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03/09/2003
‘Unfulfilled’ graduates directed towards teaching
A £12 million government advertising campaign is to redirect "workers in unfulfilling jobs" towards a career in teaching.
Backing the campaign, School Standards Minister David Miliband said there has never been a better time to be a teacher: “By providing more support, we are ensuring that teachers have the time and space to do what they do best - teach. There are now 25,000 more teachers in schools since 1997 and over 80,000 more support staff. With better pay and support, teaching has become an attractive career option.”
However, these claims were refuted by a recent survey of Head Teachers for the Times Education Supplement that revealed that almost 3,500 jobs had been lost this year in secondary schools.
While the government blamed the cuts on falling pupil numbers, the poll of secondary school head teachers indicated that three-quarters of the redundancies had not resulted from fewer pupils as cuts had taken place in schools where pupil numbers were similar, or in some cases even higher, than in previous years.
The latest government campaign catch lined 'use your head, teach' aims to attract people to a career in teaching. It uses images of headless figures to demonstrate how well qualified people are under-using their skills and knowledge in the workplace.
An associated advertising drive in newspapers, magazines and poster sites, and a website will support the commercial. The whole campaign will cost around £12 million in its first year.
According the government figures a previous campaign, 'Those who can, teach', attracted more than 100,000 people into teacher training in England over three years.
This scheme was widely criticised by educationalists and teachers for its approach to the issue, and for failing to attract people into teaching as a long-term career.
Some trainees on postgraduate courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6,000.
(SP)
Backing the campaign, School Standards Minister David Miliband said there has never been a better time to be a teacher: “By providing more support, we are ensuring that teachers have the time and space to do what they do best - teach. There are now 25,000 more teachers in schools since 1997 and over 80,000 more support staff. With better pay and support, teaching has become an attractive career option.”
However, these claims were refuted by a recent survey of Head Teachers for the Times Education Supplement that revealed that almost 3,500 jobs had been lost this year in secondary schools.
While the government blamed the cuts on falling pupil numbers, the poll of secondary school head teachers indicated that three-quarters of the redundancies had not resulted from fewer pupils as cuts had taken place in schools where pupil numbers were similar, or in some cases even higher, than in previous years.
The latest government campaign catch lined 'use your head, teach' aims to attract people to a career in teaching. It uses images of headless figures to demonstrate how well qualified people are under-using their skills and knowledge in the workplace.
An associated advertising drive in newspapers, magazines and poster sites, and a website will support the commercial. The whole campaign will cost around £12 million in its first year.
According the government figures a previous campaign, 'Those who can, teach', attracted more than 100,000 people into teacher training in England over three years.
This scheme was widely criticised by educationalists and teachers for its approach to the issue, and for failing to attract people into teaching as a long-term career.
Some trainees on postgraduate courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6,000.
(SP)
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09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
14 April 2005
Conservatives pledge return to 'traditional' teaching methods
Michael Howard has pledged a return to traditional teaching methods, using phonics to teach children how to read and write. Speaking during an election campaign conference in London, the Conservative leader said that the methods would help to ensure that children of immigrants learnt how to speak English.
Conservatives pledge return to 'traditional' teaching methods
Michael Howard has pledged a return to traditional teaching methods, using phonics to teach children how to read and write. Speaking during an election campaign conference in London, the Conservative leader said that the methods would help to ensure that children of immigrants learnt how to speak English.
16 December 2003
Good leadership 'essential' for schools' performance: report
Good leadership and management of teachers and other school staff are "essential" if schools are to improve, according to a new report published today by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
Good leadership 'essential' for schools' performance: report
Good leadership and management of teachers and other school staff are "essential" if schools are to improve, according to a new report published today by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
07 April 2003
Wider role for teaching assistants outlined
Teaching assistants could have a new role in supporting pupil learning under plans set out in a new consultation published today. The document outlines a set of standards for higher-level teaching assistants, changes to teachers' contracts and regulations on the role of support staff.
Wider role for teaching assistants outlined
Teaching assistants could have a new role in supporting pupil learning under plans set out in a new consultation published today. The document outlines a set of standards for higher-level teaching assistants, changes to teachers' contracts and regulations on the role of support staff.
28 April 2005
Number of school nurses ‘needs to double’
The next government will need to double the number of school nurses to ensure that all children have access to a school nurse, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. Research commissioned by the RCN showed that, on average, one school nurse in the state sector covers at least ten schools, caring for an average of 2,400 pupils.
Number of school nurses ‘needs to double’
The next government will need to double the number of school nurses to ensure that all children have access to a school nurse, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. Research commissioned by the RCN showed that, on average, one school nurse in the state sector covers at least ten schools, caring for an average of 2,400 pupils.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
