THIS WEEK - 25 FEBRUARY - 2 MARCH 2012
SATURDAY
‘Sin bins’ in bid for freedom
The government is to give new powers to “sin bin” schools, according to reports in the dailies Telegraph and Mail. Pupil referral units will be able to become academies, with freedom over curriculum, timetable and pay.
SUNDAY
School’s out for ever
Almost 9,000 teachers took early retirement last year, figures released by the Department for Education showed. The number leaving the profession early was the highest for 13 years.
MONDAY
Live the American dream
The Sutton Trust education charity is expanding its university summer schools programme to give bright teenagers from poor homes a taste of life on American campuses, including Ivy League institutions.
TUESDAY
Get the cameras rolling
With the memory of the Oscars still burning bright, the government announced it would create an academy for young film-makers. It’s part of a drive to enrich “cultural education”, with #163;15 million to be spent over three years.
WEDNESDAY
Rub-a-dub-dub, one man in a tub
New Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw faced a grilling from MPs on the Education Select Committee. Both MPs and observers were surprised when he revealed that he does his blue-sky thinking in the bath.
THURSDAY
Self satisfaction
Author and journalist Will Self started his latest career as an academic. He has become professor of contemporary thought at Brunel University. He will contribute to several courses, including creative writing.
FRIDAY
Music hits a dud note
More on the cultural education front as Ofsted published a report on the quality of music education. Inspectors found that the quality of provision varied widely, with too much proving inadequate.
NEXT WEEK - 3-9 MARCH 2012
SATURDAY
Harry bolts to the Caribbean
Prince Harry is on his first official solo tour to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. After spending time in Belize, HRH will hang out with 100m runner Usain Bolt in Jamaica, then move on to the Bahamas. Tough life.
SUNDAY
Will Russia choose Putin?
Vladimir Putin is the favourite to win the 2012 Russian presidential election as voters prepare to go to the polls. The victorious candidate will be elected for a six-year term.
MONDAY
Teen charged with murder
A 15-year-old boy is due to appear at London’s Old Bailey charged with the murder of Leroy James in Enfield. He has pleaded not guilty to murdering Leroy, 14, by stabbing him in the chest.
TUESDAY
Zeebrugge remembered
The 25th anniversary of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster that claimed more than 190 lives. A car ferry capsized a mile off the Belgian port after it set sail with its bow doors open.
WEDNESDAY
Let the games begin
Day two of the World Education Games, expected to attract 5.5 million pupils from 200 countries and territories. The first day will focus on spelling; on the second pupils will turn their attention to maths.
THURSDAY
Women of the world
It is International Women’s Day, which was first observed in the early 1900s, with women demanding voting rights and better pay. Apparently, men can use the opportunity to honour women with gifts.
FRIDAY
Run for it
Lycra at the ready for the start of the World Indoor Athletics Championships. The biannual event, taking place this year in Istanbul, is the last major athletics championships before the Olympics.
