ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION Educational researcher and writer, Julie Webb, is writing a book based on interviews with adults aged over 20 who were educated mostly at home, or in a small school (White Lion or Hartland, for example), or in a Steiner school. Postage refunded to anyone who sends information to her at: Jessamine Cottage, Bonds End Lane, Sibford Gower, Oxfordshire OX15 5RT.
MUSIC EDUCATION Vincent Conyngham, director of music at Swanbourne House School, Buckinghamshire MK17 OHZ is researching a teaching profile (Assessment in School Music: Years 7-11) for a Fellowship Diploma in Music Education, which covers key stage 34 assessment practices. He would be grateful if colleagues could fill in his questionnaire or send him copies of their assessment schemes.
BOYS’ UNDERACHIEVEMENT The publication of examination results has revealed that girls achieve on average 10 per cent better grades at GCSE than boys, a pattern which continues at A level. Last year at Beacon Community College, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 2AS, the difference in exam results was 26 per cent, so the school has seconded John Davies and Jackie Cooper to investigate boys’ underachievement and explore ways forward. They would like to hear from interested schools.
