THIS WEEK 17-23 DECEMBER 2011
SATURDAY
CURRICULUM CURIOSITY
The first trails of what to expect in the national curriculum review, published two days later, began to appear in the papers as anticipation grew. The new curriculum will now not be introduced until 2013.
SUNDAY
THEY WOULD, WOULDN’T THEY?
Sixty per cent of leading UK public figures have humanities, social science or arts degrees, found a New College of the Humanities study. The NCH’s annual fees will be #163;18,000 when it opens next year.
MONDAY
DEAL OR NO DEAL
Big steps forward were made in resolving the public sector pensions dispute. Most of the teaching unions agreed to put a revised deal to their members, but the NUT and NASUWT will continue talks next year.
TUESDAY
IT’S COLD OUTSIDE ...
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton proved she’s worthy of one of the badges handed out by her programme. The intrepid explorer embarked on a world record attempt to reach the South Pole on a bike.
WEDNESDAY
WHAT’S GOING ON ‘ERE, THEN?
Exam regulator Ofqual published a report into alleged dodgy exam board practices. It defended the use of seminars run by boards but an exam to be offered by one board in January has been postponed.
THURSDAY
LIGHT ON THE HORIZON
The winter solstice was marked in the northern hemisphere with the shortest day of the year. It will still be dark when leaving school for a while, but we’re moving in the right direction.
FRIDAY
DESIGNS ON A ROOT VEGETABLE
Today is the annual radish-carving festival held in Oaxaca, Mexico. What do you mean, you’ve never heard of it? People carve radishes into intricate sculptures of animals, saints and kings for the event.
NEXT WEEK 24-30 DECEMBER 2011
SATURDAY
SHOP TILL WE DROP
Only one day to go, and the shops are still open for anyone needing a CPD session in gift planning. For those with their feet up, there’s no shortage of Christmas specials on the box, including Outnumbered and The Cube.
SUNDAY
MR GODDARD’S SPEECH
It’s Chriiisstmaass! Highlights, other than spending time with the family, of course, include tuning in to the alternative Christmas speech, this year presented by the head and deputy from Educating Essex.
MONDAY
GO ON, BURN OFF THOSE POUNDS!
After yesterday’s excess, what else would you rather do today than go shopping again? A record number of stores are set to open on Boxing Day this year, confident that people still have money to spend.
TUESDAY
CROSSING THE POND
It has been a publishing sensation, so there had to be Hollywood version, right? The US remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, based on the novel by Stieg Larsson and starring Daniel Craig, arrives in cinemas.
WEDNESDAY
THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE, ETC
The funeral of Kim Jong-Il, former leader of North Korea, is due to be held in the capital, Pyongyang. The funeral procession will be led by Kim Jong-Un, his 28-year-old son, who has been hailed as the “great successor”.
THURSDAY
IS THERE A FURRED PRIZE?
A momentous day for geography teachers as the winner of the Beard of the Year Award is announced. The prize is designed to praise those who have presented a positive image of beards to the public.
FRIDAY
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
If you still haven’t had enough booze and party food, it will soon be your final chance this year. Time to get ready for the party tomorrow night, and to look forward to the new term, which is just a few days away ...
