CES Monitoring Bulletin 25.09.06
Extended schools
The issue of “wraparound childcare” has been discussed at length in the press recently, as the DfES publicised its plan to offer increased access to homework clubs and extra-curricular activities to students out of normal school hours, and to open up school facilities to the wider community. The BBC and The Times commented on the arguments for and against the proposals.
The CES is working with the TDA-d to develop materials for training providers and schools governors on the delivery of extended services in partnership with other stakeholders in local areas. We would welcome news of any schools engaged in extended services. Please email sbillington@cesew.org.uk with details.
The concept of extended schools has also been linked to a general assessment of “childhood”, a topic examined by all national newspapers over the past two weeks. The Telegraph launched a campaign to “halt the death of childhood” (13 September, continued throughout the week including today www.telegraph.co.uk) and the Independent’s “Extra” section carried a long report on the topic of childhood in the 21st century.
Admissions
This topic is still of concern. The BBC highlighted efforts to assist parents in choosing the best school for their child(ren): ‘Help for parents choosing schools’ (16 Sept) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5349300.stm
The Independent reported on a study which indicates that voluntary-aided schools generally admit fewer pupils entitled to free school meals than would be expected given the local population (18 September).
(We are pursuing this issue with the authors of the original research because the CES will shortly publish information from Ofsted which contradicts this story).
“Faith Schools”
A whole section of the Education Guardian website has been dedicated to the issue of “faith schools”: http://education.guardian.co.uk/faithschools/0,,1034028,00.html.
‘Teaching Gospel Values’
The Catholic Herald carries a feature on Catholic schools this week (22 September), using a number of different examples to celebrate ethos as well as exam results.
RE Teacher Training in Wales
The Welsh Assembly has added RE to its list of priority secondary subjects. Eligible trainees on PGCE courses covering priority secondary subjects receive a £7,200 training grant and a £2,500 teaching grant
Teenage Pregnancy Strategy
The DfES published a press release celebrating a lower rate of teenage pregnancy and giving examples of best practice. However, the efficacy of the Government’s strategy was also questioned last week, with most newspapers featuring a story that the availability of the morning after pill has not reduced the number of abortions in the UK.
Church attendance
The Telegraph and The Times (among other newspapers) reported on the impact of immigration on attendance at religious services.
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