Roof-wire failure
A heating vent fell on pupils as they sat an exam in a school sports hall because the wires attaching it to the roof failed, health and safety inspectors have said. Eleven Year 9 pupils from Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, were taken to hospital after the incident. Four of them suffered serious neck, head or back injuries. All 11 have now left hospital and some have returned to lessons. The Health and Safety Executive said inspectors had completed gathering evidence from the site and control of the sports hall has been handed back to the college.
Ex-head found dead
A former primary head arrested by police investigating an alleged sex assault on a child was found dead near a railway line, police said on Wednesday. Paul Powell, 45, of Oulton Broad, Suffolk, had been released on bail without charge pending further inquiry after his arrest in February. He was head at Loddon Junior School in Norfolk, but left in 2007. Officers did not say whether the inquiry related to Mr Powell’s work at the school. Officers are investigating the possibility that he was hit by a train. They said there were no suspicious circumstances.
First Plowden medal
Professor Geoff Whitty, the director of London University’s Institute of Education, is the first winner of a new award for outstanding services to education: the Lady Plowden Memorial Medal. Presented by the College of Teachers, the medal is named after the author of the 1967 report that recommended a child-centred curriculum for primary schools.
Montessori degree
A foundation degree in early childhood practice run by the Montessori Centre International in partnership with the London Metropolitan University starts in September. The two-year degree concentrates on the Montessori early childhood programme.
On the campaign trail
A new programme using history to inspire pupils to run campaigns about issues affecting them has been launched. Campaign! Make an Impact, run by the British Library and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, provides online resources to enable schools to explore the British Library’s historic collection, learn about different media and discover practical advice on how to run a campaign. www.bl.ukcampaign.
