THIS WEEK
23-29 JUNE 2012
SATURDAY
You started it
A blazing row between historian David Starkey and journalist Laurie Penny got the Festival of Education at Wellington College going. Watch the YouTube video for a good lesson in how not to debate.
SUNDAY
Paying the penalty
England bowed out of Euro 2012, losing on penalties to Italy. The match left Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Ashley Young in need of a self-esteem lesson. It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part, right?
MONDAY
Get into entomology
National Insect Week started, bringing a brief truce between man and pesky fly. Teachers up and down the land laid down their fly swatters and showed pupils the wonders of bees, beetles and other minibeasts.
TUESDAY
The age of the academy
Michael Gove continued his relentless academy plans, announcing that every primary in special measures or with a notice to improve would be converted. More stress for heads facing Ofsted inspections.
WEDNESDAY
Not by the book
Fifty Year 11s were disqualified from their AS-level English exam after mistakenly being allowed to take the set text into the exam hall at Kenton School in Newcastle. Head David Pearmain said he was “mortified”.
THURSDAY
A wealth of languages
We may be the lazy man of Europe for language learning, but we can sure host an event. Language Rich Europe, which will “record countries’ progress in supporting multilingualism”, was launched in the UK.
FRIDAY
I am the Resurrection
The nostalgia brigade descend on Heaton Park in Manchester for the first of three homecoming gigs by the legendary Stone Roses. They are the band’s first major UK shows for a decade and a half.
NEXT WEEK
30 JUNE - 6 JULY 2012
SATURDAY
Pens at the ready
Procrastinators with an aversion to form-filling should get busy: the final deadline for Ucas university applications is upon us. Any received after this date will go into clearing.
SUNDAY
Up in smoke
The five-year anniversary of the smoking ban. Back in 2007, smokers up and down the land bought anoraks as they were thrown out of pubs. It didn’t stop students smoking behind the bike sheds though.
MONDAY
a Fruitful invention?
Michael Gove’s favourite thinktank, Policy Exchange, will be promoting amateur computer programming, hosting an event about the Raspberry Pi. Will the gadget be the future of ICT education?
TUESDAY
That’s the spirit
The 12th International Conference on Children’s Spirituality takes place this week at the University of East Anglia. Highlights include a presentation entitled “Your Body’s Search For Spirit”. Tickets are a spiritual #163;550.
WEDNESDAY
Young talent on show
The third day of charity Music for Youth’s National Festival Birmingham will showcase school orchestras. The Symphony Hall, famed for its acoustics, will resound with youthful musical talent.
THURSDAY
Standing tall
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani will be in London to officially inaugurate Europe’s new tallest building, the Shard. Get your Stickle Bricks out for scale models of the 309.6m landmark.
FRIDAY
Here at last!
The TES Schools Awards take place today, hosted by comedian Rob Brydon (or Uncle Bryn to Gavin and Stacey fans). The best of British educators will attend the glitzy event in a top London hotel. Tidy.
