This week 15-21 October 2011
SATURDAY
WALES SEES RED OVER LES BLEUS
It was a bad start to the weekend for anyone pledging allegiance to Wales in the rugby World Cup. Some dodgy refereeing made life easier for Les Bleus, who play New Zealand in the final.
SUNDAY
BELL TOLLS FOR MANDARIN
After five years in the job, Sir David Bell is to stand down as permanent secretary at the Department for Education. The former Ofsted chief inspector will become vice-chancellor of Reading University.
MONDAY
TWIGG’S FRONT BENCH DEBUT
Education secretary Michael Gove squared up to his new shadow, Stephen Twigg, in the Commons. But the biggest blow was landed by the Speaker, who accused Mr Gove of treating Parliament like the Oxford Union.
TUESDAY
BARNES WINS AT BOOKER ‘BINGO’
After accusations of dumbing down, the Man Booker prize was awarded to Julian Barnes for The Sense of an Ending. The author, who previously described the award as “posh bingo”, had been shortlisted three times.
WEDNESDAY
BEHAVIOUR FROM ON HIGH
A behaviour checklist published by the Government instructs teachers on how to keep order. It was criticised for being basic, but behaviour tsar Charlie Taylor said pilots used similar lists to maintain safety.
THURSDAY
PARENTS’ VIEWS SOUGHT
Ofsted released details of an online questionnaire that parents and carers can use to give their opinion on their child’s school. Anyone can see the results, and they could be used to trigger inspections.
FRIDAY
HALF-TERM ARRIVES AT LAST ...
Audible sighs of relief will emanate from staffrooms up and down the country as pupils file out for the half-term break. Teachers can look forward to a week of rest and, erm, marking and lesson planning.
Next week 22-28 October 2011
SATURDAY
FAST SHOW’S HIGSON ON HORROR
Charlie Higson - children’s author, TV actor and comedian - talks about his love of horror at the Cambridge University Festival of Ideas. The event, which runs until 30 October, has sessions for children and adults.
SUNDAY
TUNISIA GREETS DEMOCRACY
Tunisia became the first Arab Spring country to overthrow its dictator, President Ben Ali. Today its people go to the polls to elect a government that will also be responsible for writing a new constitution.
MONDAY
GAMES-ROW ATTACKER IN COURT
A man is due in court for sentencing after attacking a teenager who killed off his video-game character. Mark Bradford admitted assaulting the Plymouth boy after he gunned down his character in Call of Duty: Black Ops.
TUESDAY
DIWALI COUNTDOWN CONCLUDES
Final preparations will be made for the best-known Hindu festival, Diwali, which begins tomorrow. The five-day festival of lights celebrates the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
WEDNESDAY
DAY OF ACTION ON PENSIONS
As many as 25,000 teachers are expected to protest outside Parliament against plans to reform their pensions. Union leaders are hoping that at least one teacher from every school in the country will take part.
THURSDAY
DEPUTY DREW STRUTS HIS STUFF
The penultimate episode of hit documentary series Educating Essex airs on Channel 4. Has Mr Drew met his match in Mollie, or will she come through and achieve A-grades?
FRIDAY
... BUT ALL TOO SOON IT’S OVER
Breathe deeply. It’s back to school on Monday, but the Yoga Show in London might help you take it in your stride. The event promises a range of relaxing therapies, meditation and chanting.
