6-12 December 2014
Saturday
People persons
Business leaders said schools should be rated on how well they develop children’s confidence and personal skills. The CBI has told Ofsted that businesses want young people with character, not just good GCSEs.
Sunday
Back on that horse
It’s the education topic du jour: improving pupils’ character and grit. Education secretary Nicky Morgan used a newspaper interview to say that children need resilience in order to get on in life.
Monday
Doing the numbers
David Cameron pledged to boost British brainpower in science, technology and maths by improving teaching. The government will fund extra training for 15,000 teachers and the recruitment of 2,500 more.
Tuesday
Explosive reading
Remember, remember the 9th of December, when the earliest written report of the Gunpowder Plot - describing its discovery and Guy Fawkes’ bravery during torture - was auctioned by Sotheby’s London.
Wednesday
In her honour
Malala Yousafzai (pictured), the teenager shot by the Taliban, was presented with the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. She was named joint winner along with Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights advocate.
Thursday
A league of their own
Tables showing how England’s 16,000 primary schools compare were published. Last year, 767 schools fell below the floor target, thus facing Ofsted inspections and the prospect of becoming academies.
Friday
Get down to business
Think your students should be more entrepreneurial? The European Union is exploring ways to help schools teach these skills, including finding business partners to support work-based learning.
13-19 December 2014
Saturday
A purr-fect day
Gemkin Starwind, an orange-eyed white Persian, was named best in show in 2013, but will a feline rival slink away with this year’s top trophy in the 118th National Cat Club Show?
Sunday
Sing when you’re winning
Record deals, riches and stardom await the latest winner of The X Factor. Either Fleur, Ben or Andrea will join Leona Lewis, Little Mix and Joe McElderry on the list of those who have clinched the title.
Monday
A right royal visit
Llandovery College Nursery School will be officially opened today by the Prince of Wales. He will meet pupils and parents at the bilingual school in the grounds of the independent Llandovery College.
Tuesday
Let there be light
The first of eight candles will be lit for Hanukkah celebrations in Jewish homes. The festival marks the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BC.
Wednesday
Happy birthday, dear pontiff
Pope Francis turns 78 today. Born Jorge Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, he became leader of the Catholic Church in 2013 and was named Time magazine’s person of the year for his focus on the poor.
Thursday
Departures and arrivals
Migration is a perennial political issue and today is International Migrants Day, designated in 2000 to highlight the importance of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.
Friday
Put your feet up
It’s here - the final day of term! After months of marking, testing and swotting, see their faces glow as they watch films, eat cake and stagger home with cheap chocolate. And that’s just the teachers.
