27 September - 3 October 2014
Saturday
Heart of stone
We got a little closer to understanding the ancient world on this day in 1822, when Jean-Franois Champollion revealed he had deciphered the Egyptian hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone, now in the British Museum.
Sunday
Touchdown in a new town
The Miami Dolphins beat the Oakland Raiders in the first of three American football games to be played in the UK, as London’s transport networks were awash with people wearing oversized T-shirts.
Monday
Food fight
Campaigners called for a food manifesto for the under-5s, after a YouGov survey found that 45 per cent of UK teachers believe the government does not do enough to support schools in encouraging healthy eating.
Tuesday
Twerk in progress
BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw set the Guinness World Record for the longest duration of twerking. Alas for Grimmers, his fellow DJ Greg James took the title from him only minutes afterwards.
Wednesday
A league of their own
The Times Higher Education launched its annual World University Rankings, revealing the winners and losers in the race to the top of the charts. For the fourth year in a row, California Institute of Technology came first.
Thursday
Birth of a legend
Richard III was born on this day in 1452. Despite his iconic status as monarch, he ruled England for just two years before his defeat at the hands of Henry Tudor’s army in the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Friday
Lights, camera, Catalonia
Film studies teachers take note: the 47th annual Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia takes place from today in north-east Spain, near Barcelona. The festival celebrates horror and sci-fi films.
4-10 October 2014
Saturday
Reach for the stars
Go to infinity and beyond for the start of World Space Week. This year’s event has the satellite navigation theme of “Space: Guiding Your Way” - a great excuse to crack out the tin foil and create a wall display.
Sunday
Faith in the future
Happy World Teachers’ Day, which commemorates teaching organisations worldwide and aims to mobilise support for the profession, so that it can continue to develop future generations of children.
Monday
Vanishing habitats
Have your students reflect on where they live for World Habitat Day, a United Nations event that aims to raise awareness of the right to adequate shelter. This year the focus is on “voices from the slums”.
Tuesday
Once more with feline
School theatre favourite Cats opened on Broadway on this day in 1982. Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T S Eliot, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ran for nearly 18 years before closing in 2000.
Wednesday
Feeling a little horse?
You must be at the Horse of the Year Show in Birmingham. Schoolgirls from across the country will flock to see the prestigious annual showjumping extravaganza which bills itself as the world’s most famous.
Thursday
Standing strong
Two years ago today, an attempt was made on the life of schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in her native Pakistan. She was targeted by the Taliban after openly campaigning for girls’ rights to receive an education.
Friday
Peace of mind
The annual World Mental Health Day takes place to raise public awareness of mental health issues. The event promotes open discussion of illnesses and investment in prevention and treatment services.
