Latest News

New 3D Technology Set To Revolutionise Teaching

2011-10-05T15:15:33Z

Lord Winston raised concerns over the number of children not having access to science facilities when he addressed the annual Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference on Thursday.

However, a new three-dimensional project that looks set to revolutionise the classroom and how children learn may provide the answer to Winston's fears.

Researchers have been testing a new teaching tool: presenting content via three-dimensional projectors. DLP Products initiated the independent study alongside Professor Anne Bamford, director of the international research agency. Bamford visited 15 schools across seven European countries to test the technology.

The project, which involved 740 students and 47 teachers, was conducted between December 2010 and May this year. Students were tested before and after lessons, with one control group learning with 2D methods and the other receiving the same teaching but with extra 3D content.

The pupils, aged 10 to 13, were also tested on their ability to recall the information taught in the lessons four weeks later and their levels of engagement during the teaching sessions were recorded by the researchers.

Bamford relayed the success of the project at a conference last week.

"Across all of the schools, 3D shortened the time it took for students to learn concepts, increased their attention spans and resulted in overall deeper thinking from the students", she said.

"The findings indicate that 3D projection should be considered now and into the future when looking for ways to improve students learning and engagement."

Eric de Jong, one of the teachers who experimented with the technology, said his students asked more questions and were more attentive.

"With the technology, more things are possible," he said. "I could show the children how blood flows through the heart, rather than just telling them."

Some of the more impressive results included:

On average, 86 per cent of pupils improved from the pre-test to the post-test in the 3D classes compared to 52 per cent who improved in the 2D classes
Individuals improved test scores by an average of 17 per cent in the 3D classes, compared to an eight per cent improvement in the 2D classes between pre-test and post-test
A total of 92 per cent of students on average were attentive during 3D lessons, while only 46 per cent were actively paying attention during non-3D lessons

But it wasn't just the pupils who responded well to the new technology.

"Many of the pupils said their teacher was 'nicer' ", added Bamford. "According to the students, the teachers became more excited about what they were teaching."

Bamford sought to allay fears 3D would dominate the classroom and impinge on interaction between pupils.

"The students don't want it all the time. It was something they wanted to dip in and out of. I certainly would not want it to replace traditional learning.

"The children have been inspired by the technology. They are suggesting new ways of learning in 3D. One Italian class asked if they could create a programme for learning English. It's remarkable."

Although concerns were raised over schools becoming too reliant on the technology, Kathyrn Macaulay, the deputy head of the Abbey School, Reading, insisted the new learning technique would not affect the role of the teacher. The school was one of the schools participating in the study and Macaulay said she was "blown away" by the impact of the new method.

"Everything is still down to the person standing at the front of the room. The technology does not detract from the teachers' role or skills and it cannot be a substitute for poor quality teaching."

Bamford added she would not want it to replace practical laboratory experiments and it should be used alongside current teaching methods.

After the conference, The Huffington Post spoke to one school governor who welcomed the new technology but expressed a fear it would widen the gap between wealthy and struggling schools.

"There's no doubt it's a fantastic development which obviously aids children's learning enormously. But how many schools will actually be able to afford this? I just think it will heighten the difference between wealthy, private schools and the under-funded state sector."

Schools who are considering using the technology will need 3D glasses and software, a projector, a computer and a graphics card. The equipment doesn't come cheap although most projectors are capable of displaying the 3D projections. The company website describes exactly how the projections work and details purchase information.

Why Do Lions Have Manes? Oxford University Release Interview Questions

2011-10-05T10:14:50Z

Why do lions have manes? Why are both ladybirds and strawberries red? And if the punishment for parking on double yellow lines were death, and therefore nobody did it, would that be a just and effective law?

If you can answer any of the above then you may be in with a chance of getting into the University of Oxford.

The university, which was recently ranked fifth best in the world, has released sample questions from its interview process in the hope of explaining the reason for even the most bizarre questions.

Each brain teaser has been provided directly from the tutors who conduct the interviews.

Director of undergraduate admissions Mike Nicholson, who wants to break down myths behind the notoriously difficult and odd questioning technique, said: "The interviews are an important but often misunderstood part of Oxford’s admissions process", he said.

"We want to show students as much as possible what they are really like so they aren’t put off by what they might have heard. The interviews are all about giving candidates the chance to show their real ability and potential."

Interviewer Steve Roberts of St Edmund Hall favours the question: "How hot does the air have to be in a hot air balloon if I wanted to use it to lift an elephant?"

But he has admitted that he does not expect candidates to actually calculate an answer.

"We use this sort of question to try to find how materials science applicants think about problems, and how they might operate within a tutorial. Things we are looking for include how readily they can see into the core of a problem."

Olivia, a graduate from Oxford University, shared her experiences with the Huffington Post. She said: "I personally wasn't asked anything I wasn't expecting but I did hear several horror stories.

"One of my friends was stopped halfway through her interview and told: 'I would ask you more questions but I doubt you'll know the answer.' Needless to say, she didn't get in."

Ouch.

Welsh Schools Crippled By Teacher Walkout

2011-10-05T08:47:54Z

Hundreds of schools and further education colleges are being forced to close as teachers across Wales down their tools and strike over pension changes.

More than 3,500 teachers belonging to the teaching union UCAC are are striking on Wednesday in reaction to the government's proposed public sector pension plans. The union was one of many to ballot their members and reported an overwhelming majority of 89 per cent voted in favour of a walkout.

The coalition is proposing changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), which would see the retirement age for teachers eventually rise to 68.

Elaine Edwards, UCAC’s General Secretary called the proposals “totally unnecessary, absolutely unfair" and "a complete lack of respect to educators".

She accused the government of failing to understand the nature of the teaching profession.

“The Teachers’ Pension Scheme is sustainable. That isn’t the problem. The problem is the enormous deficit created by the bankers – but the government won’t own up to that.”

“For teachers, taking strike action doesn’t come easily; we’re all too aware of the effect on pupils and their parents. But we’re concerned that this attack on pensions will have a negative impact on educational standards by making teaching a less attractive profession – and we know that that’s a matter of concern for parents too.”

Despite the Welsh Assembly being granted more powers after the devolution referendum in March this year, Westminster still dictate teachers' pay and conditions.

Addressing Conservative party conference in Manchester last Monday, chancellor George Osborne called the impending strikes "irresponsible".

A spokesperson from the DfE told the Huffington Post UK the government was "totally committed" to working with the unions.

“It is extremely disappointing that a small number of teachers from the UCAC union are planning to lose a day’s pay and go on strike while serious talks are still ongoing", they added.

"The Government is committed to this dialogue in order to agree a way forward. However, the unions also need to commit to genuine engagement and make constructive proposals.”

'I Am So Angry': Spearmint Rhino Boss Fumes Over Misquotes On Student Strippers

2011-10-04T15:44:35Z

John Specht, UK vice-president of lap-dancing chain Spearmint Rhino, has hit out at the media for manipulating the comments he made in an interview over student strippers.

Specht was accused by various newspapers of "urging" hard-up students to strip to fund university fees on Tuesday following an interview with with BBC Radio Sheffield , despite previously saying he empathised with the cash-strapped students.

In an exclusive interview with the Huffington Post UK, Specht was keen to tell his side of the story and set the record straight, saying he was both upset and angry at the media backlash.

"I do not want to come across as some disgusting person who targets innocent, vulnerable students. I would never 'urge' students to come in and strip. I swear on my mother's life I did not say any of those things.

"I just want everyone to get past this stupid headline that some idiot wrote", he fumed.

Specht, who has worked for the company for the past 12 years, wanted to emphasise the reason he was originally called in to be interviewed, which he says has been lost in the resulting media furore.

"Is there an increase in student lap-dancers? No. We have always had students, but I'd say they only make up about 18 per cent of staff. I have more students who waitress and bartend than strip.

"In fact, lap-dancers are not even employees. They lease space from us."

The American who has opened more than 30 clubs around the globe emphasised the strippers work at Spearmint Rhino voluntarily, and they are free to leave whenever they like.

"Nobody is forced to come in and dance. We do not advertise for our entertainers. It is a personal decision taken by adults. If they decide they do want to work at Rhino then they go through a lengthy interview process. We run a serious business and provide a safe environment.

"I'm constantly fighting to show we are a legitimate business", he added. "It is a good, fun, safe place to work."

But the company - and in particular Specht - came under fire from NUS women's officer Estelle Hart.

"The women that are being targeted by John Specht are intelligent women who are capable of great things but in order to pay for cuts made by this government they are forced to hide that away and have their worth judged simply by sexual availability.

"There is a myth that everyone who works in a lap-dancing club is making huge amounts of money but the reality is that many have to pay to work in the club with no guaranteed income", she added. "They can be fined for having a hair out of place, dressing wrong or if their appearance doesn't fit some arbitrary standard of attractiveness."

Listen to Specht's interview on BBC Radio Sheffield which features an hour into the programme.

The whole saga seems to have been blown out of proportion to such great lengths that a short film has even been made about it by Taiwanese Animators Next Media Animation who are famed for producing clips of Tiger Woods and Charlie Sheen...

'Teaching Better At School Than University' Student Survey Finds

2011-10-04T12:31:35Z

The majority of students experienced better teaching at school than at university, new research has found.

The study, commissioned by the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference to mark the start of their annual meeting, asked 1,000 students about their university and secondary school experiences.

The findings raise concerns that some students feel university is not living up to their expectations, with some rating the teaching they received at school more highly.

More than half (52 per cent) of those questioned rate the teaching they received at school more highly than that at university. The difference was more noticeable among privately educated pupils, with 61 per cent saying their school teaching was better.

Half of the students questioned had attended state schools and the other half were educated privately.

Worryingly, the majority of final year students do not believe tuition fees of up to £9,000 are value for money, the figures suggest.

Alicia, a third year student studying English Literature, said she was shocked at the amount of contact hours when she started university.

"I went from having seven hours a day at school to six hours a week at university. I realise university is mainly about working by yourself, but it is quite ridiculous.

"We are offered ten minutes a week of face-to-face time with tutors but these sessions get booked up weeks in advance. No way would I pay £9,000 for that."

The study shows many students currently at university would be unhappy paying the maximum £9,000 fees - which come into force next year.

A recent breakdown of tuition fees by a newspaper revealed lectures could cost as much as £50 each.

A mere 14 per cent of the final year students questioned in the survey said they would have been happy with the value for money if they had been charged a maximum of £9,000 per year, with 72 per cent saying they would have been unhappy.

In comparison, almost two thirds (62 per cent) of the students, who paid around £3,000 per year for their degrees under the current system, said their university course was good value.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "It is quite nonsensical to try to compare school teaching with university teaching as they are entirely different things.

"We agree that high-quality teaching in schools can have a profound effect on whether a young person enters higher education. Nonetheless, the different but complementary roles played by the schools and universities do need to be recognised."

Radio DJ: Teaching Kids About Politics Isn't All Fat Cats And Suits

2011-09-28T13:04:11Z

Radio DJ Reggie Yates has pledged his support to a campaign aiming to encourage young people to find their voice and bring citizenship education back to life.

As the government toys with cutting citizenship education out of the national curriculum when they review it in February, the Hands Up Who's Bored? campaign seeks to inspire young people fight for their right to receive a political education.

The initiative, backed by O2's Think Big programme, was launched by political activist and young campaigner Danny Bartlett. The project is encouraging young people to contribute to a national picture petition, which will then be delivered to education secretary Michael Gove next year.

Explaining why he decided to back the campaign, Yates told the Huffington Post UK he felt he had a "responsibility to be involved".

"The campaign really spoke to me. I wasn't taught citizenship when I was at school and I know I would have really benefitted from it."

The famous DJ described citizenship as "opening up a conversation".

"A lot of people struggle to find a way of engaging with young people", he added. "Teaching children about politics sounds really bloody boring but this is a way of connecting with them.

"The word politics brings up a mental picture of men in suits. We are led to believe it doesn't affect kids. That it's all fat cats and bankers. Teenagers should be taught about politics and their rights. It empowers young people to move forward."

Yates heard about the campaign through a friend and decided he would use his influence to endorse it. But he is keen to point out he is not doing it "to look good".

"I'm not one of those people. I'm doing it as it's something I believe in. I was brought up on a council estate, I have younger siblings; I know how difficult it is for young people from poorer backgrounds to make themselves heard."

The campaign was created in response to the interest founder Danny Bartlett encountered during his politics and citizenship workshops he ran around the country. Bartlett hopes the initiative will revoke the idea young people are disengaged - an aspersion he feels is unfairly cast on an entire generation.

"We consistently hear our politicians criticise young people for their perceived failure to positively ‘engage’ with public and community life", he says.

"Yet we face the very real possibility of losing from the national curriculum the one subject which teaches political literacy and motivates young people to take action on local issues and play a positive role in their communities.

"I want our nation’s politicians to see that young people in the UK care passionately about their right to receive a proper political education."

Research by O2, titled 'Youth Matters', found almost half (44 per cent) of 16 to 24-year-olds expressed an interest in politics while 43 per cent said they thought young people should play an "active part" in their community.

The survey spurred Bartlett on to launch the campaign in the hope it will enable young people to leave school informed of their rights, duties and responsibilities.

"As a subject, citizenship has the power to equip young people with the skills, knowledge and motivation to play an active and positive role in society", he said.

Bartlett, who has worked with young people for the past four years, was moved to start the campaign by his own experiences.

"When I was 15 I was expelled from school. I was politically frustrated. I saw people had the same struggles as I did and it inspired me to fight for a citizenship education."

The 25-year-old, who originally hails from Chelmsford, Essex, has already canvassed the support of Labour MP David Blunkett and will be addressing the Conservative party at their conference next week in Manchester.

Yates added: "Instead of kids sat in a classroom being talked at they have a chance to speak. It upsets the balance. This whole idea of a power switch is an amazing tool."

The DJ and television presenter started working in the industry when he was only eight. "I had producers and directors asking me what I thought. They wanted my opinions. I'd never been asked for my opinion before and nor had any of my friends. It was a foreign concept to all of us."

He recognises he was one of the lucky ones: "Being empowered is a really special thing that not a lot of young people get."

"But", he adds, "The beauty of the citizenship lessons is that they encourage young people to discuss and share their experiences. It makes them realise they do have a voice and a right to be heard."

According to the project, if citizenship was made only an optional subject by the government, it would leave Britain as the only developed country in the world which fails to teach its young people about the political system.

Bartlett is one of four people backed by O2, who have invested £1.25million in the Think Big scheme. So far, the network giant has supported around 900 youth-led projects.

A short film is also being screened in cinemas across the UK which documents Danny's story and his campaign.

Special Needs Teacher Who Tore Out Pupils' Hair To Make Voodoo Doll Struck Off

2011-09-27T12:33:08Z

A secondary teacher who threatened to put a curse on a special needs pupil and drown him, and racially abused two others, has been barred from teaching indefinitely.

Roslyn Holloway admitted to hitting, verbally abusing and threatening her students, all of whom had special educational needs. She also tore the hair out of two pupils' heads which she then pretended to use to curse them.

The 49-year-old, who taught at the Lord Silkin Trust School, Shropshire, for seven years, was barred from teaching indefinitely by the General Teaching Council (GTC) on Monday.

Holloway pulled out hair from one of her students during class and wrapped it around the leg of a keyring voodoo doll, the council heard.

She then told the student if she put the doll in water he would drown.

She also did the same with another student after he would not stop talking, telling him he would get hurt if she dropped the doll. The assault left the student with a red mark and lump on his head.

The GTC found Holloway guilty of using offensive language towards students during a drama lesson, referring to students as "Pepsi Max", "black boy", and "ginge". Holloway struck another student on the head in the school corridor, called him an "idiot" in front of his classmates and threatened to bang his head on the table.

Holloway, who taught students aged 13, also breached the terms and conditions of her employment contract by failing to disclose to the secondary school she had been cautioned for battery in 2009.

After parents complained, Holloway was told by her employers she had to change her methods but continued to terrorise her students.

The GTC, sitting in Birmingham, found her guilty of six counts of unacceptable professional conduct. Holloway, who was absent from the hearing, admitted all the allegations in a statement and accepted they amounted to unacceptable behaviour.

The panel described Holloway as causing "significant distress" to "vulnerable pupils" and demonstrating a "lack of respect for diversity and equality".

Is This Scottish University Paving The Way For Tuition Fees?

2011-09-27T11:23:50Z

A university in Aberdeen has become the latest Scottish institution to set tuition fees - but have instead adopted a different approach to try to create a fair system.

Robert Gordon University (RGU) has set three bands of undergraduate fees in the hope of reflecting how some courses cost more to deliver than others. Those involving laboratory or studio work will cost more than those which are centred around classroom teaching.

Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal and vice-chancellor of RGU said:

"We believe we have developed a framework that is both fair and pragmatic. By basing our charges on the cost of delivering our degrees, we are ensuring that we do not make profit from students who wish to study at RGU, while ensuring their study is not subsidised from revenues received to support Scottish and EU students. We believe that under the proposed structure, the university's position is fair and equitable to all UK students."

Many of the courses at RGU incorporate a year's paid placement as part of the curriculum, which will be charged at 50 per cent of the headline fee.

The bands are as follows:

Band one: All business, management and social science courses - £5,000 a year
Band two: All art and design, architecture and built environment, computing, engineering, health and science courses - £6,750 a year
Band three: Master of pharmacy - £8,500 a year.

Despite the university's effort to adopt a fair and not-for-profit approach to tuition fees, the institution joins the throng of Scottish universities embroiled in the European Union legal controversy.

Thanks to a loophole in EU law, students from any European Union country outside the UK can study in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and pay the same fees as locals. However, any students from the UK will have to pay full tuition fee prices.

Even though Scottish Education Secretary Mike Russell was recently quoted as saying he was "pretty sure" less than half of Scotland's universities would opt to charge maximum fees, he has so far been proved wrong.

The University and College Union Scotland previously told the Huffington Post their "worst fears had come to fruition".

But one student, who is due to apply to study at university for 2012, said he was pleased to see RGU were adapting their fees to benefit students.

Neil, 20, from Edinburgh, said; "It's refreshing to see at least one university isn't following the trend and charge maximum fees just because they can.

"The idea of charging fees depending on the course should be adopted by more universities as students who take the more intense, lab-based courses will probably be more likely to get a job after the course."

In the latest update, Strathclyde University confirmed on Tuesday they would set their tuition fees at £9,000 a year for students coming from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile students wanting to study at the University of Dundee will have to brace themselves to pay up to £54,000 for a degree. As Scottish university courses are traditionally four years, the university has promised to introduce specially- designed three-year courses to keep the cost of living expenses and accommodation down.

But these will not apply to courses which are the same length elsewhere in the UK, such as medicine and architecture, where the fees will be £45,000 and £54,000 respectively.

Principal and vice-chancellor of the university Professor Pete Downes defended the astronomical fees.

"We fully appreciate the views of students and their families looking at the costs of attending university", he said.

"By offering competitively-priced three-year programmes and combining this with very high academic standards, we think we have a very attractive offer for students."

Girls Like The Smart Guys, Says Rapper Chipmunk

2011-09-13T11:08:37Z

Chipmunk is better known for his rapping talents and duets with R'n'B superstars such as Chris Brown and Keri Hilson than as a figurehead for education campaigns.

So the 20-year-old, who cites Tinie Tempah among his friends and can boast of two Mobo music awards, seemed an unlikely candidate to back an O2-funded initiative to establish homework clubs for young people.

There will no doubt be some of you wondering how on earth interviewing one third of furry trio the Chipmunks (indeed, a colleague politely enquired "which one?") could be relevant to education. Well rest assured this rapper is neither Alvin, Simon nor Theodore - his real name is Jahmaal Noel Fyffe and he is in fact, an incredibly successful young artist, wielding huge influence over the youth of today.

Surprisingly, Chipmunk is genuinely passionate about education and keen to use his influence beneficially.

"There needs to be more of an understanding about how to connect directly to young people with the right message. If there’s anyone these young people will listen to it’s us. Musicians, footballers - people in glamourised professions."

The platinum album-producing young man has his head screwed on and feet firmly on the ground when it comes to being a role model.

"I would advise people to go as far in education as possible, but do it for yourself. At quite a young age I realised it was important to educate yourself for yourself because education is priceless. It’s timeless.

"There’s certain life skills that come from being educated and we’re fortunate enough to be given the opportunity. Some people in third world countries would pray to have school, or a pen, or a ruler."

Armed with this unexpectedly mature attitude, Chipmunk makes the perfect partner for Marie Perryman Goins, a London youth worker, who is the brains behind the homework club initiative.

The inspiration behind the campaign, she tells Huffington Post UK, was simple.

"Lots of the young people I work with were telling me they were getting into trouble at school and home for not doing homework. So I lent them my computer, and provided them with the right equipment and it’s just grown from there."

Rather than overcomplicating the programme with aims, targets and strategies, Marie sets up shop and youths just turn up. It helps the 25-year-old is in tune with what makes young people tick.

"They'd much rather be out having fun than doing homework. The purpose is not to separate the two, but mix them together. It's all about encouraging young people to take responsibility for themselves and learn to manage their time accordingly."

But Marie admits it's not all fun and games. "Unfortunately there's only so many ways I can split myself. I can only run one club at a time. That's why I started the campaign - to encourage others to follow my lead."

The youth worker has created a checklist video so young people can identify the need for a homework club in their community and set one up themselves. Marie is hoping to expand from her club currently running in Kennington but will need more funding to do so.

The homework club campaign has been sponsored by O2's Think Big youth programme, which gives young people who do want to make a difference the chance to do so. Marie's campaign launched as research commissioned by O2 revealed almost two thirds of 11 to 18 year-olds admit to needing to do two hours more homework in order to succeed at school.

Almost half cited 'hectic lifestyles' as the reason for not doing enough homework.

Chipmunk, whose school days are not far behind him, sympathised with the difficulties of balancing social life and schoolwork.

"As soon as I got home everyone was out playing football so it was hard to motivate yourself. I found it incredibly hard to balance music with studies, especially as I signed my record deal when I was still at college. Sometimes I’d come into school with Tesco bags under my eyes but my teachers helped me sort out a work schedule around my shows."

“Where I grew up the girls liked the smart guys. Mr Popular wasn’t dumb. It might have been the case before my generation, but for my age, having a degree is standard. The whole perception that being educated is not cool is out the window. It’s finding the balance of educating yourself, keeping your options open. Being educated in life, it’s a good thing.”

The rapper wants to drum home the importance of being educated - whatever your profession.

"It would be so good one day to be a footballer or a hairdresser – if that’s what you’re good at – but also have something else to be proud of. Don’t spend 11 years in school and come out with nothing."

But, just as he starts to sound wise beyond his years, he slips back into being a young rapper with 'street cred' to protect by adding:

"It's a waste man ting."

Huffington Post UK senses the interview is over and thanks him for his time.

"Sweet", he replies. "Now I can get back to ma Blackberry."

Schools Are Excluding Pupils Illegally, Says CSJ Report

2011-09-12T16:09:42Z

Schools are failing to comply with their child protection duties by unofficially and illegally excluding "difficult children", a think tank has warned.

The schools in questions are failing to follow legal protocol by persuading parents to remove their children, rather than officially excluding them.

The report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) accuses schools of manipulating the current system to exclude what they describe as "society's most vulnerable children and young people".

Figures from last year show around 5,740 pupils were permanently excluded and 331,380 were excluded on a fixed-term basis, numbers that the CSJ describe as a "significant majority".

The report states: "Many pupils are being profoundly misunderstood within some mainstream schools. The underlying causes of their behaviour, and their needs, are not being addressed properly. As a result, there is a near-hidden group of children and young people in our education system which is being failed."

The think tank blames a lack of transparency as well as insufficient monitoring by schools, local authorities and the Department for Education and calls for action to be taken immediately.

CSJ Executive Director Gavin Poole said: "It is vital that unscrupulous and sometimes illegal practices indulged in are confronted head on. The money for these ‘ghost pupils’ is retained by the school, but don’t attend, with some schools failing to provide any suitable education or support to these children."

According to the CSJ, there is a strong correlation between exclusion, poverty and disadvantage, with special educational needs pupils, minority ethnic groups and lower socio-economic groups more likely to be excluded.

One case study from the report exposed a disturbing trend for schools to expel "difficult" children whose problems are far more complex than simple bad manners.

"In one school, we learnt of two brothers (two of eight children who have four different fathers). When they were aged five and seven, one of the fathers tied all of the children up, tortured them and then fatally shot himself in front of them. Each of these boys had been excluded from their primary schools by year four."

The report refers to the "common practice" of teachers telling parents that their child will be permanently excluded, suggesting this can be avoided if they educate him or her at home.

In light of the report's shocking statistics, David Cameron's answers to cracking down on truancy, which he aired in his education speech last Friday, seem simplistic and misinformed. To call for benefits to be taken away from parents whose children truant is by no means addressing the problem and the cause of truancy runs far deeper than a child's mere dislike for school.

The CSJ report also highlights a recent survey “of 15 to 18-year-olds held in custody,” which presented appalling findings in relation to their educational background.

It said: "Ninety per cent of the young men and 75 per cent of the young women had been excluded from school, and more than seven in ten had truanted from school."

The think tank also refers to the number of "harrowing examples" and "distressing accounts" of domestic violence against children, which led to aggressive behaviour. This could also lead to exclusion from school.

Katharine Birbalsingh: Teachers Are Too Scared To Speak Out

2011-09-09T12:50:47Z

David Cameron has vehemently defended free schools insisting discipline and a "complete intolerance to failure" is key in ensuring today's children have a bright and secure future in education.

Despite facing a wall of opposition, Cameron can be sure he has support from so-called 'Tory darling' Katharine Birbalsingh.

The former teacher was catapulted into the spotlight after being asked to speak at the Conservative Party Conference last year. Her outspoken manner and desire to speak the truth in the hope of exposing the failings of the current education system resulted in her suspension from school which she calls a case of "very bad judgement".

"I don't think I quite understood how big the conference would be", she says. "Had my school never sent me home, you never would have heard of me."

Birbalsingh, who was deputy head at St Michael and All Angels academy school in Camberwell, London, was given a standing ovation after her speech, but has since faced harsh criticism about her motives for telling the truth.

"A number of people attack me for my views. They say I'm doing this for my own benefit. But I’d like to know how I’ve benefitted from this. I’ve lost my job – a job a really loved. I’ve paid a massive price for telling the truth and I continue to tell the truth because I believe in it.

"The reason why I went into teaching was to change the world. And the way to change the world is through children. If we continue to deny our poorest an education, a chance to make something of our lives, then I don’t know how anyone can sleep at night knowing that’s what they’re doing.

But she admits it's a daily struggle to fight for what she believes in due to the reluctance of teachers to speak out.

"There are still a significant minority of people with a very loud voice who refuse to believe me. Teachers know it, but they don’t want it said. They’ll talk about it in the staff room but they’d never say it outside. They’re scared people would turn around and point the finger of blame at them.

"I’m accusing the system, not the teachers. They don’t want to ask for help for fear of it reflecting badly on them.

"Fear is strangling the system. Teachers can’t tell the truth. It smacks of a Stalinist Russia. It’s perfect just to be able to say I’m lying. Why would I lie? They say oh, she must want to be a politician, a media star, a talk show host. Am I? No. Why would I say it? The only explanation is I’ve invented all this in my head and I’m crazy and I’m making all these statistics up. We refused to accept the truth because it makes us feel bad."

Birbalsingh lays part of the blame at the door of the media.

"The public have a completely warped idea of what education is really like. I think some of them have a sense, but most have no idea of what’s going inside those schools. You imagine it’s like Grange Hill, Waterloo Road … But it’s just not."

But it is the idea of teachers not being able to speak out which really riles her.

"I'm not the only one who thinks the system isn't doing justice to our children but a lot of people say it behind closed doors. They’re scared. They say look at her – she told the truth and she lost her job. We’re not going to put our heads above the parapet.

"I’ve had numerous teachers emailing me, running up to me in the street, saying thank goodness someone said something. Then they say but I’m not going to tell you my name and then they run away again," she says. "They are drowning in silence."

"A number of people want to stick their heads in the sand and say we don’t have a problem. But all it does is perpetuate our class system and ensure our working classes cannot move forward, be well educated or have choices in life."

And here she makes a comment which surely must dispel the "Tory darling" label she has been trying hard to shrug off:

"The people who are closing these doors are those who had good education, were able to keep the doors open for themselves. And now they’re using that power to slam the door shut to those who don’t have a rich mummy and daddy or private tutors."

But surprisingly, Birbalsingh admits it is just another middle class idea where only those who can afford not to work can get involved.

"There’s no way you could set one up if you were working full time. The problem with the system is it’s taken up all my time. Anyone setting up a free school has sacrificed huge amounts of time and energy."

Eventually a chink in the armour of this seemingly unstoppable woman appears: "Maybe it won’t change people's lives- who knows? But at least it's something."

Cheaper Fees At Private University Raises Fresh Debate On Tuition Fees

2011-09-06T15:39:23Z

A private university has revealed it will be charging £5,000 a year to study, making its tuition fees some of the lowest in the UK.

The announcement came after Edinburgh University revealed it would be charging £9,000 a year, meaning undergraduates could pay up to £36,000 to complete their degree.

BPP University College will charge £5,000 a year for its three year courses and £6,000 a year for two year degrees. Students can opt for the latter and study through the summer - something currently unavailable at most other universities. The university has already seen a 200 per cent increase in applications since last year, suggesting students are willing to bypass traditional universities for a cheaper option.

In an interview with Huffington Post UK, CEO of BPP Carl Lygo said: "We offer the option to work during the summer meaning less fees and students are out in the job market sooner. Two thirds of our applicants apply with this intent."

Another institution not reliant on the government's higher education funding for survival is the University of Buckingham (BU). Both BPP and BU have their own degree-awarding powers granted by the Privy Council, which are reviewed regularly - unlike public universities.

But the private university system has come under fire from unions, politicians and public institutions.

A cross-party early day motion (EDM) against proposals to relax regulations and allow for-profit universities greater access to taxpayers' money has been signed by 124 MPs since June, including Sir Menzies Campbell and Charles Kennedy.

On Monday, Nick Clegg announced schools and colleges should never be run for profit. University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Sally Hunt has called on the deputy prime minister to make the same commitment to further education institutions.

"The privatisation plans endanger the quality and global reputation of UK universities and could see private companies getting rich at the expense of the taxpayer. This is the last thing we need here," she said.

But Lygo insisted private universities have more to offer than the standard degree course offered by public institutions.

"We are very much orientated around training students for a future career in industry, rather than theoretical, essay-based training. Most of the major law and accountancy firms use BPP to recruit their trainees and we have established contacts in both industries. One third of the legal profession train with us and around two thirds of accountants studied for their professional employment qualifications with BPP at some point in their lives. From last years graduates, only seven per cent are still looking for employment."

Despite BPP's cheaper fees, many private university degrees come at a far bigger cost.

In June, an elite-US style university headed by Richard Dawkins announced it would be opening its doors next September - with an £18,000 price tag attached.

A drawback for many students thinking of going private will be that borrowing a student loan to fund a private degree is currently capped at £6,000. Although this is currently under review in the Higher Education White Paper and may be raised to £9,000, the former figure has already been set for 2012/13.

The government have previously committed to promoting greater student choice by opening up the higher education market to alternative providers.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "We set out our plans in the white paper for a greater role for alternative higher education providers offering high quality and innovative teaching, wider choice and good value for students."

Additionally, BPP only offers courses in business and law, although these are available in six UK cities including London, Birmingham, Leeds and Swindon.

Jonathan Tatton, a 20-year-old straight A-student turned down Oxbridge to study law at BPP. He said: "When I chose my degree, employability and job prospects were at the forefront of my mind. I wanted to choose a course that would equip me for a life in a City law firm. But I didn't always plan to go to University, so I guess the traditional idea of the university experience held little appeal for me anyway."

Lygo agreed the courses aren't for everyone. "You don't get the whole student experience. Studying at BPP is more about progressing on to a career than living the student life for three years."

Schools Shun Faith Worship Law, Prompting Calls For Repeal

2011-09-06T10:41:34Z

A large number of schools in England are ignoring a statutory requirement to provide daily collective worship, a survey has found, renewing debate over whether the law should be repealed.

Almost two thirds of parents questioned said their children don't attend daily collective worship at their schools.

The research, conducted by ComRes on behalf of BBC Local Radio suggests maintained schools are forgoing their statutory duties to provide worship to reflect the “broadly Christian” traditions of England.

Of the 500 parents questioned, 64 per cent said their child did not attend worship assemblies. But the Church of England insisted the results of the poll were unreliable saying it did not differentiate primary and secondary schools where the former regularly had daily worship or reflection.

A spokesman for the C of E said: “Collective worship is when pupils of all faiths and none come together to reflect - it should not be confused with corporate worship when everyone is of the same belief. Evidence collected in Church school inspections shows that schools place a high value on collective worship.

“The Church strongly supports the law - although it is not its job to enforce it - as it provides an important chance for the school to focus on promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of its pupils.

The most recent legislation concerning the requirements for collective worship is in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This builds on previous acts, dating back to the Education Act in 1944, when compulsory collective worship was first introduced.

The 1998 Act states: “Each pupil in attendance at a community, foundation or voluntary school shall on each school day take part in an act of collective worship”. In community schools the majority of worship must be “wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character” and accord special status to Jesus.

The British Humanist Association (BHA), a charity which has long campaigned for inclusive assemblies, launched a government e-petition in August calling to repeal the law.

Chief executive of BHA Andrew Copson said: “The fact that so many schools don’t enforce the law shows that as it stands, the law is not workable. Teachers don’t want it, parents don’t want it, pupils don’t want it. Where it is enforced it is a violation of young people’s right to freedom of religion or belief and a barrier to the development of inclusive assemblies which would build community and be educationally useful.”

Independent schools are not covered by the education acts, but the newly established free schools and academies are. Schools can apply to have a multi-faith worship policy but this must be approved by the Secretary of State, and they cannot apply to veto faith worship altogether.

Martin Cooper, deputy head teacher of Mile Oak School, near Brighton, told the BBC fulfilling the government's worship requirement was difficult.

"Having a pressure within an Ofsted expectation to be seen doing the daily act of worship, in the way they want it to be every day is challenging," he said.

"In a school like ours, there isn't a great Christian ethos, so the message has to be a social one really. It has to be about how they are going to behave."

If state-maintained schools, including academies and free schools do not have a specific faith they adhere to, they must practice “broadly Christian” worship.

But the survey revealed 60 per cent of the 1743 adults interviewed are against enforcing the collective worship law.

Chairman of ComRes Andrew Hawkins said: ““This poll tells a story of declining support for Christian worship in schools. Relatively few parents say their children’s school complies with the law. Support for the current law is best described as lukewarm.”

Students Express Anger And Despair Over Unpaid Internships

2011-09-05T12:51:19Z

Students and graduates have expressed their anger and despair at having no choice but to work for free during internships in order to bolster their CV and increase their chances of future employment.

Several young people told the Huffington Post UK that unpaid internships are practically impossible in the current climate and the situation is creating an elitist gap.

Miriam, a fourth year PhD student at Oxford, vented her frustration having to find irrelevant work that pays her bills because all the 'top' companies expect their interns to work for free.

"I have sought out places at massive organisations with big budgets, but they can't find a small budget to pay an intern!? It is ridiculous. The result is friends who are financially better off, with parental support, can intern at top companies but and someone like myself, struggling to get into journalism, has to fall back on work which does nothing for my CV but pays the bills. If that isn't elitism, I dont know what is."

The full extent of young people working without pay was revealed by a survey published on Monday.

The advice group Graduate Prospects questioned 22,000 graduates and found 43 per cent were not paid for work experience.

The survey found graduates recognised the value of internships as they developed skills and built confidence. But many were left out of pocket and struggled to cover the costs of travelling and working for free.

Alana, 22, studied journalism at Cardiff University and graduated last year.

She said: "Everyone knows to get into journalism you have to have work experience. You need about a month to help establish good connections and prove what you can do but it's really hard to expect people to fund internships themselves.

"I've done about four placements now, all unpaid. A couple of times I haven't even been given expenses and I have to work in a shop full time to fund each internship. I realise they can't afford to pay everyone but it is frustrating when you are doing the same work as a fully-paid employee. Something does definitely need to change."

Nick Clegg launched the government's social mobility strategy on Monday, which focused on the problem of fair access to opportunities, in particular internships.

He said: "We want a fair job market based on merit not networks." He went on to outline the main proposed outcomes of the strategy which included employers opening up their employment methods and providing financial support to ensure fair access."

Lara, 22, from Brighton completed one month at a company selling LED lightbulbs. She said: "One internship was at a company that sold LED lightbulbs. I did one month unpaid and they asked me to stay on but I got the impression they simply wanted me to do so for more 'free labour' - my boss actually referred to interns as "office monkeys" so I negotiated a wage but on a temporary contract as I didn't want to stay there too long.

"My third internship was at a communications agency, which was unpaid. I had to eventually leave as I could not afford to work unpaid for so long.

"Interns were very much disposable and viewed as free labour although I think it very much depends on the culture of the company and the attitude of the boss."

In July this year, the government published a best practice code for high-quality internships. The guidelines, developed by the gateways to the professions collaborative forum, provided outlines to professions offering placements. The code set out six principles of best practice for internships including preparation, recruitment and induction.

The code also specified companies offering a placement of six weeks or more should pay the national minimum wage to an intern if they are contributing to a company, have specific duties and are working set hours.

Ollie, 22, interning at an education charity said:
"It's unfair that I feel almost 'forced' to undertake an unpaid internship to allow me to get to where I want to be.

"Even throughout the interview for the placement I felt it inappropriate to ask about money (since I had been selling my desire to work for them - the issue of pay seemed wrong).

"There are some full time roles that are coming up that I will be applying for and hopefully the internship stands me in good stead so I wouldn't say that I feel 'disposable'. I do worry though as I know current employees have interned unpaid for up to 9 months before being offered a full time paid role. I am not in the financial situation to do this and I feel the nature of unpaid internships is biased towards to the wealthy and even more so to the people living in London."

Dannie Grufferty, NUS vice president added: “Unpaid internships entrench privilege as only a small group of people can afford the expense of working for free, full-time and for around three months in order to gain the experience that is needed to get a paying job in politics.

"Being an intern is not like work experience, it involves hard-work and long hours. Young people are willing to put in the work in order to get a foot on the career ladder but if they are not paid at least the minimum wage then only a small number of people will be able to afford to take advantage.”

Intern Tom Hargreaves pointed out the worrying trend of auctioning internships to the highest bidder- some of which can go for as much as £15,000.

Trade Unions Congress (TUC ) general secretary Brendan Barber said:

“This is a deplorable state of affairs where young people eager to get on and start their careers are being exploited in this way. Not only are they increasingly having to work for free just to get on, there is a real danger that paid workers are gradually being replaced by unpaid interns. The government needs to crack down on employers who are abusing keen young graduates and make sure that minimum wage laws are being robustly enforced.”

The issue of unpaid work experience will be debated at the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) next week.

Gang Culture: Cameron's 'Tough Love' Is Helping No-One

2011-09-02T13:13:10Z

Whether it's parents, politicians or videogames, there is no shortage of scapegoats taking the blame for this summer's riots.

Inevitably, schools have taken their share of the brunt. And while half the country mourns the good old days of canes and terrifying teachers, even the Prime Minister seems to have decided the cause of all evil is due to lack of discipline in education.

On Friday, David Cameron announced he was adopting a "tough love" approach to discipline, while, plans for a military-style free school now lurk menacingly in the background.

But for the teachers who spend their working lives with children in gangs, and for those parents whose children have been killed in the violence, it will take more than soundbites to bring the UK's youth back from the brink.

In fact recent reports suggest there could be more than 250 gangs in London alone - and those gangs are getting younger and younger.

For all the criticism it may be that only schools have the ability to reach children with enough speed, resources and patience to make a real difference.

Yvonne Lawson is a teacher at a primary school in North London and lives in Enfield. Her son was knifed to death in the street when he returned from Oxford one weekend to visit childhood friends.

For her Cameron's statements about discipline and "tough love" miss the point.

“The idea strict discipline will prevent children joining gangs is completely wrong. Children need to be taught to empathise with each other," she said. "They need to be taught how to forge relationships with each other."

Children as young as five are already being drawn into gangs, Yvonne said.

"They will probably join a gang when they’re older. They need to be taught respect. It is so important for younger children to have social skills. Some of them have no way of communicating which leads to all this challenging behaviour. I know some schools are very protective of their young pupils and don’t want to even mention the word knife. But they see violence all around them. So why shouldn’t they learn about it? We can’t protect children forever. We can address violence positively.”

Psychologist Dr Gaelle Villejoubert, who lectures at Kingston University says that young people join gangs to take control of their lives. If schools educate those children earlier about the negative side of gang culture, there is a chance they will pull back.

"The illusion of being in control and it leading to good things is part of the reason why many youths join gangs. They see their peers indulging in criminal behaviour and follow by example. If these children were educated on the negative effects of knife crime and gang culture, they probably would not be tempted to join. It is very much a case of copying what they see others doing, especially if they only see the glamourous side.”

A project led by Lambeth police and the surrounding community has started educating children in schools as young as nine on the fatal consequences of knife crime. The initiative, Growing Against Gang Violence, is to be extended across 15 London boroughs in 280 schools. Surgeons and police officers will visit classrooms to talk about delivering messages to parents and treating knife wounds.

But some feel this is still not enough, and have taken it upon themselves to push the message even further.

Ray Donovan and his wife Vi set up the Chris Donovan trust in memory of their son who was murdered by a gang a week before his 19th birthday.

The Donovans have written a booklet aimed at schools and educating younger people on the effects of gang culture. The couple are hoping 'Five Minutes of Madness: A Lifetime of Regret' will encourage children to see past the perceived glamour of gangs and realise the full, often fatal, extent of joining one.

“Gang members are using children as young as four to carry their weapons," Ray Donovan said. "These children need to be educated about gang culture as young as possible. Our son was murdered 10 years ago. For my wife and I, and many others, it’s too late.”

Ray’s calls for the lessons to be given to younger children were echoed by Sally Knox, who is the mother of Harry Potter actor Rob Knox, who was stabbed to death in May 2008, aged 18.

Knox says it is never too early to address the problem: “My talks are mainly requested for secondary schools but I have also talked in primary schools to years five and six. At this age they are moving on to new schools and I believe this is the best time to start this kind of programme before they form their new friendships and spend more time out on the street alone. It is at this stage they need to be taught about respect for themselves and others and also need to be aware of dangers on the street.”

On August 31, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg unveiled an inquiry panel which would “listen to communities” in the hope of finding a solution. But some think the government is not looking in the right places.

Ray Donovan said that the riots illustrate a wider problem that has been ignored for too long: “It’s sad it has taken something as big as the riots to kick-start the government into taking action. This is just a knee-jerk reaction to the riots. It’s not getting to the root of the problem. Part of the reason the riots spiralled out of control were the already-formed large gangs who readily joined in without hesitation. One of the biggest problems is schools are reluctant to admit they have a gang problem. One school refused to let us talk to their pupils.”

Ultimately, however, even schools may not hold the key to such a complex issue as gang crime. The solution can only be for children to decide themselves that gangs are not the way to go - and sadly many parents still see no evidence of that happening.

"Hearing someone has been shot or knifed to death just washes over them," said Loretta Allen, whose son was shot and killed by a gang member. "These young kids who think a life of crime is the way to go need to be stopped in their tracks. You could be a good, single parent living on an estate and your child could be bullied or threatened into following gang culture.

"This thing about not ‘grassing’ seems to be the fear which controls these young kids or naïve young adults is so overwhelming. I still have not got justice for my son due to this wall of silence which police can’t seem to penetrate."