THIS WEEK
19-25 JANUARY 2013
SATURDAY
Show us the money
A would-be postgraduate student is suing an Oxford college for “selecting on the basis of wealth” because it makes applicants prove they can pay thousands in tuition fees and living expenses.
SUNDAY
More trouble at the beeb
Telephones at the BBC complaints department were ringing off the hook when its CBeebies channel screened an old episode of Tweenies featuring a character impersonating predatory sex offender Jimmy Savile.
MONDAY
A-level dropouts revealed
Thinktank Policy Exchange found that one in three A-level students drops out after a year. Students shy away from vocational courses because they are seen as a “dumping ground” for the less able, apparently.
TUESDAY
That’s rich
Wondering where all the dosh for the new mobile classroom went? Author Chrystia Freeland spoke at the House of Commons about her book Plutocrats: the rise of the new global super-rich and the fall of everyone else.
WEDNESDAY
What do you want to be?
Once upon a time the careers adviser decided one’s destiny with the stroke of a pen. The Commons Education Select Committee reported today on the impact of schools’ new duty to provide independent careers advice.
THURSDAY
Hanging in the balance
The government published statistics on how local authorities spend their education budgets. Schools keeping too much cash tucked away will also be exposed as their balances are published. Eek!
FRIDAY
Emotional eating conference
The first ever conference on “emotional eating” is being held in London by eating disorder charity Beat and the Royal College of Nursing. Delegates will learn what triggers overeating.
Next week
26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2013
SATURDAY
A day for down under
G’day sports, it’s Australia Day. The first British fleet arrived at Sydney Cove in 1788 and Britain declared itself well and truly in charge. It then filled the landmass with rabbits and convicts.
SUNDAY
What larks
Is this a mistle thrush I see before me? No, it’s an old sock. Children love taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, which asks volunteers around the country to survey the bird populations in people’s back gardens.
MONDAY
Hit for six
To India, for the women’s cricket World Cup. Defending champions England will set the action rolling by playing Pakistan. Let’s hope it’s a bit less leg before wicket and a bit more double century for our sporting heroines.
TUESDAY
Over the moon
An exciting day for English teachers as the Costa Book of the Year is announced. Severely dyslexic writer and illustrator Sally Gardner is in the running for her children’s book Maggot Moon.
WEDNESDAY
Folk gets flashy
Music teachers alert: the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards will take place in Glasgow today. As folk rides its current wave of popularity, expect it to be an unusually glamorous gathering.
THURSDAY
Many unhappy returns
Most teachers are on PAYE, but for anyone moonlighting as a children’s entertainerhome tutorpastry chef, it’s time to file that self-assessment form. About as much fun as cleaning out the dishwasher filter.
FRIDAY
Celebrating diversity
The lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people will be celebrated in LGBT History Month, which starts today. The focus of this year’s event is maths, science and engineering.
