THIS WEEK 4-10 FEBRUARY 2012
SATURDAY
FALLIBLE RANKINGS
Academies were accused of using vocational qualifications to boost their rankings more than other schools. Press reports followed the government move to ban some qualifications from tables.
SUNDAY
BLOW TO THE HEADS
The new Ofsted chief, Sir Michael Wilshaw, continued his charm offensive by saying that 5,000 heads are doing a bad job. He told The Sunday Times that some heads use pupil poverty as an excuse for low results.
MONDAY
CAST YOUR VOTES
The start of the ballot to decide on the next general secretary of the University and College Union was launched today. Current leader Sally Hunt is taking on left-wing challenger Mark Campbell.
TUESDAY
GIBB’S ON THE GO
Schools minister Nick Gibb said children should “always have a book on the go” as he announced a national reading competition. Youngsters who read for 30 minutes a day can surge ahead at school, he suggested.
WEDNESDAY
MATTERS OF FAITH
The Accord Coalition, which campaigns for reforms in faith-school admissions, hosted a debate at the Church of England’s General Synod. It asked the crucial question of whether faith divides or inspires.
THURSDAY
REVIEWING THE SITUATION
Ofsted launched a consultation on proposed changes to the way schools are inspected. The watchdog wants more scrutiny of teaching standards and no more automatic pay rises for underperforming staff.
FRIDAY
AND FINALLY ...
Time for a breather! Today is the last day for many teachers before a well-earned bit of rest over half-term. So put your feet up and recharge your batteries for the run-in to the Easter holidays.
NEXT WEEK 11-17 FEBRUARY 2012
SATURDAY
SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY
If your week off features that long-dreamed-of break in Tehran, you’ll have timed your trip to perfection. Today is, after all, the Islamic Revolution’s Victory Day. You’ll have the time of your life.
SUNDAY
BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS
Red Hand Day is marked across the world as part of a campaign against the recruitment of child soldiers. The United Nations - backed by more than 100 countries - prohibits the use of under-18s in war.
MONDAY
NEW MEDIA ON THE MENU
The start of Social Media Week, an event bringing together brains from around the globe to help explain the way these new forms of media are transforming the world.
TUESDAY
DON’T YOU JUST LOVE ‘EM?
Valentine’s Day - and that means that the annual trauma about whether Samantha in Year 8 received a romantic missive from Big Tony in Year 9 rears its head again. But thank God it falls in half-term this year, eh?
WEDNESDAY
A MONARCH MOURNED
It’s 60 years to the day since George VI was laid to rest at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. A nation mourned the passing of the monarch - stammerer or not - who had led it through the Second World War.
THURSDAY
MONEY TALKS
The annual Rede Lecture takes place at the University of Cambridge, featuring Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, chairman of the Financial Services Authority. A tough gig in these straitened times.
FRIDAY
PENCIL THIS ONE IN
Lucian Freud: Drawings opens at the Blain Southern Gallery in London’s West End. Beginning with the 1940s and spanning the artist’s career, this show is the most comprehensive survey of his work on paper.
