THIS WEEK - 12-18 OCTOBER 2013
SATURDAY
Chain reaction
A special adviser to Michael Gove, England’s education secretary, argued that differences in children’s test scores were largely down to genes and that school systems should be “dominated by well-managed chains”.
SUNDAY
Underground stars
Jay-Z was spotted travelling to his London gig by Tube. Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Timbaland, who is supporting the rapper on his Magna Carta Holy Grail world tour, were braving public transport alongside him.
MONDAY
In the bad books
Adults risk destroying a child’s love of reading by giving them “worthy but dull books”, best-selling author Neil Gaiman suggested in a speech. He also said it was “snobbery” to dismiss writers such as Enid Blyton.
TUESDAY
Voice of reason
Doreen Lawrence, whose son Stephen was murdered in a racist attack in South London in 1993, was due to take her seat as a Labour peer in the UK’s House of Lords. She will be known as Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon.
WEDNESDAY
Foreign dignitary
On this day in 1978, cardinals at the Vatican chose the first non-Italian Pope for more than 400 years. Karol Wojtyla, Archbishop of Krakow in Poland, became John Paul II and set a trend for “foreign” popes.
THURSDAY
United in protest
Teachers were due to stage a one-day strike in Cumbria, London and the north-east, south-east and south-west of England. Unions were demanding talks over pensions, performance-related pay and workload.
FRIDAY
Friends in high places
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who survived being shot by the Taliban last year, was due to meet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. And she’s got a book out, too (see page 14).
NEXT WEEK - 19-25 OCTOBER 2013
SATURDAY
Wizard celebrations
Perhaps the most famous headteacher in film celebrates his birthday today. Michael Gambon, 73, took over the role of Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film franchise after the death of Richard Harris.
SUNDAY
Hanks for sharing
It’s the last day of the London Film Festival, where actor Tom Hanks revealed that he was suffering from type 2 diabetes. He was in town to promote Captain Phillips, his film about a hijacking by Somali pirates.
MONDAY
Super heroes
Today is the UK’s third National Heroes Day, and students are being encouraged to come to school dressed as their heroes (expect to see plenty of Spider-Men and Peppa Pigs). The money raised will go to Help for Heroes.
TUESDAY
Forbidden fruit
Apple is rumoured to be launching its new iPad today, in the hope of making it an ‘appy Christmas. The tablet is becoming popular in schools, despite concerns about students hacking through security settings.
WEDNESDAY
Raise a glass (or mug)
The world will rejoice as the youngest member of the British Royal Family, Prince George, is christened today. The event will be attended by “close members of both families” as well as sundry dignitaries.
THURSDAY
All together now
United Nations Day will be celebrated around the world. The organisation was officially formed on 24 October 1945. In 1971, the general assembly recommended the date be observed as a public holiday.
FRIDAY
Too clever by half
How far should we go to boost brain power? Find out at the Cambridge Festival of Ideas in England, where a panel including neuroscientist Professor Barbara Sahakian will discuss “smart” drugs and brain implants.
