACADEMY Y in “every city”. That evening, governors of UTCs have also fared badly in Ofsted HACKNEY UTC - DUE TO CLOSE Y a flagship UTC announced their decision to inspections with three of the five inspected UTC CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE N close it. labelled as “requires improvement” or 2013 Facing low student numbers, financial “inadequate”. None has achieved an BRISTOL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING ACADEMY Y challenges and a “disappointing Ofsted”, “outstanding”. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE UTC Y the Black Country UTC, sponsored by the In a further blow to UTCs, the Conservative VISIONS LEARNING TRUST, BURNLEY N University of Wolverhampton and Walsall manifesto has pledged that schools “refusing” DAVENTRY UTC Y College, will close on August 31. to offer a specific set of academic subjects ELSTREE UTC N Black Country UTC principal Paul Averis – English, maths, science, a language and LIVERPOOL LIFE SCIENCES UTC Y (pictured) said: “This has been a difficult history or geography – will not be able to PLYMOUTH UTC N decision for all concerned.” achieve the top Ofsted rating. READING UTC Y ROYAL GREENWICH UTC Y Of the Black Country UTC’s 158 learners, Schools Week analysis of UTC curriculum as SHEFFIELD UTC N 57 were due to complete their studies before advertised on their websites or prospectuses SILVERSTONE UTC N closure while the rest would be “supported to found that one in three did not appear to WIGAN UTC (16-19) move to an alternative provision”, a Walsall offer these subjects. Six did not offer any 2014 College spokesperson said. humanities at GCSE and six did not offer any ELUTEC N He added that the UTC would “work closely” foreign language study. NORFOLK UTC Y with the Department for Education, Walsall The Baker Dearing Educational Trust, THE GM N College and other local education institutions which oversees UTCs, said it supported the HEATHROW AVIATION ENGINEERING UTC Y “to ensure a smooth transition” for learners. decision to close Black Country, although it THE LEIGH UTC Y Of the 30 UTCs opened since 2010, Black did so with “regret”. ENERGY COAST UTC Y Country is the second to announce closure. On the curriculum changes, a statement LINCOLN UTC Y SIR CHARLES KAO UTC Y Hackney UTC will also close at the end of from the trust said that it expected some TOTTENHAM UTC N the school year. GCSEs to remain optional rather than CAMBRIDGE UTC Y The colleges, a type of free school with a compulsory at the colleges. It also defended SWINDON UTC Y university sponsor and a “vocational” the low student numbers, stating that it WATFORD UTC Y focus, admit learners from year 10 expected these to rise. WMG ACADEMY Y to 13 and aim to offer a route into “The technical education pathway employment or higher education offered by UTCs is wholly new to the or Sheffield are proving they can attract large start with their technical education and a great within a particular industry. English school system and we expect numbers of students. connection to the world of work. Ninety per Fifteen more are due to open in 2016 it will take time for UTCs to reach “Most young people don’t change school cent of UTC students surveyed last year told us and a further five in 2017. their maximum capacity. Other at 14 but, for those that know where their they were glad to have made the switch.” However, many have struggled to UTCs in cities such as Liverpool interests lie, a UTC gives them a really good Parents question inspectors’ special needs training

ANN MCGAURAN additional inspectors (AIs) of special said. @ANNMCGAURAN schools received an “initial day of An Ofsted enhanced training”, reviewed to take spokesperson said A parent of two deaf children is angry into account changes to the SEND code teams that inspected about Ofsted’s refusal to tell him if of practice. They also attended an extra special schools had two inspection teams who separately training day each year focusing on “considerable experience assessed a Berkshire school for deaf national developments in SEND. of inspecting special children in January and October last Mr Keer then asked whether any education, including year had specialist training. member of the teams that inspected provision for sensory Mary Hare School in Newbury was Mary Hare had “not completed the impairment”. deemed to be outstanding by Ofsted in enhanced training programme for She added: “While January 2014, but a second inspection inspecting SEND provision” by the time there is no legal nine months later found it required they carried out the inspections. requirement that an improvement. A monitoring visit in Ofsted said that while it did hold the inspector of schools February found that senior leaders and information, it would not release it “as it for the deaf should governors were not taking action to was the personal information of the HMI hold a teacher of the tackle areas requiring improvement and the additional inspectors (AIs)”. deaf qualification, all Matt Keer is one of a group of parents Responding, Mr Keer said: “This inspectors are required who submitted a complaint to Ofsted in ‘enhanced training programme’ is pretty to hold qualified teacher January about their concerns that none unimpressive. For one thing, it’s just two status. In addition, of the inspectors had “the qualifications, days. What it doesn’t do – at all – is give inspections of special Parent, Matt Keer experience and expertise necessary inspectors a grounding in specific types schools are carried out to inspect deaf educational provision of SEN.” by inspectors who have completed said it shared the view that inspections properly”. Inspection experience was “not enhanced training in the inspection for of special schools for deaf children To ascertain the qualifications of enough”, he added. “Ofsted’s inspectors special education needs and disabilities. should be carried out by experts. inspectors, Mr Keer asked Ofsted for need the right qualifications, front- We are confident that this provides the “It is vital that the inspectors should the content and format of special line experience and skills if they are appropriate level of expertise in these be able to communicate with all pupils. educational needs training undertaken to inspect deaf education provision cases.” Parents of deaf children need to have by inspectors. properly.” They should have a specialist Ian Noon, head of policy and research confidence in Ofsted inspections . . . The education watchdog said that teaching for the deaf qualification, he at the National Deaf Children’s Society, urgent action is needed to address this.” 4 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 NEWS It’s not what you POORLY PERFORMING TRUST MAKES TOP 100 LIST play, it’s how long ANN MCGAURAN HOW KEMNAL RANKS ON RBS SE100 INDEX you do it for. . . @ANNMCGAURAN RANK ORGANISATION REGION ANN MCGAURAN 1 WORTH-IT PROJECTS EAST MIDLANDS An academy trust under fire from Ofsted for @ANNMCGAURAN 2 THE BIDGLEY POWER FOUNDATION WEST MIDLANDS poor performance has emerged as the highest 3 MANCHESTER ACTIVE VOICES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME NORTH WEST Children who play computer games for ranked schools group on a list comparing 4 PROJECT MOTORHOUSE SOUTH EAST more than three hours a day are more the growth of social enterprises in youth and 5 CHALLENGER TROOP COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY SOUTH EAST likely to be hyperactive, not interested in education. 6 THE BRILLIANT CLUB LONDON school and get involved in fights, suggests The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) 7 REALITY BYTES UK LONDON was ranked as number 16 for growth in 8 CARING MINDS SOUTH WEST a new study. the youth and education sector of the RBS 9 ENABLING ENTERPRISE LONDON University of Oxford researchers looked SE100, a list designed to benchmark the 10 BEYOND YOUTH SOUTHEAST at the effects of different types of games – performance of social enterprises amongst … and the time spent playing them – on social 16 KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST LONDON their peers. and academic behaviour. Last year Ofsted carried out a focused They found that the time playing games inspection of six TKAT primary academies, questionnaire and that the growth index She said the Worth-it Projects had could be linked with problem behaviour, with telephone conversations with the was calculated “purely on an organisation’s secured investment from the Unlimited but that there was no link between violent headteachers of a further 12 academies. financial growth and turnover and is just a Awards, a social enterprise that helps other games and real-life aggression or a child’s It concluded that an “overwhelming percentage growth or shrinkage in turnover companies grow. academic performance. proportion” of pupils attending one of year on year”. Enabling Enterprise supports schools in The researchers relied on teachers’ the academies were not receiving a good The top youth and education social delivering a core enterprise curriculum, and assessments of behaviour of 12 and education. enterprise for growth was Worth-it Projects, works with pupils from age 5 to 18. It came Social enterprises wishing to be included a social enterprise that provides continuous out as number nine on the growth index and 13-year-olds at a school in the southeast of in the RBS SE100 growth rankings submit professional development (CPD) and training received the maximum impact rating of 10 England. Teachers reported whether the financial information, including year-on-year to professionals who work in schools with out of 10. 200 pupils in the study group were helpful, changes in turnover, profit and loss, and students at risk of mental health problems. Managing director Tom Ravenscroft their academic achievements, and whether income streams. The enterprise works with schools in the (pictured) said that being involved in the they were rowdy or likely to get into fights. Those wishing to take part in a East Midlands and the north of England. index had been a positive exercise. These assessments were matched with separate “impact index” also complete a It received a ranking of three out of 10 on “It’s quite helpful to try to benchmark the responses to a questionnaire that asked questionnaire. Information requested the impact index. yourself on how you are doing. It’s useful to each of the pupils how long they played includes whether the enterprise has Its chief executive, Liz Robson, know if you are reaching scale as soon as you games each day, and the type of games they a way of measuring the relative told Schools Week she was “really could be. preferred. social value of its activities and pleased” with the growth ranking. “We take the impact of our work very The study found that no game features the number of women on its “We pride ourselves on being a seriously. Trying to gauge how we are doing could be linked with any negative patterns boards. The impact index ranks social enterprise that helps compared to others was another motivation, organisations according to an people learn and develop as it can be hard to work out how you are of behaviour, but that children who impact measurement score out of 10. new skills to improve mental doing as a smaller social enterprise.” played video games with a cooperative The project manager for RBS wellbeing. Schools can make a TKAT said it was unable to respond in and competitive element had significantly SE100, Alyce Biddle, said TKAT had big difference to mental wellbeing if time for publication on why it had opted to be fewer emotional problems or problems not yet filled out an impact they know how.” assessed for the index. with peers. Children who chose to play solitary games were found to do well academically at Gateway, said in a statement: “There request on the costs, the DfE said it did not and not to get involved in fights. FREE SCHOOL are a number of challenges to securing hold the information “prior to deferral”. The paper, How the Quantity and a building in Brent and that includes It said that it did publish the amount Quality of Electronic Gaming Relates to PULLS THE rising land prices and competition against of money spent by free schools before Adolescents Academic Engagement and developers for all available land, which opening, but only after they had actually Psychosocial Adjustment, is published in PLUG AS SITE means the Department for Education (DfE) opened. is not able to compete financially. That is New secondary free schools get a pre- the journal, Psychology of Popular Media not to say it is impossible but it seems very opening grant of £300,000 to cover costs, Culture. SEARCH FAILS unlikely.” including staff salaries. When a project is Lead author Dr Andy Przybylski, from He said significant bids for land from the cancelled, the unspent funds are returned the University of Oxford Internet Institute, JOHN DICKENS Education Funding Agency were turned to the DfE. @JOHNDICKENSSW said: “We can see links between some types down, including a property developer Additional cash can also be given to of games and children’s behaviour, as well pulling out at the last minute. deferred schools on a case-by-case basis, but as time spent playing. However, we cannot A “chaotic” search for free school sites in “The trustees felt that to go on for the DfE does not publish the information. say that game play causes good or bad a north London borough has ended with a another year and campaign to recruit One free school that did open in Brent behaviour. proposed school for 700 pupils folding and students without a building would not be in in 2014 was Katharine Birbalsingh’s “We also know that the risks attached to another forced to delay opening for a year. the best interests of the local community,” Michaela Community School, originally game-playing are small. A range of other Gateway Academy and Gladstone School he said. planned for south London. The school factors in a child’s life will influence their were both supposed to open in Brent Paul Phillips was appointed Gladstone’s moved into a building in Wembley Park in in September last year, but both have principal-designate in January 2014. September after the DfE couldn’t find a site behaviour more, as this research suggests struggled to find suitable sites – a situation The job was advertised with a salary of in Wandsworth. that playing electronic games may be a that local campaigners and politicians call between £78,000 and £88,000. His LinkedIn Local teaching unions questioned the statistically significant but minor factor in “chaotic” and a “shambles”. profile shows he is also a specialist leader need for another secondary school when how children progress academically or on Gateway, which planned to educate 700 of education at the Academies Enterprise the borough faces a shortage of primary their emotional wellbeing.” 11 to 18-year-olds, decided to fold rather Trust. places. Co-author Allison Mishkin said: “These than defer for a second year and raise the Gateway employed Mr Kyriacou and a The pressure to find suitable sites in results highlight that playing video hopes of parents only “to see the school deputy head. the borough has now stepped up after the games may just be another style of play deferred again”. Attempts by campaigners to find out DfE’s approval last September for One that children engage with in the digital Gladstone now hopes to welcome its first how much has been spent at both schools Degree Academy, which aims to provide 420 age, with the benefits felt from the act of pupils on a temporary site in September – before a pupil has walked through the primary and 300 secondary places. The DfE playing rather than the medium itself 2016. doors – have proved fruitless. continues to work with both One Degree being the significant factor.” Johnny Kyriacou, headteacher-designate In response to a Freedom of Information and Gladstone on securing sites. AN EDUCATIONAL PAPER DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED YET? Want to stay ahead of the crowd on schools news? Like to know what the education secretary is planning, or which school just got the best Ofsted ever?

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ONLINE | EMAIL | PHONE 6 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 ELECTION ELECTION 2015: WHAT THE PARTIES SAY THEY WILL DO FOR EDUCATION freddie whittaker AP/Press Association Images @fcdwhittaker

In the fi rst of a series of spreads on the election campaign, Freddie Whittaker reports from the manifesto launches of Labour, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. See schoolsweek.co.uk for full lists of the parties’ education policies, and stay tuned for our general election supplement, out with edition 26 next week CHILDCARE, CAREERS ADVICE, WORK EXPERIENCE

f childcare dominates the line-up on the political racetrack, it’s Labour that fi red Ithe starting gun. From a mere one-sentence mention in its education manifesto last week, Labour this week brought back the issue of wraparound childcare for primary pupils. The initial proposal to reintroduce what knows what they are doing.” was once called the “extended schools Labour initially proposed to divert programme” was largely ignored during £50m from the universities access and the education manifesto launch in favour outreach budget to pay 1,000 trained careers of headlines about Labour’s plan to off er advisers, each working with a cluster of two face-to-face careers advice to all pupils or three schools. from age 11. The policy prompted questions as to But the extended schools policy was whether every pupil in every secondary upgraded in Labour’s full manifesto school in England would be able to benefi t document – and suddenly the world began from the work of just 1,000 advisers working to notice. in such small clusters. Alan Dyson, professor of education at the But after being pushed by Schools Week, Centre for Equity in Education at Manchester Labour has clarifi ed that the number may Institute of Education, was quick to point exceed 1,000 and that more than three out that the new plan, which gives a “legal schools could form a cluster. guarantee” of wraparound school childcare A spokesperson explained that the party for all primary pupils between 8am and 6pm, was not yet putting specifi c numbers to the fell short of its predecessor, which included policy, but confi rmed that clusters would use David Cameron Nick Clegg secondary pupils. local advisers “at their discretion” and would Professor Dyson reviewed the extended have to ensure all pupils benefi ted from face- schools scheme in 2010 before its demise to-face advice. UTCS APLENTY, TEST RESITS, EXTRA CHILDCARE and told Schools Week that the last Labour The party has also pointed to a 2014 government’s policy was a “bold attempt to report by the National Careers Council that rethink the role schools could play in the said giving all schools access to a career hildcare may have been one of the lives of children and their families”. He said development professional, qualifi ed to level 6 Conservatives’ top three manifesto it was “one of the most ambitious attempts or above, in local clusters would cost £43.7m Cpledges, but it was the party’s anywhere in the world” to do so. based on 3,280 schools. no-holds barred support for the fl oundering He described the coalition’s “failure” to Labour also pledged that it would bring University Technical Colleges (UTCs) build on Labour’s work in this area as a back work experience for 14 to 16-year-olds, programme that raised the highest eyebrows missed opportunity but added: “The childcare and that the party would require all pupils to across education. proposal in the [new] study English and maths The party’s support for the colleges is so uncertainty about whether another party will Labour manifesto is, as I until they were 18. While great that they held their manifesto launch have the commitment to UTCs that we have, understand it, much more its planned “Technical at UTC Swindon. The programme was but UTCs are a very important part of our limited.” Baccalaureate” was also mentioned several times by the Prime overall education off er. The plan would also rely known to involve Minister and education secretary Nicky “State-maintained, academies, free schools, on volunteers and parental compulsory English and Morgan, and enjoyed pride of place in the grammar schools, UTCs; they all absolutely payment. Speaking on maths, this is the fi rst time manifesto document itself. play a part in what I think is a very exciting BBC’s Newsnight, shadow the party confi rmed that all But later that same day, as the education landscape in this country.” education secretary young people would study Conservatives promised to put a UTC “within She said the “very popular” UTCs were Tristram Hunt admitted the two subjects. reach of every English city”, their plan part of the Conservatives’ commitment to that volunteers – “all In the full manifesto suff ered a setback with the announcement vocational education. kinds of people” and not launch on Monday, leader that Black Country UTC was due to close “UTCs play a very important part in … just qualifi ed teachers Ed Miliband mentioned only due to a fatal combination of low student supplying the future engineers that we need – would be needed. All a few key school policies numbers, fi nancial challenges, staffi ng in this country. What we want to see, and would be police-checked. – such as wraparound capacity and a second consecutive Ofsted what we have set out, is a UTC within reach of On careers advice, childcare. inspection blow (see page 3). every city in this country.” the Labour said it would On funding, he said: Schools Week’s sister publication FE Week The manifesto also confi rmed a previous reintroduce face-to-face “Britain succeeds not when revealed last September that some UTCs were announcement from David Cameron that a advice for every child. our schools and hospitals are operating at just 10 per cent capacity. future Conservative government would open Mr Hunt told the BBC’s Today programme: cut back to the bone, but when we invest so Nevertheless, education secretary Nicky 500 free schools, and would continue to force “The adviser gets to know you, crucially, they can strive to be the best in the world.” Morgan has remained upbeat about the the academisation of schools receiving a rather than having a sort of slightly unfocused Labour has committed to protect the entire programme. Speaking to Schools Week, “requires improvement” Osted rating, unless conversation with whichever teacher has education budget, including early years, she said: “We will see an improvement they could show signs of improvement. been allocated careers advice that year. schools and the further education sector in in recruitment. One of the things with Trailered in the national press over Easter, You have a dedicated professional who “real terms”. the election is [that] there’s always some the party pledged that children not reaching SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 7

ELECTION 2015: WHAT THE PARTIES SAY THEY WILL DO FOR EDUCATION MORE FUNDING, FREE MEALS, A ‘PROTECTOR OF SCHOOLS’

he Liberal Democrats faced a conundrum: how to distance Tthemselves from the coalition without distancing themselves from the policies that they are proud of. The answer? Announce more funding. The Lib Dems have pledged to spend £2.5bn more on education for 2 to 18-year- from budgets which were, in many cases, olds than Labour, and £5bn more than the already severely stretched. “Without such a Conservatives. They claim to have reached commitment a situation that is already very that fi gure by taking into account the 460,000 tough will become a crisis. Young people extra pupils who will enter the education deserve the best chance in life we can stream between now and 2020, and possibly give them, and investing in their protecting the budget for all learners. future is also vital to the country.” In an interview with Schools Week Other Lib Dem manifesto commitments following the manifesto launch, education will be familiar to followers of the 2010 minister and Lib Dem policy committee election. Both then, and now, the party chair David Laws confi rmed that increased committed to creating an “independent education spending would be a “red line” for educational standards authority” that would any coalition involvement after May 7. oversee curriculum and examinations at “I can’t contemplate us wanting to go into arms’ length from the government. coalition in the next parliament unless we Unlike previous manifestos, and in much deliver what’s on the front of the debate at the party’s page of this document, annual conference, and the education funding there is no commitment pledge we are making is automatically to return precisely one of those. academies to local authority “We are incredibly oversight. However, passionate about there is a commitment to Nick Clegg Ed Miliband education, not just because abolish Regional School of economic growth but Commissioners – who because of social justice. currently scrutinise UTCS APLENTY, TEST RESITS, EXTRA CHILDCARE We need this extra money academy performance – to make sure not just that and instead have the local specifi ed levels in their “exams” at the end In his speech we protect education, but authority step in where a of primary school would be required to at the manifesto that we can deliver the real school faced problems. resit them at secondary school. The party launch, Mr improvements in the early Building on the party’s also said that every pupil must sit all the Cameron said: “A years with more one-to- fl agship policy of free subjects in the English Baccalaureate good life should one tuition. lunches for children aged at GCSE, including modern foreign mean that raising “So the fact we have put 7 and under, the manifesto languages and a choice between history your family feels it on the front page of the committed the party to or geography, alongside the core like an incredible manifesto, this is something we would expect funding free meals for all children at primary subjects of English, maths and science. and joyful journey, to deliver in coalition in the next parliament.” school. In contrast to Labour’s focus on but it shouldn’t be a At the launch, party leader Nick Clegg Aware that his party is unlikely to be the primary children, the Conservatives permanent struggle argued that the Conservatives had agreed to lead in a future government, Mr Clegg off ered focused on considerably boosting the with the bills. protect the education budget, including an it as a protector of schools in the face of amount of free childcare provision for “That’s why our allowance for more learners, but not in real stronger-willed parties. working parents of three and four- second commitment terms – which meant that it would not rise “So ask yourself this: Do you want Nigel year-olds. to working people is on childcare.” in line with infl ation. Labour, he said, would Farage walking through the door of No 10? In a briefi ng with party bosses following Unsurprisingly, education unions have protect it in real terms without allowing for Do you want Alex Salmond sat at the Cabinet the manifesto launch, Schools Week was told been highly critical of various elements. the rise in pupil numbers. Only the Lib Dems table? Or do you want the Liberal Democrats? that the additional 15 hours of free childcare On childcare, Association of Teachers and would do both. “The Liberal Democrats will add a heart to would be available only for working parents Lecturers (ATL) general secretary Dr Mary The policy has the support of the a Conservative government and we will in both single and double-parent households. Bousted called for a more effi cient use of Association of School and College Leaders, add a brain to a Labour one. We In the latter, both must be working to be funds. whose deputy general secretary Malcolm won’t allow the Conservatives to eligible. She said: “Providing additional school Trobe said it was “very much welcome. cut too much and jeopardise our Parents would be considered to be working nursery places, led by highly trained, “This is essential in ensuring that schools and hospitals.” if they earned the equivalent of eight hours qualifi ed, valued and supported early years’ funding keeps pace with the forecast per week on the minimum wage, currently staff would be more valuable to children than increase in the number of pupils, so that £32.50. simply giving extra hours of free childcare.” schools are able to meet the extra demands The £350m cost of the policy, promised The National Union of Teachers criticised on them. to be introduced by 2017, will be paid for by the plan for re-testing primary pupils. General “We also welcome their commitment to curbing pension relief for higher earners. secretary Christine Blower said: “The last increase spending in early years and in 16-19 It will prick the ears of schools tempted to thing that schools or pupils need is yet more education, which is currently very poorly open early years’ provision on their sites - the high-stakes testing. Recent research shows funded.” coalition has off ered grants to schools in a bid that children are becoming conditioned to the He said schools and colleges were facing

to encourage more places. idea of school as a place for exams.” the prospect of meeting rising costs David Laws 8 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 NEWS IN brief Academy sponsor Union criticises four-day consultation on redundancies

has financial notice JOHN DICKENS to improve lifted @JOHNDICKENSSW The Education Funding Agency (EFA) has lifted a financial notice to improve (FNTi) The National Union of Teachers has from academy sponsor The Education criticised a school for its “sham” consultation Fellowship. on making several staff redundant. The FNTi was imposed in April 2014 Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School because of significant weaknesses in in St Albans, Hertfordshire, wrote to staff the trust’s financial management and governance. days before they broke for the Easter Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School Pic: Google The trust was told to urgently resolve the holidays informing them of its plan to make breaches and ensure compliance in the compulsory redundancies to help to balance areas of trustee appointments and benefits. the books. needs to reduce a £500,000 deficit. It is only provided in “rare circumstances Johnson Kane, chief executive of the It is believed 10 posts face the axe by the “It’s hard to understand how you can where schools are facing significant financial fellowship, which is responsible for 12 primary and secondary schools, said it was end of term. Consultation closes on April 24, suddenly at the beginning of April realise pressures” and where a “robust and now a changed organisation and had a new four days after teachers get back from their you have a deficit of that amount. It doesn’t affordable” recovery plan is in place. set of trustees. break. happen overnight,” Ms Bucky said. “They The school was rated as inadequate by The fellowship receives advice from the Hilary Bucky, regional secretary for the could have started discussing this a Ofsted in November 2013 and was given a John Lewis Partnership and is structured Eastern NUT, told Schools Week: “We are long time ago.” “requires improvement” in November so that all staff and students are “fellows” and are represented at senior councils by aware of the situation and are concerned The school is run by the Diocese of last year. A section five inspection last elected representatives. about the lateness of the announcement and Westminster Academy Trust. It did not month noted “effective action” was being Mr Kane added: “We are all very pleased to the very short consultation period. respond to request for comment from taken to improve. have confirmation that the financial notice to “We will obviously be opposed to any Schools Week. In a letter to parents, headteacher Declan improve has been lifted.” compulsory redundancies. But a statement released on behalf of the Linnane said: “Our plan for moving to good “The main thing that concerns me is how school to The Hertfordshire Advertiser read: and beyond prioritises the areas which TEACHER BANNED FOR late they are in starting the consultation. “A redundancy consultation process has require improvement. Staff and governors CHANGING PUPILS’ KEY Only lasting three or four working days – started on proposals to align expenditure to share these priorities and remain committed STAGE 2 PAPERS it’s not much of a consultation. It’s a bit of a income and that process will continue after to the hard work necessary to make these a sham. the Easter holiday. No final decisions have reality for the good of our students.” A teacher has been banned from teaching “That’s what I’ll be objecting to. If they been made.” According to the November 2013 school indefinitely after changing pupils’ key stage want to have a meaningful consultation, they It is not known if the school had applied workforce census, the school has an 2 papers. need to allow more time.” for emergency funding before it considered equivalent of 41.6 full-time teachers and Ian Guffick also asked pupils to change Ms Bucky said the proposed staff redundancies. 5.1 teaching assistants. It has a ratio of their own exam sheets at Mitton Manor Primary School, in Tewkesbury. redundancies would be made by September. The Department for Education can help to 16.6 pupils per teacher, above the national Mr Guffick admitted changing pupils’ It is believed the school has told staff it cover deficit funding on a case-by-case basis. average of 15. answers, but said he did it to make them more legible. A report, released today, said he had shown “insight and remorse”. But a National College for Teaching and Major firms shelve ‘approved’ A-level lists Leadership panel found his actions to be “dishonest”. ANN MCGAURAN consultancy recruiters also told Schools A report based on the hearing stated: @ANNMCGAURAN Week they have widened their selection “While he may have felt under pressure criteria for entry level positions. to achieve good results for himself and Fears that some A-level pupils are A spokesperson for KPMG said it did the school, that can no way excuse his behaviour.” discriminated against in the workplace not use a list of approved A-levels. “KPMG He was banned from classrooms across because of their subject choices may prove accepts all A-level grades, with the exception the country indefinitely for unacceptable unfounded as employers move towards a of general studies, along with A-level professional conduct. more open approach. equivalent qualifications including BTECs,” Concerns have been raised by teaching Global strategy consultant OC&C she said. This year it had also implemented unions that the high-stakes nature of the tests puts pressure on teachers to cheat. previously used a list of approved A-levels a “balanced scorecard” that better took in to as a screening filter for CV scoring that account a broader number of factors when NFER gets the left off less traditional but still popular selecting for first interviews. go-ahead for national subjects, such as psychology, sociology and A spokesperson for PWC said the business studies. company did not have an approved list of reference tests The company, which receives 3,000 A-level subjects. “The vast majority of our applications a year for about 30 vacancies, graduate opportunities are open to students Ofqual has announced that the National was unhappy with the diversity of its from any degree discipline.” Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) intake, particularly on gender and Deloitte UK also said that it did not have will deliver the new national reference socioeconomic grounds. an approved list of subjects. tests for a select group of year 11 groups, A review of applicants showed that The change of heart was welcomed by beginning in March 2017. women and students from less wealthy most likely to keep pupils’ options open LKMco, a think-and-action tank working The tests will be taken by students at 33 backgrounds were more likely to take when applying to leading universities, to help young people make a fulfilling randomly select schools each year. They will take under an hour to complete. non-traditional subjects. backing maths, further maths, physics, transition to adulthood that has raised the The results will be analysed only at a Art and design, general studies, media chemistry, history, geography, modern and problem of subject choice and university national level. Pupils will not receive an studies, design and technology, PE, and classical languages, and English literature. selection discrimination in its reports. individual grade. drama were all excluded from OC&C’s This is also the group of subjects that Director Loic Menzies said: “Young people Glenys Stacey, chief regulator at original list. the Conservative party has pledged to make from disadvantaged backgrounds struggle to Ofqual, said the tests would advance the The company has now broadened its list compulsory for all pupils should it win access the same opportunities organisation’s ability to detect change to remove unintentional recruitment biases on May 7. in life as their more advantaged peers, changes in pupil performance. and is urging other employers to do the Pam Tatlow (pictured) , chief executive but too often, schools pick up the sole “We will act cautiously as we build our same. of million+, a university think tank, blame for this while structural barriers understanding of the information that the It said the list of approved subjects was congratulated OC&C for it initiative “as are ignored. It’s encouraging to see some tests will provide and how this is used in copied some years earlier from a leading it will ensure the talents of students from corporates scrutinising their own practices GCSE awarding.” NFER is a not-for-profit provider of university’s list of approved subjects. It a much wider range of backgrounds and to start levelling the playing field. I hope educational research services. closely matches the “facilitating subjects” schools are taken into account”. all employers, as well as universities said by the Russell Group to be the courses A number of major management follow suit.” SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 9

SILENT TEARS AS LEONIE REMEMBERS A FALLEN SOLDIER

JOHN DICKENS @JOHNDICKENSSW On location

John Dickens joins a group of 52 pupils from Ormiston academies on a visit to the battlefi elds of the Somme

ore than 72,000 names are etched across the giant columns of the MThiepval Memorial in northern France. Each remembers a Commonwealth soldier who lost his life during the Battle of the Somme. But Leonie Hunt solemnly gazes at just one as she wipes away a tear: Harold George Moore, a rifl eman in the London Regiment. Her grandad’s uncle. Clutching a bundle of papers containing the few details she could fi nd on the internet about Harold, the 14-year-old is now just metres from his fi nal resting place. As another tear falls, classmate Meshach Clockwise from above: Shadares puts an arm around her. The pair Sophie Downton and Treeve White from Cowes Enterprise College at the grave of a young stand in silence, remembering the war to end solider they had researched all wars that took place 100 years ago on the Daniel Powell from Cliff Park Ormiston Academy same ground they now stand on. and Leonie Hunt from Ormiston Rivers Academy join Lance Corporal Liam Parker in laying a There were about 450,000 casualties on wreath at the Last Post Ceremony in Ypres The Somme, one of the bloodiest battles on Reporter John Dickens at the entrance to the the Western Front during the First World War. Tyne Cot Cemetery and exploring the trenches at Passchendaele Memorial Museum in Belgium With the warmth of the crisp spring sun fi lling the air, Leonie gathers her thoughts and leaves a message from her family on a local radio, doing presentations in small cross next to Harold’s name. “A brave other schools. We want to reach man to a loyal family, rest in peace.” fi ve million people.” “I’m the only person to visit him from my Leonie and Meshach will share family,” she says. “It’s hard to explain how I their stories through a drama felt, but it was emotional. presentation. Treeve White, from “People must have loved him, as a brother, Cowes Enterprise College, in the The buglers of the Ypres volunteer fi re an uncle. But they did not get the chance to Isle of Wight, will share his through local brigade have gathered under the Menin Gate remember him at his memorial, so it would media. at 8pm every day since 1928 to play the Last have been quite hard.” The 12-year-old based his project on Post. Standing in the cobbled road under the The pupils, from Ormiston Rivers Academy, under-age soldiers in the war, after being huge arch, the evocative notes of the fi nal in Essex, were two of 52 from 26 Ormiston inspired by his great-great-great grandad’s salute to the fallen reverberate from the walls. academies who spent four days this week story. A yellow glow from the inside lighting visiting museums, battlefi eld sites, memorials While helping his granddad move house illuminates the imposing arch. Those under and cemeteries in Belgium and France. earlier this year, he stumbled across an old its walls remember in silence. The trip is part of the First World War box in his attic that contained his relative’s “For me to represent everybody here is an Centenary Battlefi eld Tours Programme, set war medals. honourable thing,” Leonie says. up with funding from the Department for “I found out he had ran away to join the The tour also takes in the Langemark Education and Department for Communities army when he was just 14,” he says. “But he Cemetery, a German war grave site, Neuve and Local Government, to promote a deeper got found out and sent back home.” Chapelle, a memorial for Indian, Pakistan understanding of the Great War. Treeve also discovered the story of a and Bangladeshi soldiers, and Pheasant By March 2019, two pupils and a teacher 14-year-old soldier who died in the war, Wood cemetery, where Australian soldiers are from 4,000 secondary schools will have and another 17-year-old – F C Sedge – who remembered. visited the front. was buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, which we Driving through the now picture-pretty, But the real work starts when the pupils visited on Monday. sleepy villages dotted around the rolling hills, return home, under the Legacy 110 Project. Through online research back in the it is diffi cult to comprehend that just 100 years They are encouraged to share their UK, Treeve fi nds the teen’s burial location. ago it was the centre of a bloody battlefi eld, a experiences with at least 110 people – so He stands in front of it, remembering. “In sea of sludge. spreading their personal stories across their memory of your bravery and loyalty to your The red-brick mud was the only way pilots communities. country,” his message reads. could tell there once were villages here. Jugjit Chima, national education The endless rows of pristine white A well-known war memorial inscribing coordinator at the Institute of Education, headstones at Tyne Cot glisten in the reads: “when you go home tell them of us and which provides the programme alongside early afternoon sun. It is the largest say: for your tomorrow we gave our today”. educational tour company Equity, says: Commonwealth war grave site, with 11,954 The touching and inspiring stories “We’re here on a mission to take this back. soldiers buried here. brought to life on this trip will ensure the These pupils are two ambassadors, chosen to Treeve and Leonie later represent the group legacy lives on. spread the word. at a wreath laying at the Last Post Ceremony, To fi nd out more, visit “Some are writing blogs, speaking on their in Ypres, Belgium. www.centenarybattlefi eldtours.org 10 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 NEWS

MP wants to know who’s top of the (rubble) pile JOHN DICKENS £250,000 a year in repairs alone. of schools across the country to collate published online. @JOHNDICKENSSW But schools minister David Laws said property data, which was then used to The government faced accusations it had in parliament last month that he had “no rank schools in terms of the need for been “abusing its power” after Schools Week The government has refused to publish a plans” to publish the data. investment. revealed in February that 70 per cent of list of decaying schools that missed out on Mr Whittaker, now a Conservative But Mr Laws said publishing the schools receiving phase two funding were in priority building funds. candidate, told Schools Week: “It should be rankings could be misleading without government-held constituencies. Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker called made open, honest and transparent. They taking into account other information Eight schools in Bradford missed out on for the listing to be made public so that the should be developing these surveys so supplied by schools and local authorities. funding. Ralph Berry, Bradford council’s robustness of the schools’ property data there is a true ranking and every local Mr Whittaker said: “If the survey is not executive member for education, said the survey could be scrutinised. authority and school knows exactly where it the only basis, in the interests of openness refusal to publish rankings did nothing to It followed two schools in his area, Calder is on that list.” and transparency why will the minister not dispel rumours of a political fix. High and Todmorden High, both missing The Department for Education has let everyone know what other things are “Substantial sums of money have been out on funding under the Priority School now agreed to send inspectors back to taken into account?” given out. It doesn’t look reasonable or fair Building Programme – despite problems resurvey Todmorden High. Mr Whittaker Mr Laws said applicants were encouraged on first sight. with gas leaks, sewer collapses and asbestos. claimed this could mean the schools were to submit additional local information to “Unless we know how they came to these Calder High was described in 2009 by retrospectively added to list of those supplement bids because “every survey has decisions - which criteria were used and former education secretary Michael Gove getting a slice of the multi-billion pound limitations”. what priority outscored which - we are as “one of the worst schools I have seen in rebuilding pot. He added the methodology used never going to know how to go forward.” terms of fabric” and Todmorden is costing Inspectors were sent to tens of thousands to prioritise schools had been

EDITOR’S COMMENT @miss_mcinerney | [email protected]

n the next few weeks, the public will turn however, are the ongoing implementation be necessary. bias from an admissions process otherwise their attention to what the political parties issues of exam reform. There’s also a serious question about reliant on personal statements and predicted Iare offering for the future. The school Ofqual, the exam regulator, are working access. One teacher responsible grades. community will prick its ears with regards to hard to achieve a smooth transition to the for sixth formers noted the stark Having spent time speaking with the changes it can expect to endure. new ‘more rigorous’ GCSEs and A levels. But difference between her pupils those many admissions tutors at both Oxford So far, the picture is one of continuity they cannot control the knock-on impacts, from private schools. “I can’t see and Cambridge, there is no doubt in education with added austerity. Unlike one of which is highlighted by Cambridge’s that it will be a step forward for every admittance decision is sweated previous years, schools are not being singled active consideration of a universal entrance access and diversity,” she wrote. and changes will not be entered out for extra funds. There will be no new exam. On the other hand, a senior into lightly. Let’s hope a premiums or fancy buildings. Protected It is quite extraordinary that a top lecturer at Cambridge said that solution to suit everyone can funding is the best offer. university is so concerned about the he felt a common entrance be found. More pressing than future glittering prizes, reliability of GCSEs that its own tests might exam would remove some SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 11 COMMENT

READERS’ WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU @SCHOOLSWEEK [email protected] email tweet WEBSITE REPLY WWW.SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK “If I were education secretary I would…” the students, staff and parents would not have achieved its DfE scores academy chains Daisy Christodoulou current successes. Everyone at Parkwood and E-ACT wish David a very enjoyable retirement from being a Member of for fi rst time John Brown, London Parliament, truly well deserved.

Absolutely, 100% agree, very achievable too, £1.8m to ‘eradicate’ homophobic bullying reply of the week Statistical First Release is archaic and hard to use, RAISE also Colin Richards, out of date and not query-able. Query-able Web portal would Vincent Usher, Newcastle address supplied be easy and relatively cheap with current tools like sequel server. I think this is an excellent move towards tackling 100% agree a broad set of measures would dilute gaming. the bullying, as long as it truly empowers the staff to deal Dear Laura Governors and those really interested in schools always with it. ask for a broad range of measures. I found the article “DfE Unfortunately DfE have mooted cutting data services not DfE scores academy chains and expanding them and the new parliament will see cuts. Plus local authorities on same measures for scores academy chains for DfE have scrapped all ambitious data projects. There appears fi rst time fi rst time” very interesting no reason small feasibility pilots could not be outsourced. To me this is silly as a broader data portal would be an easy Jarlath O’Brien @JarlathOBrien and informative but was win and relatively cheap. DfE have, predictably, missed out special schools and disappointed that the paper fell academies. Our achievements are unimportant to them. into the league-table mentality of Book review: Establishing a new school: Riley @lennyvalentino and getting it right from the start Would need to know more about fi nance, number of citing “top” and “bottom” providers. schools in chain or LA, new builds etc to make it fair. Isn’t this just the kind of mind-set Alex Blagona, Ipswich Reception assessments ‘harmful’, say which Schools Week should I thought Toby Young had the copyright on books unions and academics telling us how to open free schools be opposing? Greg Watson @Greg_GL_Assess Still not a shred of evidence of “harm”. Our Profi le: David Blunkett assessments designed by EY specialists to be fun while giving teachers useful insight Alastair Thomson, Northampton Teachers have too much control, RSC reply of the week The fi rst New Labour government of 1997- warns school 2001 was the high-water mark for lifelong learning. Not receives ‘the everything worked (UfI was disappointing and ILAs spoilt Jonathan Savage @jpjsavage for example) but there was passion, enthusiasm and a Many senior leaders in schools have no idea about collector’s mug! willingness to try new ideas – and this was down to DB the impact of individual subject cultures on the and the people he brought in. I must admit to being less associated pedagogy of...Subject teachers. In their impressed with his subsequent stint as Home Secretary but opinion, too often, a one sized pedagogy really does fi t it was a golden time to be working in education. Hope DB all. The paucity of thought is shocking. returns to parliament in the Lords. LeoToAquarius @LeoToAquarius Mike Westerdale, Sheffi eld Excellent expose about interfering in areas that were not criticised by Ofsted, better to prevent progressive A truly inspirational and humbling man who teaching in school has been a strong supporter of Parkwood E-ACT Academy in Shirecliff e, Sheffi eld. Without his support I am certain

Contact the team Correction DO you have a story? To provide feedback and suggest stories please email David Blunkett will be working with the Crick [email protected] and tweet using Centre for Public Understanding of Politics - and not @schoolsweek However big or small, if you have information or a story you think ‘science’ as we originally wrote. our readers would be interested in, then please get in touch. For (‘David Blunkett Profi le’ - Edition 24, March 27) To inform the editor of any errors or issues of press releases make sure you email our news email account, and concern regarding this publication, email don’t be afraid to give us a call. [email protected] with Error/ Concern in the subject line. [email protected] Please include the page number and story headline, 020 3051 4287 and explain what the problem is.

14 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 EXPERTS: ‘If I were education secretary...’

health and well-being). The implications of the average child is doomed to fail most ROBERT PLOMIN genetics will become urgent for education children. The genetic message is definitely as the specific genes responsible for genetic not that there is nothing we can do about MRC research professor and deputy influence are identified and result in “DNA children’s differences in school performance. director of the Social, Genetic and chips” that can predict strengths and The paramount policy implication is that Developmental Psychiatry Centre at the weaknesses from birth. children are inherently different and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & No specific policy implicationsnecessarily educational system needs to recognise Neuroscience, King’s College London follow from finding strong genetic influence and respect those differences, providing on children’s school performance. Policy opportunities for personalised learning involves values as well as facts. The fact that aim to maximise children’s individual of major genetic influence can lead to strengths and minimise their weaknesses. “I would take genetics seriously” completely different policies depending Computers can help to make this happen, on values — from right-wing policies (eg, freeing teachers to individualise pupils’ ifferences between children’s half of the differences in performance from educate the best, forget the rest) to left-wing experiences even more. performance at school are not just reception through to GCSE. policies (eg, do what it takes to have all Robert Plomin is co-author of G Is for Genes: Ddue to differences in parenting and Children are inherently different in how children reach a minimal level of literacy and What Genetics Can Teach Us About How We home life or differences in teachers and easily they learn, how they learn, and what numeracy). Teach Our Children (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013) school life — to an even greater extent, they they learn. Genetics affects not only their However, genetics has an important are due to DNA differences between children. aptitudes but also their appetites (motivation general implication: any one-size-fits- @RobertPlomin These differences account for more than and interests) and their adjustment (mental all educational programme aimed at

would ask to stay in my job for the rest of Most of all, I would recognise that human the government’s term and in that time capacity is multifaceted and that children Iseek to make myself largely redundant. I are capable of developing a whole range of would start off with a big conversation about talents. I would not privilege one subject the purpose of education, with a view to DEBRA KIDD over another. I would recognise that the arts recognising that it should make the world a Author of Teaching: Notes from have enhanced human experience and are better place. the Frontline a vital form of communication. I would give I would consider what teachers need to them equal status to other important areas of do their job well; recognising, for example, human knowledge and endeavour, including that marking matters and that it takes time, maths and science. I would look again at so is probably best not done at midnight. I whether or not exams are the best ways of would ask that the directed hours of a teacher assessing our young and explore options include the aspects of the job that are required based on professional trust. to do it well. Great teachers spend a lot of time “I would consider what I would talk to parents about how important planning and a lot of time marking, so let us it is that they and their children respect the think about how we could fund timetables people trying their best to deliver a future to allow more time for both. I would consult teachers need to do their job well” of hope and possibility. And then I would great headteachers, such as John Tomsett, sit back and have a cup of tea and let the about how reducing contact time has to the needs of the learning community informed. Then, instead of cherry-picking professionals get on with it. impacted pupil progress and staff well-being. and not to the whims and fancies of the snippets of research that accorded with my Teaching: Notes from the Frontline Great teachers are well read and informed, Department for Education or Ofsted. By own world view, I would set up a College of (Independent Thinking Press, 2014) both about their subjects and about child listening to experts — those in classrooms Teaching to ensure that the profession itself development and pedagogy. I would make as well as scientists, psychologists and might promote that which may have most schools provide well-resourced CPD tailored philosophers — I would hope to become better impact. @debrakidd

abolish “religious studies” and introduce a I would end the closed shop of higher comprehensive compulsory course in the education and, under a stringent quality history of ideas, of which the mythologies, assessment regime, promote diversity in ANTHONY religions, philosophies and science put provision. I would instantly abolish the current one another into context and are seen as absurd restrictions on student visas because successive aspects of humankind’s intellectual education is a UK export success story and GRAYLING growth. fetishisation of anxieties about immigration I would reintegrate tertiary with secondary to include student numbers have inhibited Master of the New College of the Humanities and education under the Department for opportunities. supernumerary fellow of St Anne’s College, Oxford Education umbrella, and encourage schools Once these reforms had been put in place I and university to be mutually porous so that would give the education sector time to catch there is much interchange between students its breath and settle down without incessant and staff at both. I would make it possible for change and re-regulation: which means that “I would widen the people in employment to take sabbaticals I would leave my ministerial desk and go back to return to education for shorter or longer into education myself as a student to learn periods. I would revive the old tradition of something new. pathways into teaching” extramural education evening classes without AC Grayling is author of The Challenge of funding being contingent on exams and Things: Thinking Through Troubled Times econdary education is too exam- promote the uptake of the International certification. (Bloomsbury, 2015) focused, There is also too much Baccalaureate as the standard school-leaving I would put as much resource as possible @acgrayling specialisation too early (after GCSE), qualification. I would widen the pathways into primary education to ensure that the S Contributions are taken from “If I were too little variety between schools and within into teaching for people who would like to basics of literacy and numeracy are secured, Secretary of State for Education”, edited by curricula, too many reforms with every change switch from other careers and for people by recognising that different children learn David James and published by Pearson for The Sunday Times/Wellington College Festival of of government, too little practical preparation with expertise after retirement, providing best in different ways and need high levels Education, in association with Summerhouse for life after education, and too great a jump them with training on the job. I would relax of individual tailoring to ensure progress. Education. Schools Week will publish extracts from other between school and university. some of the regulations that inhibit, or Staff-student ratios would have to be prominent thinkers in the run-up to the general If I were secretary of state, I would actively make more expensive, school trips. I would such as to facilitate this. election SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 15 EXPERTS

The early free schools did not, nonetheless, education-based reality, not uncommon throw up hoards of extremist faith schools. in the US and in parts of Canada that have Many stuck to the National Pay and similar types of schools. The fact remains Conditions of Teachers ­– to the extent that that some local authorities have kept open BRUCE Lord Hill, the then schools minister, warned historically under-achieving and even failing prospective promoters that unless they put schools for many years after they would have forward more innovative proposals, they been better shut. Perhaps here, as elsewhere, LIDDINGTON would not be successful. free schools are paving the way for a very Education consultant specialising in The critical difference was that the glass different future? academies and free schools palaces model of Building Schools for the What may be worth doing, though, is Future was well and truly shattered by asking candidates knocking on the door in the popularity of free schools opening in the next few weeks the following questions adventurous, non-standard settings. about free schools. It should give you an idea The picture, however, has radically changed of what they are thinking and whether it Free schools: what to ask (and I write as a consultant for two successful aligns with your beliefs. 2015 openers). Free schools are no longer 1. Are free schools a good solution to the Labour’s views are based on a reality that detriment of local schools. encouraged unless they supply a locally acknowledged need for significantly has long dissolved; free schools are no It’s a view that is behind the times. identified need for places, particularly at more primary places throughout the longer for white middle-class parents in True, in the 2010/11 round of the first free primary level. The support of at least the country? areas where they are not wanted schools, some were opened by white parents local if not also the neighbouring local 2. Do high-performing free schools help wanting to avoid sending their children to authorities is strongly encouraged to drag up standards in neighbouring t’s nearing the end of the general election mixed, multi-ethnic schools. True also, in (authorities still don’t have a veto on free schools? campaign and time to get down to the those early rounds, that free schools opened school proposals, though). 3. Is it right to plan a high-performing Idetail in education policies. But there’s in opposition to other local schools where The free school route is now the only one free school in the knowledge that it one thing we know for certain: the parties the places were not needed. Indeed, in one open to independent fee-paying schools may bring about the closure of a long- differ in their view on free schools. northern local authority, the opening of two wanting to come into the state sector. standing, low-performing neighbouring The Conservatives have said they will free schools in a small area killed advanced Before they open they are scrutinised at a far school? continue. Tristram Hunt has damned them academy sponsorship plans actively higher level than before, particularly around 4. Is a specific acceptance that some free and says that Labour will stop them. supported by the Department for Education. safeguarding and curriculum offer. Such schools will fail to establish themselves Mr Hunt retreads his opposition to free But ‘twas always thus. New government scrutiny is to be welcomed. and quickly have to close acceptable? schools having (some) unqualified teachers initiatives, especially those of a new The closure of unsuccessful free schools 5. Does the introduction of free schools and alleges, yet again, that free schools are government, always follow a scattergun remains controversial. Opponents cite the really lead to more choice for parents? exclusively for white middle-class families approach at the start, only to settle down as closure of three free schools as a failure of 6. What can be done to make free schools in areas where they are not needed – to the time passes. the policy. Others see it as a market-related, genuinely more diverse and different?

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Headship’s a weight, but it’s also a creative opportunity PETER CAMPLING ANN MCGAURAN now works as a freelance coach and consultant. Born in Pershore in Worcestershire, he is the son of a @ANNMCGAURAN “Yes, hopefully the play is funny,” he says. “We’ve had clergyman and teacher. He says he’s “been in and out of a good laugh today. That’s one of the things I do miss beliefs, but I certainly had a strong upbringing in a very Peter Campling, education consultant, playwright and about schools – the banter, the laughter and the ridiculous liberal version of Christianity”. former head situations that crop up.” He describes getting into the King’s School in Worcester A description of the play reveals the escalating list of as a cathedral choir boy as “an extraordinary experience”, ormer secondary head Peter Campling has been challenges facing head George Smith. “Pressure builds from singing until he was 13, two or three hours a day with watching the first rehearsal for his latest play. It the start of the school year for George, with poor maths “more at weekends” and on tour. “There was probably more Fconcerns a vexing series of events leading up to an results, disgruntled unions and an impending inspection. discipline than I’ve ever had since. But you got on with it, Ofsted inspection at the fictional Ardley Green School. George’s private life, meanwhile, is becoming increasingly because that was what you had to do.” There will be swearing, he says – and not just by any dysfunctional and the problems mount with a budget crisis, He had to board, “so I was taken away from home at the age teachers in the audience. an interfering local authority, unwanted competition from of 9. It’s something you probably talk about to your therapist But there’ll be laughs as well as a few expletives when the new free school, and scandalous behaviour at the staff 30 years later, but at the time it’s quite good fun.” The Inspector Calls starts its run later this month (April 28). party.” Then the inspectors call. Known during his schooldays as a bit of a rebel, Campling Chatting to the cast, I’m told the play has a lot of humour. Campling says he did not want to write a play that was “a says he was always in trouble. “There was a particular teacher Schools are funny places, says Campling, who can draw kind of dirge”. While he says it has a political side and a plea who saw some good in me, I think, and who got me involved creative inspiration from his years of teaching in the narrative to take stock of what’s happening, “it’s also in acting. I absolutely loved it pretty much the first time I and leadership roles. He left his headship at Deptford capturing the joy and the incredible hard work of people in stepped on the stage.” He was accepted into the National Green School in south London two years ago, and schools”. Youth Theatre at 16. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 17

a foreign language and did “whatever else you need to IT’S A PERSONAL THING do to pay the bills, and I kept going to the grand old age of 29”. Which was most challenging – Hey At that point he decided to Nicaragua! or getting ready for Ofsted? go to Goldsmiths in London to do a PGCE, “because that was a way I could carry on Nicaragua got quite hairy at times, but at least it being a writer. Of course I’ve hardly written anything was for a good cause. With the current punitive since, and that was 22 years Ofsted inspections, the stakes are ridiculously ago.” high for what is often just a roll of the dice. But there is a link between the play he did write about asylum seekers after Who would be the guest of honour at your securing his first teaching post in a drama department dinner party? and the work that’s now in rehearsal. Arthur Miller. His plays capture the key issues His first school, Geoffrey Chaucer – now an academy of our time so poignantly. He also led an with a different name – was extraordinary life and kept to his principles and in south London’s Elephant and Castle. “There were a lot politics, when many around him did not. of asylum seekers coming in to the school who were not officially recognised. It was certainly a big issue then and some deportation was going What would be your three “must-have” pieces on of young people. There are echoes of real life of music at the dinner party? in that story.” The school was in special measures and had never had a school play that anyone could Handel’s Gloria (lost for 300 years until recently remember. The keen young drama teacher wrote re-discovered). I’m quite into Elbow at the Kissing Carlos and set about “literally dragging the kids in from the playground” to take part. moment and maybe some Jack Johnson. “One of these guys was called Gbolahan Obisesan and he got the lead. He was brilliant. Where would you go for an ideal family trip I persuaded him to take it more seriously and Clockwise from top: Campling with his children Jo (left) and eventually he got into the National Youth Theatre, and then Laurie; Campling aged 4; on the way back from Nicaragua and why? became a professional actor and writer. He’s written for the National Theatre and the Young Vic. And he is here now in my cast – here this afternoon. It’s a lovely completion of the Newport in Pembrokeshire. The most beautiful circle!” Curriculum Vitae But until now, Kissing Carlos was “pretty much it from a place and loads of fun to be had. I’ve been Born April 29, 1963 writing point of view”, he says. “I had gone into teaching having great holidays there since the 1960s and naively thinking that I could be a teacher and a writer.” Education it never changes. Since giving up his headship Campling has been working Abbey Park Primary School, Pershore, Worcestershire King’s School Worcester as a freelance in about 10 schools. “So I’m seeing quite an Homerton College, University of Cambridge (left BEd interesting range of approaches.” course after one year) What’s the most important piece of What does he miss about being head of his own school? University of East Anglia, development studies degree advice you’d give your children, Laurie, 11, “The sense of being part of a community. I miss the creative Institute of Latin American Studies, MA in Latin American politics side of headship and the fact that you are responsible PGCE at Goldsmiths, University of London and Jo, 14? for everything. While it’s a weight it’s also a creative opportunity. Career Try to stay humble when things go well and “I miss that sense of building something long term and sustainable. That’s why something like a play is very Writer Returned from a year in Nicaragua and set up a theatre when they don’t, try to stay positive. satisfying.” company and wrote, directed and acted in Hey Nicaragua! He worries that now “it’s much tougher being in a school Other plays: The CIA Cabaret, Doing Bush, Kissing Carlos, that’s currently constrained or threatened”. The Inspectors Call His “scenic route” to becoming a teacher included a gap What he doesn’t miss at all are the “pressures increased Education year in India after he left school, an experience that he accountability, which I believe have got to a toxic level”. 1994-98: Drama teacher and head of year, Geoffrey says was “mind-blowing and changes your perspective on For heads, he identifies a football management syndrome, Chaucer school, south London everything”. He came back to take up a teacher training place, whereby “if they have not got the results they are looking 1998-2000: Head of performance faculty, Durrington High School, Worthing but soon realised that it wasn’t what he wanted to do. for in a short period of time you get rid of them. 2000-03: Assistant head, Eastlea Community School, east He switched to a degree in development studies at “It’s creating a culture of fear that is very damaging and London University of East Anglia, “but I still had a love of theatre”. permeates through the system right down to the kids. If 2003-06: Deputy head, Forest Gate Community School, After finishing university, he headed to Nicaragua “where your only currency is results you are going to produce a east London 2006-13: Head, Deptford Green School, south-east there was a war going on”. for a year to work for the rebel generation that is only good at taking exams. I think we London Sandinistas, picking coffee and cotton and helping to build are heading in that direction. You can’t blame heads 2013-present: Consultant, coach and facilitator Teaching a hospital. “It was American imperialism at its worst and a because their jobs are on the line.” Leaders, Oxfam Education, the Co-operative College cause célèbre for the left at the time.” It’s the Ofsted framework that becomes the driving While there he was inspired to start writing a play. He force of schools, he adds. “So much of it is based on Special achievements: The success of Hey Nicaragua! finishedHey Nicaragua! on his return, and set up a theatre results and that’s what drives you because, ultimately, Being elected to the Association of School and College company with friends from the National Youth Theatre and your jobs and status are on the line. That’s completely Leaders national council and then chair of the public and others. They took the play to the Edinburgh festival, where it wrong and tragic.” parliamentary committee and national executive. The design of a £32 million new school building at got good reviews and hit a “rich seam of interest”. The Inspectors Call runs from April 28 to May 16 at Deptford Green, which won the LABC Award for Best While having begun his theatre company wanting to act, Theatro Technis, Camden Town, London. To book go to Educational Building in the UK in 2013. he ended up wanting to write and direct. He taught English as theinspectorscall.co.uk 18 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 REVIEWS TOP BLOGS OF THE WEEK

To view individual blogs visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk/reviews BOOK REVIEW

puts humanity back into the centre of the Finnish Lessons 2.0: what performance between schools], but not about ring.” This is a timely reminder that without can the world learn from its between-class variation [the difference humanity we have nothing. educational change in Finland? in performance between classes in the same Author: Pasi Sahlberg school], which researchers have shown is The McNamara fallacy and the problem Publisher: Teachers’ College Press considerable in the international with numbers in education ISBN-10: 0807755850 assessments PIRLS and TIMSS. This By @C_Hendrick ISBN-13: 978-080775585 is because within-school ability Reviewer: Gabriel Heller Sahlgren grouping, in contrast to the author’s I loved this blog. Really loved it. The claims, remains widespread in pervading educational narrative appears to be Finland. In many lower-secondary that to criticise league tables and use of data, schools, kids sit tests to get accepted and to place meaning on the relationship n the past decade, Finland’s to special classes, while indirect between child and teachers, makes you high performance in the PISA selection in primary school is somehow against “rigorous standards” or international league table has through music and language classes. a “woolly liberal”. Although Carl Hendrick Iled to great educational fame. What about the book’s explanation recently confessed to being a “north London Unsurprisingly, therefore, policymakers for Finland’s recent slippage? This is even geek” he could never be called “woolly”. worldwide have been trying to find out what less convincing than its explanation for the Together, we should not only dismiss the idea they can learn from the Nordic country’s country’s rise. In Sahlberg’s story, the lack of Our blog reviewer of the week that in education everything can be reduced school system. continued education reform is a culprit, an is Emma Hardy, primary school to numbers but we should also fear it too. “In The first edition of Sahlberg’s book in ad-hoc argument that is impossible to verify teacher and union activist education, the ‘incredible interest’ of the few 2012 provided a description of Finland’s (or falsify). @emmaannhardy over the many is having a disastrous impact educational reforms that, according to him, Another explanation relates to increased in many areas. One inevitable endpoint of a were key for spurring transformation, while income inequality. However, inequality in system that audits itself in terms of numbers also discussing lessons for other countries. Finland increased rapidly during the 1990s, Mediocre Failures and then makes high-stakes decisions based This second edition is almost identical in a period of increasing achievement, and By @Disidealist on that narrow measurement is the wilful approach, although the performance data remained steady or even declined in the manipulation of those numbers. A culture have been updated and it provides a longer 2000s, a period of educational stagnation Language matters. Having the ability to that sees pupils as numbers and reduces the discussion of the role of equity. It also claims and later decline. In this case, not even the communicate well with others is an essential complex relational process of teaching to to answer why the country’s performance correlations provided by the author support skill and should never be underestimated. data points on a spreadsheet will ultimately has recently declined, something that has his story. You would think that our government would become untethered from the moral and puzzled many international observers. At the end, we are left with an appeal for a have experts in communication working ethical principles that are at the heart of the The author’s message can be summarised new “Big Dream” in education, an example for them, “spin” specialists who know how profession, as the recent Atlanta cheating as follows: the ”Finnish way” has rejected of the clichés throughout the book, and an changing one word creates an entirely scandal suggests.” standardisation, accountability, and outline of the ideas on which this should be different message. So I am left confused, is general market-based principles. It instead based. These ideas are not new, but a re-hash this government’s communication team Unity… emphasises equality, collaboration, strong of what many educationists have advocated incompetent or just cruel? Nicky Morgan By @KitAndrews professional autonomy, and the principle that for long, such as more personalisation, plans to make children in year 7 “resit” the “less is more” – hence, school days are short, less classroom-based teaching, and more SATs tests they have “failed”. Initially, my When reading this I was reminded of this teachers teach comparatively fewer hours, emphasis on creativity. reaction was one of confusion, the SATs are story: “While wandering a deserted beach and pupils study less than in other countries. Yet, again, we aren’t presented with any not the 11-plus, and they were never meant at dawn, stagnant in my work, I saw a man Written in an accessible conversational evidence. Inconveniently, rigorous research to be something you “passed” or “failed”. But in the distance bending and throwing as he style, the book provides a wealth of useful now shows that some of those ideas are soon my confusion turned to anger. This walked the endless stretch toward me. As he facts and figures about Finland’s education perfect recipes for reducing performance; passionate blog by Disidealist articulates far came near, I could see that he was throwing system. Unfortunately, it lacks analytical policymakers, Finnish and international, more effectively than I ever could the cruelty starfish, abandoned on the sand by the tide, rigour. Readers are presented with fluffy should take great caution since the of labelling children “mediocre failures”; I back into the sea. When he was close enough discussions containing grand ideas and prescriptions may, in fact, do more harm than challenge you to read it and maintain any I asked him why he was working so hard at empty phrases, but with little substantive good. sense that this government has compassion. this strange task. He said that the sun would evidence to support them. Sahlberg warns us Ultimately, therefore, the book fails to dry the starfish and they would die. I said to in the introduction that simple correlations provide a plausible case for the trajectory This much I know about…the need to him that I thought he was foolish. There were do not always mean causation – before of Finnish educational performance and its put humanity back into the centre of thousands of starfish on miles and miles of basing his arguments, pretty much entirely, lessons. While it’s impossible conclusively to the ring beach. One man alone could never make a on such correlations. prove anything in this respect, it is possible By @JohnTomsett difference. He smiled as he picked up the next Indeed, the book provides no real evidence to provide a more cogent story that’s backed starfish. Hurling it far into the sea he said, ‘It at all of the reasons behind Finnish education up by both history and general research. During election season madness, political makes a difference for this one.’ I abandoned success, what we can learn from it, or the For what it’s worth, my own monograph, parties will always try to appear tougher my writing and spent the morning throwing policies that Sahlberg opposes. As a general Real Finnish Lessons: the true story of an than each other. At times I sense they are starfish.” Loren Eiseley rule, in fact, the rigorous international education superpower, which is available competing over who can throw the most If you need to be reminded that teachers research doesn’t support his interpretation. free, attempts to do just that. testosterone around – which is not a pretty make a difference, that we all have the power Further, the author ignores that Finland’s thought. Thank goodness for John Tomsett. to influence our world, then read this blog. performance improvements began long Gabriel Heller Sahlgren is research director The timing and message of this blog are Kit Andrews identified a change in attitude before most emphasised policies were for the Centre for Market Reform. His book on perfect and this quote jumped out: “It seems in his school and he took action to change it; implemented, making it impossible that they Real Finnish Lessons was published this week. to me that too many of our state schools they are now having a positive impact on the caused the transformation. NEXT WEEK: have become scared, soulless places. We community around him. My advice, read this, The account is at times misleading. For The Ins and Outs of Selective need to reassert our courageous leadership- follow Kit’s example, abandon your writing example, readers are told about Finland’s low Secondary Schools wisdom that emphasises love over fear and and start “throwing starfish”. “between-school” variability [the difference in Reviewed by Oliver Stacey SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 19 RESEARCH REVIEW

The scaling back in 2010 of initiatives on and religious diversity in the world outside. PSHE, citizenship and RE was one of the This was evident in one school, which early savings made by the Department for had renamed the subject as “respect study”, Education. Initiatives such as REsilience, replacing the object of people’s religious DAVID which sought to engage schools with commitments, in all their varieties, from local religious communities to challenge the sublime to the shocking, with the LUNDIE extremism, and the non-statutory national simple party line that “you should respect framework for RE, were taken out of the everyone”. In that situation, students could Senior lecturer in education studies, department and handed over to the RE Liverpool Hope University Council for England and Wales. Local authorities’ annual reports on RE were sent into a void after the abolition of the Where trust Qualification and Curriculum Development Authority in 2011, an oversight only corrected was missing, RE in this year. Not only nature, but also bureaucracy was transformed abhors a vacuum, and into these gaps have come the security services. The “prevent”ing into a kind of Are teachers really of education, where Home Office and police counter-terror officers co-opt the inspection and governance of schools, inevitably has civic religion a chilling effect on conversations in the ‘stormtroopers’? classroom. For teachable moments to occur in a find themselves complicit in misrepresenting Teachers often try to avoid the difficult schools across the UK in 2008-10, explored subject as fraught with highly charged their own beliefs. questions in RE. But it is those questions the language and practices of religious personal attachments as religion, students Getting the environment right for those that provide the most “teachable moments” education classrooms as part of the Does RE and teachers must build together an difficult conversations, not internalising Work? project at the University of Glasgow. environment of trust. The counter-cultural the policeman of the state, cannot be about ecent headlines have suggested In this work, it was more often teachers who nature of this environment, even in religious ignoring these wider currents. The hardening that teachers are becoming sought to avoid difficult questions, so sticking schools, was a key finding in our research. of the security agenda facing our schools “frontline stormtroopers” in a to official curriculum content when students Where trust was missing, either because has to be acknowledged, and only then can war against religious extremism. attempt to interject their spontaneous teachers had attempted to drain religion a teacher build the trust to point beyond the RDelegates at the National Union of Teachers’ questions, meanings and misunderstandings. of its emotional charge, or to impose a flat limits of what young people think they can conference at Easter heard of young people Yet it was those difficult questions that curriculum, avoiding the difficult questions, comfortably say. telling their teachers that they don’t want provided the teachable moments; the religious education was transformed into a to discuss controversial issues, such as the opportunities to bridge world-views, to help kind of “civic religion”, teaching a bland set Does Religious Education Work? by James Charlie Hebdo cartoons. young people to understand that there are of dispositions and “tolerance” alien from Conroy and David Lundie (Bloomsbury My research, carried out in secondary people who see the world otherwise. young people’s lived experience of religion Academic, £24.99) Two days in Westminster Your regular guide to what’s going on in central government

It was a grand total of 112 services relating to issues affecting Ofsted, meanwhile, has an annual salary announcements, statistical releases, press families and children. In addition the bill of £69,563,255 for its 1,246 staff, and thursday releases and publications over the course department may also use ‘free to call’ 22 per cent received an NCPRP at the of the two days. 080 numbers where there is a desire to end of the year, although with a lesser Perhaps they thought we would all be too positively reach out and attract telephony maximum value of £1,500. However, 26th March busy to read them all. But, fear not! We contact. For example the Return to Ofsted was more generous with its have had a delightful two weeks sifting Teaching Helpline, which provides performance payments passed out “in through all these webpages – and it has advice to ex-teachers looking to return to year”, giving almost 60 per cent of its staff taken us the full two weeks. the profession.” a bonus of up to £5,000. AND friday Here’s a selection of some of the more For the pension phone line school staff Poor Ofqual staff do not appear to have interesting ones… will have to wait until April 2016 before had any bonuses. the 0845 numbers cease, but a geographic Finally, you know how we like to thrill 27th march On the Friday, the DfE released its latest number will also be provided. Not too you with little titbits of DfE information? information about its progress towards sure where we can find this number. Well, we have scoured through the Is there an election coming up or getting rid of costly 0845 numbers. Turns Might have to get them a “telephony” call department’s power usage, detailed by something? We hadn’t noticed… out that if the DfE wants you to call for to find out! every half hour, by every building, for the Desperate to get as much information “positive” reasons – such as returning to A second revelation was the amount whole of February. YES, really. out as possible before purdah chopped work, you can call them for as long as you of money doled out by the DfE in Shockingly, it looks like most staff rock off their communication lines, on March want at no cost. performance-related pay. up at Sanctuary House between the hours 26 and 27 we saw the MOST departmental But, if you want to find out a bit more The department’s salary bill hit of 9-9.30am and leave by 6pm at the notices we think the Department for information about that pesky pension of £171,000,000 in 2014 for its “delegated” latest. Oh and the meter at its Darlington Education (DfE)/Ofsted/Ofqual could yours, you will still be charged at the high staff. Of the more than 3,000 workers, office, Mowden House, has “failed”. have released without crashing the 0845 rate. almost a quarter (24 per cent) received a Good job they moved out at the end of internet. The report states: “The department “non-consolidated performance-related February. Any guesses as to how many pieces of provides funding to a number of payment” (NCPRP) at the end of the year, SEE GOVERNMENT – YOU CAN’T HIDE information they pushed out? Place your organisations to provide free telephony which was at most a payment of £3,200. FROM US! bets now…. services supplying information, advice In total, it dished out an extra £1,361,550 Still thinking? and guidance and intensive support to staff. CHECK OUT @SCHOOLSWEEK FOR LIVE TWEETS OF WESTMINSTER EVENTS 20 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 EVENTS From workload to high energy drinks: welcome to the Easter conferences

and “appropriate” funding levels for SOPHIE SCOTT dedicated staff. @Soph_E_Scott NASUWT cited studies in which more than two thirds of teachers surveyed said their job Investigates had affected their mental health, with a quarter turning to alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine as If you have been hiding under an coping mechanisms. election-shielding rock for the past couple Ms Keates said that wellbeing had of weeks, or holidaying on the other deteriorated during the coalition’s tenure, side of the world, the teachers’ union arguing that it had never been a priority – conferences may have passed you by. Even notwithstanding its “workload challenge”. for those trying to keep track of all the Concerns about accountability loomed announcements, the deluge of information large. was hard to manage. So we’ve done a Ms Blower said: “Only a root and branch round-up of what the National Union of reform of the out-of-control accountability Teachers (NUT), NASUWT, and Association system with Ofsted at its centre will restore of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) all had trust in teachers and bring working hours to say at their pre-election conferences down to acceptable levels.” During an address to the NASUWT, eacher workload topped conference shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt concerns over Easter. said he wanted to put the “trust back in the NUT general secretary Christine relationship” between ministers and the TBlower called the government’s workforce. response “woefully inadequate”, accusing He promised that a Labour government it of “tinkering at the edges” of a significant would make sure that Ofsted adopted a more problem. “constructive, peer-review model of inspection “Of great concern to parents should be the led by outstanding heads and inspiring fact that recruitment to teaching is falling teachers”. short of the numbers we need. New graduates Alongside these common key issues, do not see working 60 hours per week, with each union highlighted its own concerns to precious little professional autonomy, as an delegates. attractive proposition,” she said. The NASUWT and NUT discussed age In her keynote speech, ATL general discrimination, with NUT delegates hearing secretary Mary Bousted highlighted the that older teachers were seen as “more “dismal” retention rate of newly-qualified expensive” than their younger colleagues. teachers, arguing that 40 per cent left after Ms Blower said: “This is a shortsighted their first year. view of the value that older teachers bring to The figures were later disputed by Sam schools. Their expertise is essential to effective Above and below: delegates at the NASUWT conference Freedman, ex-policy adviser to the coalition, peer coaching within schools and ensures that who noted that the high number included vital experience remains within the classroom support for this group of pupils. impact of these drinks on children. entrants who started teacher training, but and the school community, benefitting Dr Bousted said: “Young carers should feel Describing them as “legal highs”, Ms Keates never took up a school post. children directly every day.” supported in schools and colleges … but the said: “Teachers are growing increasingly At the NASUWT, general secretary Chris However, this was counter-posed with reality is that many are bullied, feel isolated, or concerned that some young people are using Keates highlighted the poor management concerns about pay flexibility, which enables struggle with their learning because of their these drinks to enable them to stay up into the practices that could increase teacher workload younger employees to move up the pay caring role.” early hours and then replace their lost energy without meaning to. scale faster; the NUT has not welcomed such The media focused an a claim at the by drinking two or three cans on their way to She said teachers were told the colour of pen flexibility. NASUWT conference that energy drinks and school. to mark in, plus how it should be done and Pupil care was mentioned at all three caffeine were a leading cause of disruptive “Teachers are reporting that this affects how often. This took “no account” of different conferences. The ATL behaviour. The union is now working with a concentration in class, and hyperactivity is subjects and individual subject workloads. discussed the national drug and alcohol charity to assess the then followed by the inevitable crash later The union supported a motion to worries of commission research to investigate and young carers; petition the Department for Education to audit highlighting and publish the impact of the pupil premium a survey on teacher workload. showing that only The three unions also discussed the mental 30 per cent of staff health of staff and pupils. said their school ATL focused on children’s mental health, provided with Dr Bousted saying: “Removing the stigma special around mental health and increasing support for education staff, social care and specialists would make great strides towards a solution. The introduction of statutory PSHE – something ATL has consistently campaigned for – would enable appropriate training for staff and more time to talk during timetabled hours.” Members carried a motion for the executive committee to lobby the government to invest in “preventative measures such as safe havens for vulnerable children” in schools Tristram Hunt SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 21

From workload to high energy drinks: welcome to the Easter conferences LEADERS’ VIEWS

It was an excellent conference. It highlighted all the challenges facing the teaching profession, came forward with clear solutions and teachers were united in their determination to ensure that an incoming government delivers the entitlements that children should expect from a publicly funded education service. The conference sent a clear message that in order to achieve this there must be a change of government CHRIS KEATES

ATL’s conference was highly successful in giving a voice to classroom teachers. ATL’s debates on curriculum, assessment, children and young people’s mental health and many other issues were widely reported and raised the profile of the teaching profession in the in the school day when the impact of these drinks wears off.” run-up to the general election. ATL The British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) later released a statement that said. “Since will take forward member concerns, 2010, the BSDA has operated a code of contained in our manifesto for education practice that high-caffeine soft drinks are not recommended for children, and specifies that MARY BOUSTED this information should be clearly stated on the label of such drinks.”

The NUT annual conference was, as usual, lively and constructive. It is clear from conference that much needs to be done to improve the education of children and the working lives of teachers. The NUT will seek to engage in discussion with whoever forms the next government to ensure teachers’ concerns are heard and, more importantly, acted upon CHRISTINE BLOWER 22 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 School Bulletin Flash, and you’re off against Usain

Kiesha Kilomwene and Brandon Whetton, both aged 16, race against a virtual Usain Bolt in The Accelerator sprint simulator Malik Sheryar-Karamat holds his Millennium Point Young Innovator Prize virtual Usain Bolt was put through their peak sprinting speed. his paces by students from a The simulator, which is in an inflatable, AWolverhampton school as part of an domed tunnel, is made up of a 10-20m Robots win the day for Malik interactive PE workshop. strip of LED lights that flash in sequence at uccess in the Millennium Point world and space exploration. Science education specialists Classroom the Olympic and world sprint champion’s Young Innovator Prize has given a The 18-year-old winner impressed with Medics gave some 150 year 7 and 11 pupils running speed. Pupils simply race after the SSt Alban’s Academy student a place his presentation “Will robots save or destroy from Deansfield Community School a lights. on a sponsored undergraduate degree at us?”. He now has a place on a three- taste of the training regimes of top athletes James Hearn, head of PE at Deansfield, said: Birmingham City University. year mechanical engineering degree at to show how their body works and its “The Accelerator was a particular highlight, Malik Sheryar-Karamat competed against Birmingham City’s faculty of computing, capabilities. giving the opportunity for students to race three other finalists who all had to make engineering and the built environment, Both groups took on “The Accelerator” against the legend that is Usain Bolt, and his a presentation focusing on science, starting in September. sprint simulator that let them race a actual split times, in a cool tunnel. It enables technology and engineering with themes Malik, who also has a summer placement virtual Usain Bolt. They could see how far them to see for themselves just how good including nanotechnology, robotics, with Millennium Point, says that he hopes for behind they’d be in a real race, plus record elite athletes are.” sustainability, future energy, feeding the a career in a science-based subject. Glide and shine for Uganda beckons for 20 teachers this summer FEATURED Macmillan

Cornwall teacher is searching for Lizzie teaches a class in India as part of her trip with LRTT last year 20 UK teachers to take to Uganda this summer for three weeks of Ain-school coaching. Lizzie Waddling, an expressive arts and English teacher at Falmouth School, will lead the team in delivering teaching ideas and strategies to Ugandan teachers and pupils. It will deliver in-school coaching alongside a five-day conference. Pupils dressed up in some wacky costumes for last year’s “With the limited resources available Macmillan Dress Up and Dance day to teachers in Africa, in-service teacher t’s time to put on your dancing shoes training is very rare and nearly always and drag out your gladrags to show your externally run rather than being integrated Ischool’s support for cancer research. into school life,” Lizzie says. “The result is Macmillan Cancer Support’s “Dress Up didactic low-quality teaching.” and Dance”, which returns to schools and She says the skills needed to join her nurseries for its third year on June 19, venture are “loads of enthusiasm, problem- encourages teachers to ask their students

solving skills and the ability to inspire, Inset: The LRTT conference in India that Lizzie Waddling to get dressed up and have a dance in something we know will filter through to took part in last summer exchange for a £2 donation. others involved”. school that over the summer they have Those who sign up will receive a free The project will be run through social run continuing professional development fundraising pack that contains teaching enterprise LRTT (Limited Resource Teacher sessions, which is something a UK teacher resources, including online dance routines, Training) and will cost £1,195 per place. probably wouldn’t do until they get to middle cut-out animal masks, educational activity The price includes accommodation, all management. sheets and assembly plans. meals and transport, as well as training and “They will come back as much more for training and professional development Simon Phillips, interim director of mentoring. confident teachers with a much clearer within their schools, so it is great to see fundraising at Macmillan, says: “Dress Up But the money is worth it for “fantastic” understanding of how to use different that the training links are continuing. and Dance is not only great fun, but an easy career development, especially for newly things in their teaching, different behaviour Seeing the impact it has on children is way for teachers and group leaders to get qualified teachers, Lizzie says. management skills and more.” incredible.” kids exercising and expressing themselves “It is an absolutely incredible opportunity, This is Lizzie’s second overseas project; last If you are interested in joining Lizzie visit in the name of cancer support. We can’t wait especially for new teachers in the early year she travelled to India with LRTT. http://lrtt.org/uganda2015/. The to hear what you’ve all got planned.” stages of their careers. “Since our visit, Indian teachers have trip starts on July 27 and runs to August To register your school visit http:// “When they return they can say to their taken on roles as leaders, lead practitioners 21. Applications will be accepted until July. eventregister.macmillan.org.uk/dressup. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 23 MOVERS & SHAKERS Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving

atthew Slater has averages and put the school on a taken over as the new trajectory to an outstanding Ofsted.” headteacher of King Mr Slater has more than 20 years of MSolomon High School teaching experience after completing in Essex. his PGCE at Roehampton University. He Formerly head of Drapers’ Academy has a business degree from Manchester – where his efforts to turn it around to Metropolitan University. “one of the fastest improving” schools in the country were noted by David Arwen Makin has joined Voice, the Cameron in parliament – Mr Slater says union for education professionals, as his past experiences in Jewish schools the Derby-based union’s new solicitor, drew him to to King Solomon. following David Brierley’s retirement. “I’ve got a lot of experience in Jewish Ms Makin graduated from the education and when I saw the job it University of Cambridge in 1999, before

felt compelling immediately because I qualifying as a solicitor in 2002. She Matthew Slater Arwen Makin Matt Hood thought that the knowledge gained in most recently worked for Thompsons my previous roles would be valuable in Solicitors in Nottingham. After studying politics, philosophy Orchestra for All and The Brilliant Club. supporting the school’s development,” “As an employment law solicitor, and economics at York University, Speaking about his appointment he he says. I have always enjoyed working with Mr Hood started his career as an says: “This is a really exciting move He began his career at a North trade unions and so my new role is an economics teacher before advising for me. It feels like we’re on the edge London Jewish School, Hasmonean exciting opportunity to support union at the Department for Education on of a revolution in teaching practice, High School, and then went on to members,” she says. school reform, post-16 participation and in my role here I’m going to be Yavneh College in Borehamwood. As “My mum was a teacher and so I’m and special educational needs and doing everything I can to get us to that deputy head and governor, he helped delighted to be working with education disability. tipping point.” the school to become one of the top 10 professionals.” He has since worked with education He is also continuing as an assistant comprehensives in the UK. charities including Teach First, where headteacher at Heysham High School Speaking about his new position, Mr Matt Hood has moved from the senior he trained to be a teacher, The National in Lancashire. Slater said: “We want to immediately team at education charity, Achievement make an impact on GCSE and A-level for All, to become a director at the If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your school, local authority or results; to take them above national School 21 trust. organisation please let us know by emailing [email protected]

Tongues will be wagging… Making sure you get seen and talked about in all the right places is crucial. Whether that’s through the material you produce or the stories you tell. And it’s even more important that you have the right support from an organisation that really understands your market...

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Call 01264 729581 Email [email protected] Visit empra.co.uk @empra 24 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 jobs

TEACHER OF ENGLISH TEACHER OF MATHEMATICS TEACHER OF MODERN Assistant Headteacher FOREIGN LANGUAGES September 2015 Scale range L12-16 Salary range: MPS Devonport High School for Boys is an 11-18 grammar school with 1200 students on roll, including 300 in the sixth form. Our students (including some girls in the sixth form) are from a wide range of backgrounds Top Valley Academy has a strong, secure and inclusive in Plymouth, West Devon and Cornwall. Plymouth is a vibrant waterfront city, with a thriving university, learning culture built on the strengths of the predecessor TOP VALLEY ACADEMY, surrounded by a stunning and inspiring natural environment. TOP VALLEY DRIVE, NOTTINGHAM school. Since becoming an academy in 2012 Top Valley NG5 9AZ Following the promotion of the current post-holder to Headship at our school, we require an Assistant has established itself as a rapidly improving school built on Headteacher for September 2015. good behaviour and attendance, a positive learning culture Telephone: 0115 9539060 Innovation and hard work have culminated in outstanding results for DHSB students at KS4 and KS5 this year. Fax: 0115 9539065 and improved results The Academy is committed to further We are looking for a colleague to support our progress towards becoming an exceptional school. improvement underpinned by outstanding care, support and Top Valley Academy is sponsored by the Central Nottingham College guidance. Academy Trust The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher and join a Leadership Group determined to ensure Everyone Succeeds at DHSB. The new Assistant Headteacher will improve the personal development With this profile of improvement, optimism and ambition Top and well-being of our young people and develop creative and innovative opportunities for student leadership across the whole school. Valley Academy is a positive and enjoyable place to work. The successful candidate will: We are seeking to appoint excellent classroom practitioners to join a highly motivated • be an outstanding teacher with proven leadership skills; and successful team. The ideal candidates will have strong subject knowledge and a • be able to inspire students, staff and the wider community; commitment to high quality teaching and learning. It is only through high quality teaching • lead with exceptional interpersonal and organisational skills; • rise to the challenge of a changing educational landscape in the leadership of that we will achieve the best possible outcomes for our students. These posts would be continuous school improvement. suitable for an experienced or newly qualified teacher. Please contact the Headteacher Designate, Dan Roberts, for an informal discussion about the role or to arrange a visit ([email protected]). Further details and an application are available on our websitewww.dhsb.org

Closing date: 12.00 noon on 1 May 2015 Top Valley Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment Interview dates: week beginning 11 May 2015

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects For further details and application form please visit our website: all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. www.topvalleyacademy.org/staff/vacancies “Devonport High School for Boys is an outstanding school and has an outstanding capacity for sustained development.” Closing date for receipt of applications is noon on Thursday 30 April 2015. Ofsted February 2011

Regional Manager for Teacher of Physics Manchester and the North West MPS (with a possible TLR) Devonport High School for Boys Paradise Road Are you an entrepreneurial teacher, ready to lead the expansion of Plymouth PL1 5QP Enabling Enterprise in Manchester and the North West? 01752 208787 www.dhsb.org Our mission is to ensure that one day, all students leave school equipped with the [email protected] skills, experiences and aspirations to succeed – beyond just a set of qualifications. We do this through creating innovative educational programmes for schools that Required for September 2015, a well-qualified and enthusiastic teacher to join a successful and thriving department to teach Physics in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. The Science Faculty is very introduce new, more enterprising teaching approaches, working with over 70 top successful, well-resourced and popular; currently there are eight A level Physics teaching groups. businesses including PwC, BT and Virgin. Additionally, leadership of local and international partnerships, including a collaborative project The Regional Manager role is a key one in the development of Enabling Enterprise with a Swedish partner school and CERN, may be available to an outstanding candidate with ambition in this area. as we work towards our goal of working with 50,000 students across the UK by 2015. You will be building off a new network of 6 schools and 1,300 students in Manchester. We will welcome applications from experienced teachers seeking the opportunity to develop Key Responsibilities include programme delivery in schools and at businesses, their teaching skills or from newly qualified teachers wishing to gain wide subject experience in promoting our programmes, managing the Manchester office, and training and their first post. recruiting new team members. For an application pack please visit www.dhsb.org or contact Sarah Nicholson, Head’s PA, at [email protected]. For more information see www.enablingenterprise.org/vacancies. The closing date is 12.00 noon on Friday 24 April 2015. The position is full time, starting 17th August 2015, with a salary of up to £36,000, This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young review after one year. people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Applications should include a CV and Covering Letter and be sent by email to [email protected] by 9am on 22nd April 2015. “Devonport High School for Boys is an outstanding school and has an outstanding capacity for sustained development.” Ofsted February 2011 Regional Manager for Manchester | Enabling Enterprise | www.enablingenterprise.org SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 25 FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 25

Education Associate in Birmingham Education Associate in London

Are you an outstanding teacher, who wants to transform children and young people’s readiness for real life? We are looking for Education Associates - some to be based in our established London office, others in our rapidly growing Birmingham office.

Enabling Enterprise is an award-winning social enterprise. Our mission is to ensure that one day, all students leave school equipped with the skills, experiences and aspirations to succeed – beyond just a set of qualifications. We do this through creating innovative educational programmes for schools that introduce new, more enterprising teaching approaches. Our work is reinforced and supported by more than 70 top businesses including PwC, BT, London City Airport and Virgin Active.

We are looking for self-starters with an entrepreneurial outlook, comfortable working with students and presenting to school leaders, with a passion for education. We want people who will be dedicated to building and maintaining relationships with our schools, For more information see www.enablingenterprise.org/vacancies. and supporting them to make our programmes transformational for their children. To build credibility, we are looking for evidence of outstanding teaching practice in a The position is full time, starting 17th August 2015, with a salary of primary or secondary school in the UK, and subject specialism is not important. £28,020-£32,040 subject to review in 12 months.

You can expect to be part of an inspiring team, and benefit from opportunities for rapid Applications should include a CV and Covering Letter and be sent by email to growth, development and challenge. [email protected] by 9am on 22nd April 2015.

If you’re looking for your next role and want to help transform education in England, we want to hear from you. Education Associates - London 2015 | Enabling Enterprise | www.enablingenterprise.org

Become an examiner with Cambridge

Cambridge International Examinations is growing and over 10000 schools in more than 160 countries are now part of our Cambridge learning community. To support our continued growth worldwide, we are expanding and strengthening our examiner network, and inviting teachers to develop their professional experience by becoming Cambridge examiners. We are welcoming new examiners across the Cambridge curriculum but are in particular need of examiners for Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level Islamiyat and Pakistan Studies, as well as our Cambridge International AS Level General Paper. Requirements are: • Applicants should have teaching experience and LEAD TEACHERS be educated to degree level. ENGLISH, MATHS AND SCIENCE • Successful applicants will require a PC and broadband to allow them to access Cambridge on-screen marking systems. The David Ross Education Trust is a network of over 30 academies across the East Midlands, East of England and We offer: Yorkshire and Humberside. • a powerful insight into the teaching and assessment of Cambridge qualifi cations

We are seeking outstanding teaching If you have experience as a middle leader • support in developing your own practitioners to develop English, Maths in a primary and/ or secondary school and professional practice and Science teaching across our network want to make a significant difference this • the highest standards of training and support to ensure high standards of teaching could be the role for you. These positions and learning for 10,000 children in these are ideal for teachers looking to stay • freelance opportunities, based on contracts important core subjects. close to the classroom while developing for services for each examination series, leadership skills and accessing our CPD which fi t around your existing These roles are ideal for those seeking to programmes. commitments. broaden their experience beyond a Phase Leader / Head of Department, and are looking for a pathway towards more senior leadership positions. To apply, please visit www.cie.org.uk/makeyourmark For more information, please visit The closing date for applications is www.dret.co.uk/careers 5pm, Friday 1st May 2015

Schls Week ad Apr15.indd 1 02/04/2015 10:40 26 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 jobs

Assistant Principal (Maths and Pupil Progression) Barnes Wallis Academy is seeking an experienced and highly successful Assistant Principal to join their senior leadership team.

We are seeking an Based near Tattershall in outstanding teaching Lincolnshire, Barnes Wallis practitioner who is also an Academy is passionate about inspiring senior leader to providing every student with TO ADVERTISE CALL drive the important areas of a learning environment that Maths and Pupil Progression allows them to achieve their for the academy. very best in their secondary JASMIN ON education. 020 81234 778 For more information, Completed application forms please visit should be sent to Tracy Wall, Business Manager by 5pm on wwww.dret.co.uk/careers Friday 1st May 2015 on, [email protected] [email protected]

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How to play: Fill in all blank squares making sure that each row, column Spot the difference SCHOOLS WEEK Sudoku challenge and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 to WIN a collector’s ACADEMIES WEEK mug

Last Week’s solutions

Difficulty: 7 2 9 1 5 6 2 8 9 3 7 4 EASY 4 6 8 9 2 7 3 4 1 6 5 3 4 7 1 6 5 8 9 2 8 3 1 5 3 9 4 2 1 7 8 6 7 9 6 2 1 8 7 3 5 4 9 4 7 8 5 9 6 2 1 3 8 7 8 5 6 4 2 9 3 1 5 4 2 6 9 1 4 3 5 7 6 2 8 8 3 6 2 6 3 9 1 8 4 5 7

9 3 1 4 Difficulty:

6 5 1 4 7 EASY What’s the caption? tweet a caption @schoolsweek

Difficulty: 8 3 8 4 6 3 1 5 7 2 9 MEDIUM 7 5 2 9 6 4 1 3 8 3 9 5 2 9 3 1 2 7 8 4 6 5 8 3 1 4 7 9 8 2 6 3 5 1 3 6 4 7 2 6 3 1 5 7 8 9 4 1 8 5 4 3 9 6 7 2 1 6 6 2 4 7 9 1 5 8 3 9 2 6 1 5 9 8 6 4 3 2 1 7 3 1 7 5 8 2 9 4 6 2 8 5 7 8 9 6 Solutions: Difficulty: 2 6 Next week MEDIUM Spot five differences. First correct entry wins a collector’s mug. Tweet a picture of your completed spot the difference using @schoolsweek in the tweet.