21-27 March 2015
Saturday
`Nine nights’ festival
Happy Hindu new year! Gudi Padwa was the first day of the festival of Chaitra Navratri (“nine nights”), in which devotees worship eight-armed goddess Durga in the hope of finding prosperity and happiness.
Sunday
Peers of a clown
Something funny was going on in Reno, Nevada, at the World Clown Association’s 2015 international convention. The four-day event culminates in an awards ceremony where the clown of the year is named.
Monday
Cultural treasures
The British Museum, Royal Shakespeare Company, Vamp;A and Arts Council England will work with TES to give schools online access to their resources, it was announced (read more at bit.lyShareRes).
Tuesday
Taking FE further
Business secretary Vince Cable launched “A Dual Mandate for Adult Vocational Education”. The consultation invites views on meeting challenges in further education over the next 10 years (bit.lyFEchallenges).
Wednesday
Peace of mind
On this day in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged a week-long “bed-in” for peace at a hotel in Amsterdam. Forty-six years later, spending 12 hours a day in bed is now more frequently associated with teenagers.
Thursday
Pomp and Plantagenets
It didn’t quite cost a kingdom for his hearse. But roughly pound;2.5 million was spent on a lavish ceremony at Leicester Cathedral to reinter King Richard III, whose remains were found under a nearby car park in 2012.
Friday
All in a name
The 37th winner of the Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year will be announced. But don’t expect to see Nature’s Nether Regions or Divorcing a Real Witch on recommended reading lists any time soon.
28 March - 3 April 2015
Saturday
Golden teachers
Teachers’ Day in the Czech Republic and Slovakia marks the birthday of universal education champion John Amos Comenius. Czech students nominate teachers to be crowned “Zlaty Amos” (Golden Amos).
Sunday
Lords and ladies of the dance
Competitors at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Montreal, Canada, will be hoping to be more Michael Flatley than Michael Flat-Feet. Representatives from 16 countries are expected to attend.
Monday
May the best party win
Political machines will grind into action for the first official campaign day of the general election. Who’s best on education? You have until 7 May to decide. For the latest, head to www.tesconnect.comGeneralElection2015
Tuesday
Seen and heard
Teach your pupils about LGBT rights on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, which celebrates the contribution of transgender people to society and raises awareness of the discrimination they face.
Wednesday
Jest a minute
Beware cling-filmed toilets on April Fool’s Day. The tradition may stem from the jokes played on 16th-century French “fools” who wouldn’t accept that New Year had moved from April to January.
Thursday
Reaching higher
An estimated 80 per cent of adults with autism are unemployed. This year, the United Nations-backed World Autism Day is focusing on employment and improving the quality of life of all people affected.
Friday
Presidential precis
The annual conference of the NUT teaching union begins in Harrogate today. Teachers will have the chance to quiz incoming president Philipa Harvey on how she plans to support their rights.
