Nicky Phillips | Schools Week

Teachers report ‘inadequate’ algebra grasp among A-level maths students

Students embarking on maths A-level programmes often have an inadequate grasp of algebra, a survey of teachers has revealed. Research carried out by Nicky Rushton and Dr Frances Wilson of Cambridge Assessment will be presented to the British Educational Research Association (BERA) annual conference in London today. The survey results will be delivered along with […]

Hunt’s Fight Back : Day 2 Roundup of Labour Conference

Where yesterday’s conference speeches from shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt felt like an imbalanced half of a football game; today felt like his comeback tour. In a speech and question session at the NASUWT union fringe Tristram Hunt came out fighting – defending Labour’s record on sponsored academies and outing problems with Ofsted. But let’s […]

Is it illegal to run a vegetarian school?

The introduction of universal free school meals for infants this month means questions are being asked about their nutritional and monetary value. However solicitor, Jade Kent, asks a different thorny question about their content. It’s an unusual question, but one that needs to be posed in an education system which now opens the door to […]

New ways of finding free school properties are needed urgently

As new free schools are due to open this month, some have opened in temporary accommodation and others have had to delay due to lack of suitable site. Natalie Evans suggests a better way forward. In many ways, the building should be the least important part of setting up a new school. Yet all too […]

Enterprising winners at Fiver Challenge awards ceremony

Young entrepreneurs from primary schools across the UK this week celebrated their success with Sir Richard Branson at the Fiver Challenge Awards Ceremony in London. The Young Enterprise Fiver Challenge provides pupils, aged five to 11, with £5 for one month and encourages them to create their own mini-businesses. The awards, introduced by former Blue […]

Should we care about no notice inspections?

In 2009, Ofsted trialled no notice inspections. This week they announced a second attempt. Liam Collins explains some unexpected problems of this idea. Earlier this week, when Sir Michael Wilshaw announced Ofsted would be trialling 40 no notice school inspections, I wasn’t shocked or surprised or worried. I was actually quite bored by it. The […]

Plymouth school steps back in time

A Plymouth primary academy brought history to life as they swapped the classroom for a First World War re-enactment. Almost 40 children from St George’s Church of England Primary Academy, in Stonehouse, transformed themselves into land girls, soldiers and nurses to commemorate the centenary of the Great War. The children visited Saltash Museum and Elliott’s […]

Students’ try new rugby hub

Andover Rugby Club kicked off a new satellite programme encouraging students to play team sport at a Hampshire academy last week. Winton Community Academy’s new rugby hub is an extension of the area’s community sports club, targeting 14-to-25 year olds. Professional coaches will be used every week to train young people from the school and […]

Academy raises £13k for cancer charity

Students from a Durham academy have raised nearly £13,000 for charity after organising a host of fundraising events. North Durham Academy, Stanley, chose Teenage Cancer Trust as their charity last academic year and this week presented them with a cheque for £12,921. Highlighted events included a Wiggy Onesie day where students wore onesies or a […]