Independent Education News (UK Edition)
NEWS ROUND UP (06 February 2012)
This week’s bitterly cold weather saw the cancellation of many outdoor sports fixtures between schools across the nation, but snow and ice were not a deterrent for those taking part in the Independent Schools Association Gymnastics Championships held at Stoke on Trent, in Staffordshire. The host school was Castle House School and we look forward to hearing news of how the competing teams fared in the various disciplines.
In a fascinating departure from the usual celebrations of success that we feature in our weekly news, we hear of Wimbledon High School’s Failure Week. Pupils will be encouraged to focus on their attitude to failure and the positive aspects of trying, even when success is not the guaranteed final outcome. Daring to have a go, risking failure and coping afterwards: these will indeed be valuable lessons for life.
The chief inspector of schools is reported as saying that more than 5,000 headteachers are poor leaders and ineffective managers of staff. Sir Michael Wilshaw stressed that improvements must “flow from leadership” and there can be “no excuses” for poor performance. We await with interest the responses his comments will provoke.
Numbers of candidates for GCSE English Literature are continuing to fall and it is reported that many students are unable to cope with the novels of Charles Dickens. In 2011, less than 1% of pupils taking the most popular English examination answered questions based on novels published before 1900. Nick Gibb, minister of state for schools, is calling for every child to read a Dickens novel before they leave primary school. No doubt the focus on Dickens is prompted by the 200th anniversary of his birth, but perhaps most of his stories are better for a slightly older age group than the under-11s. There are many 19th century authors whose books were specifically written for young readers, such as Captain Marryat (The Children of the New Forest) or E Nesbit (The Railway Children), which might provide a gentle introduction to the more challenging works of Dickens.
TOP STORIES
Is the Common Entrance exam outdated?
Senior teachers are to meet later this month at Cheltenham College to discuss major changes to the Common Entrance...
13th January 2012
UK boarding school admissions increase
The latest figures reported by the Independent Schools Council show that numbers enrolling at UK boarding schools...
11th January 2012
Exam system is too commercial
The incoming head of the Independent Schools Association says that it is wrong for exam boards to make money from...
10th January 2012
Social attitudes survey says "private schools fuel division in society"
The National Centre for Social Research's annual report finds that attending private school gives a "sense of superiority...
7th December 2011
Charity rules withdrawn from private schools
Following the landmark tribunal ruling in October, the Charity Commission withdraws its existing rules for private...
6th December 2011
Should independent schools be supporting academies?
Dr John Newton, head of Taunton School, says comprehensive schools do not "universally value" support from private...
29th November 2011
Could independent schools "fuel social divides"?
Yes, according to Dr Anthony Seldon, head of Wellington College in Berkshire. Click the headline to read the full...
24th November 2011
Parents encourage children to study at overseas universities
More parents are reported to be encouraging their teenage children to apply to overseas universities for degree...
21st November 2011
Private schools feeling economic squeeze
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has surveyed its members and reports pay freezes for teachers and...
14th November 2011
The Prince's Teaching Institute new masters course
The Prince of Wales' charity The Prince's Teaching Institute, is to introduce a new master's degree course in advanced...
8th November 2011
Incentive scheme revealed to attract top graduates into teaching
Bursaries of up to £20,000 will be offered to graduates with a first-class degree who wish to teach maths,...
8th November 2011
Private school pupils top the A-level results tables
Statistics published today show almost 32% of private school students achieved three A or A* grades this summer...
24th October 2011
GCSE results analysis shocks Schools Minister
Reports showing that independent and grammar school pupils lead the GCSE tables in hard subjects have led Nick...
20th October 2011
Landmark ruling in charitable status case
Private schools have won their case against the Charities Commission over "public benefits".
17th October 2011
Top independent schools to sponsor sixth form college
Ten of England's top private schools are co-operating to sponsor a sixth form college in London for students from...
10th October 2011
SCHOOL NEWS
Number one for the second time
St Clare's, Oxford
27th January 2012
Stargazing at St. Clare's Oxford
St Clare's, Oxford
20th January 2012
Old Girl Anjali Pathak's Life in Food
Bolton School (Girls' Division)
13th January 2012
New Alumni
Scarisbrick Hall School
11th January 2012
"Outstanding" Bristol School - Silverhill - celebrates successful Ofsted
Silverhill School
9th January 2012
Cobham Hall at the Maidstone Music Festival
Cobham Hall School
14th December 2011
Cobham Hall girls win regional heat in Biathlon Competition
Cobham Hall School
14th December 2011
Scholarship Exam Morning
Tockington Manor School
13th December 2011
Open Days.
Tockington Manor School
13th December 2011
Great turn-out for the inaugural Hazlegrove Charity 12k run
Hazlegrove Preparatory School
9th December 2011
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