Billy Camden | Schools Week

Epidermolysis bullosa sufferer Sohana Collins honoured in Pride of Britain awards

The courage of a pupil from the City of London School for Girls was honoured last week at the Pride of Britain Awards. Sohana Collins (pictured right) suffers from the rare genetic condition, epidermolysis bullosa, which makes her skin so fragile that the slightest knock or scrape can cause serious injury. Despite her condition and spending […]

Guidance on gender inequality

New guidance to help teachers end gender inequality in the classroom has been released. “The Gender Issue” from the Sex Education Forum aims to helps teachers understand that gender inequality “underpins the lives of children, adolescents and adults alike”. The guidance includes views from teachers and interviews with sex education experts, tips on what to […]

Literacy platform goes live in 100 countries

A literacy initiative started by a group of teachers in Yorkshire has gone global after receiving plaudits from teachers and famous authors around the world. Education platform Pobble, originally called “LendMeYourLiteracy”, was started by the group of literacy advocates in Harrogate to help to build local children’s confidence in writing. The four founders developed the […]

David Cameron’s truancy plans will put a ‘wedge’ between schools and families

Docking child benefits to people who refuse to pay a penalty after their children play truant will only “drive a wedge” between schools and families, a teaching union has warned. The prime minister told BBC Breakfast the government’s plan this morning, but insisted it was being put in place to ensure children get “the great […]

England has ‘highest expulsion rate in Europe’

England’s expulsion rate is “out of control” because getting rid of struggling pupils is “in the interests of schools”, prominent social geographer Danny Dorling warned. Speaking at a fringe event organised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the University of Oxford’s Professor Dorling (pictured) said that England had the “highest expulsion rate in Europe”. […]

Academic hits out at free school ‘entrepreneurs’

An academic hit out at entrepreneurs “without a great deal of experience” opening free schools as opposed to the “collective wisdom” of local authorities, despite his closeness to two flagship projects. Professor James Arthur, a University of Birmingham professor who has been a key player in his employer’s plans to open a free school, told […]

Serena goes back to school

Celebrities including tennis star Serena Williams, right, and footballer Neymar will take part in the world’s largest lesson later this month. The lesson will be held in classrooms on every continent during the week beginning September 28, reaching a potential 500 million pupils aged eight to 14. The initiative, launched by the Global Goals campaign […]

Morgan catches the mood

Nicky Morgan, above, teamed up with pupils and rugby professionals at a London school last week to launch On The Front Foot, a scheme in which rugby premiership coaches will be drafted into schools. The education secretary joined Saracens coaches and former premiership stars Hugh Vyvyan and Chris Bell, who were introducing Goldbeaters Primary School […]

Dogged determination

TV presenter Angellica Bell is leading a call for all children to learn British sign language. The former children’s presenter has made a free educational video for national charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, to help to raise awareness in schools. The One Show reporter says that she is thrilled to support the Let’s Hear […]