Talks on curriculum

A conference on proposed changes to primary maths, science and technology was due to be held in Manchester today. Sir Jim Rose has said the curriculum for key stages 1 and 2 should be grouped into six areas of learning. It would put more emphasis on financial literacy and ICT. He also recommended science be dropped as a tested subject. The conference, organised by the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) forum - is intended to generate suggestions to influence the detail of the courses that will be offered.

GCSE science concern

Islington in north London and Slough in Berkshire do not have a single child in a comprehensive school sitting separate science GCSE exams, government figures show. Local authority data for 2008 show less than half of all comprehensives entered at least one pupil for physics, chemistry or biology exams. Nick Gibb, shadow schools minister, said: “It is truly shocking that there are whole areas of England where not a single child has the opportunity to sit separate science GCSEs.”

Beavis teacher rapped

A teacher has been reprimanded by the General Teaching Council after repeatedly playing a clip from a Beavis and Butt-head cartoon in class. John Maddison, who taught at Holgate School near Nottingham, was accused of intimidating a pupil by playing the clip. The accusation of intimidation was dropped by the council, but it said playing the clip still contributed to unprofessional conduct. Mr Maddison was also criticised for calling pupils “prick” and “dickhead”. Allegations of locking a pupil in a classroom and punching a wall were not proven. A reprimand will remain on his file for two years.

Academy for teachers

The College of Teachers has joined with the General Teaching Council to support development of the Teacher Learning Academy. The partnership comes as the academy opens to registered teachers from next Monday. More than 17,000 teachers use the academy to help with professional development.