Fears over ‘punitive’ performance management
Teachers will effectively be “subject to capability procedures on a permanent basis” as a result of the government’s plans to link them with performance management, the NASUWT annual conference will hear on Monday. Union members in Birmingham will discuss a motion that argues “performance management will no longer be a supportive and developmental process but will be used punitively and, in some cases, as a means of bullying teachers”.
School gates open to FE teachers
FE teachers are, as of this week, qualified to teach in schools. Teachers with qualified teacher learning and skills status have effectively been recognised as equal to their school counterparts with qualified teacher status. The move was praised by Toni Fazaeli, chief executive of the Institute for Learning. “Schools will be able to recruit specialists (with) expertise and experience in their subject area,” she said.
Teaching school movement grows
One hundred more schools have received teaching school status, it has been announced. The first 100 teaching schools, which lead teacher training and professional development, were set up last year. Now a further 102 schools around the country - 39 primary, 47 secondary and 16 special - have the status. Ministers hope there will be 500 by 2014. Toby Salt, deputy chief executive of the National College, which is responsible for the initiative, said: “They will be harnessing the finest teaching talent in the profession.”
Deprived children face ‘double disadvantage’
Children from the most deprived backgrounds are handed the “double disadvantage” of also receiving a “below par education”, shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg has claimed. Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Twigg referred to research from social mobility charity the Sutton Trust showing that these young people are left a year behind their peers from more affluent backgrounds. He described the situation as a “national scandal”.
See cover story, pages 22-26
Charity calls for ‘deaf-friendly’ sex education
Pupils with hearing loss are not being given suitable sex education, according to a charity. Staff from Deafax surveyed deaf mothers and found that 17 per cent were not given “deaf-friendly” sex education. A third said they received no information at all. A new campaign by the charity calls on schools, teachers and medical service providers to supply adequate sex education and sexual health care for deaf people.
Tune in to the hunt for best school radio station
Schools that boast a classroom Chris Moyles or a staffroom Sara Cox are invited to enter a competition to find the school radio station of the year. The aim of the competition organised by SchoolsRadio.com is to encourage and celebrate pupil-run radio. Shortlisted pupils will be invited to a reception at the House of Commons in July, where they will meet professional radio producers and DJs, as well as MPs. For information visit www.schoolsradio.com
Contest launched for young artists with autism
An international competition aimed at dispelling the myth that autistic children are not creative has been launched by Beechwood College near Cardiff. The “Create! Art for Autism 2012” competition is inviting entries from young people aged 11-25 who are on the autistic spectrum, in four categories: 2D art, 3D art, digital art and poetry. TES readers will be able to vote on a “people’s choice” prize. To enter visit www.createartforautism.co.uk.
