THIS WEEK 24-30 NOVEMBER 2012
SATURDAY
BOTHER IN ROTHERHAM
Michael Gove described Rotherham council’s decision to remove three children from foster parents because they support Ukip as “indefensible”. The couple said social workers told them they supported a “racist” party.
SUNDAY
THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE
School fees are a waste of cash, a head told The Sunday Times. “I have seen a lot of independent school lessons and ... children are achieving in spite of them,” said Ani Magill of St John the Baptist, a comp in Woking. Ouch.
MONDAY
GALOSHES GALORE
Another week, another weather warning, as rain continued to lash England and Wales. Teachers and pupils were sent home from a number of schools that were hit by floods, and hundreds of homes were also affected.
TUESDAY
A MESSAGE TO THE FRONT LINE
Attention! Sergeant Major Wilshaw delivered his verdict on the performance of schools over the past year in Ofsted’s annual report. It praised the quality of teaching but councils were told: “Must try harder.”
WEDNESDAY
IT’S ALL ACADEMIC
More than 2,000 keen-beans descended on the glamorous surroundings of Birmingham’s NEC for the Academies Show. Everything you wanted to know about converting and managing academies but were afraid to ask.
THURSDAY
HUGH AND CRY
At last, Hugh Grant can return to romantic comedies. The Leveson inquiry into newspaper standards reported today, having heard evidence from a string of A-listers - as well as ordinary folk - about press intrusion.
FRIDAY
ESTELLA CAST FOR DICKENS FLICK
In which novel is the protagonist called Pip? Detention for any English teachers who failed to answer “Great Expectations”. Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes star in the latest screen adaptation, released today.
NEXT WEEK 1-7 DECEMBER 2012
SATURDAY
BECK TO BLIGHTY?
He inspired a generation of pupils to pull on their boots, but David Beckham’s American adventure is at an end. Today is the Major League Soccer cup final and the last game that Goldenballs will play for LA Galaxy.
SUNDAY
CYBER DECIDER FOR GAMERS
Dextrous thumbs at the ready as finalists from 69 countries are whittled down in the World Cyber Games Grand Final. Games include Star Craft II and Warcraft III, which will no doubt mean something to your pupils.
MONDAY
INTERESTING TURNER EVENTS
What do awesomely named Spartacus Chetwynd, Luke Fowler, Paul Noble and Elizabeth Price have in common? Come on art teachers. They are all nominated for this year’s Turner Prize, to be awarded today.
TUESDAY
THE FOOD OF LOVE
“She smells of almonds, like a plump Bakewell pudding; and he is the spoon, the whipped cream, the helpless dollop of warm custard ...” This and more at Literary Review’s Bad Sex in Fiction Awards, decided tonight.
WEDNESDAY
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
Edu-guru Sir Michael Barber will discuss how education systems around the world can innovate. We need a revolution to meet the challenges of the 21st century, he will tell the Institute for Public Policy Research.
THURSDAY
FIR AND SQUARE
Time to fight your way into the loft and dig out that plastic tree again. The Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square will be lit up today. It is a gift from Norway in return for British help in the Second World War.
FRIDAY
A WALK IN WINTER WONDERLAND
It might be chilly and wet here but spare a thought for Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who is on his way to Antarctica. The 68-year-old is attempting “the coldest journey on Earth” by crossing the continent in winter. Brrrr.
