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THIS WEEK 21-27 APRIL 2012
SATURDAY
THE COST OF INDEPENDENCE
National newspapers got all worked up over an article in this organ by former St Paul’s head and HMC chair Martin Stephen. Independent schools are, apparently, pricing themselves out of the middle-class market.
SUNDAY
MAKING A MEAL OF IT
Remember Saint Jamie of 30-Minute Meals-shire? Saviour of the tummies of Britain’s pupils? He tucked into the government for allowing academies to serve up whatever muck they like.
MONDAY
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The Guardian obtained data proving that free schools have, on average, fewer free school meals pupils than the local average. Deep down, we probably already knew it was true.
TUESDAY
FREE RUNNING
These same kiddies are, if a survey is to be believed, spending more time running around outside. According to the research, recession-squeezed parents are picking the local playground over pricey video games.
WEDNESDAY
END OF THE LINE
Experts wondered what would happen to the eight underperforming academies that education secretary Michael Gove said he had “given notice” to improve. These days, it’s normally enforced academisation. Oh.
THURSDAY
HACKED OFF
The phone-hacking scandal reared its head again this week, with more revelations from the Leveson Inquiry. May we refer you to our Resources special on the freedom of the press in last week’s edition.
FRIDAY
CYMRU CLASSIC
If you didn’t get enough union action from your Easter bank holiday weekend, get yourself down to Cardiff for the start of the annual get-together of the Welsh medium teaching union UCAC. Lovely.
NEXT WEEK 28 APRIL - 4 MAY 2012
SATURDAY
GETTING IN A LATHER
The British Soap Awards will take place in London. Expect glamour, red carpets and C-list celebs. Most importantly, of course, will Corrie’s home-education storyline win some much-deserved recognition?
SUNDAY
WEALTH OF INFORMATION
The Sunday Times Rich List will be published today. One or two public school parents are likely to appear on it, but we’re willing to bet they’ll be the only representatives from education’s “rich” tapestry.
MONDAY
POOR SHOW
The Cameroonians’ favourite thinktank, Policy Exchange, will roll out Labour MP Frank Field to debate the reasons why Britain is likely to fail to meet its own child poverty targets in June.
TUESDAY
THE ART OF SURPRISE
Expect the art department to do an excited jig and the rest of the staffroom to raise an eyebrow when the shortlist for the #163;40,000 Turner Prize is announced. Probably still enough time to submit your unmade bed.
WEDNESDAY
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
After the wall-to-wall press coverage of the anniversaries of the Falklands conflict and the sinking of the Titanic, why not merge your lesson plans on these for the 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Belgrano?
THURSDAY
ELECTION FEVER
“Buffoon” Boris and “Red” Ken go head-to-head in the London mayoral election, with their sights set on another stint in City Hall. Liverpool is also holding its first mayoral vote today for a new, all-powerful leader.
FRIDAY
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
Believe it or not, today is Star Wars Day, also known as Luke Skywalker Day. Fans of the sci-fi cult classics have designated it a day to “celebrate Star Wars culture”. Try explaining that to a bunch of Year 5s.
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