Blog Posts under Schools

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Debate of the week: Children denied their first choice of school

by Emily

It's a tough time for thousands of Year Six pupils and their families. Last Monday was "national offer day", when local councils send out letters to around 540,000 families across the country to let them know whether they had been given a place at their preferred choice of secondary school.

Sadly, ...

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Debate of the week: All work and no play

by Emily

Teachers, tutors and educational campaigners have expressed alarm at today's announcement that a state school with a 10 hour working day is to be piloted in the UK.

Based on a charter school programme in America, the new academy will open at 7.30am and run until 5pm or 5.30pm to "maximise opportuni...

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Public spending on schools in no danger

by Emily

In his latest address to the labour party, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged not to cut spending on schools and other places of education. In addition to this, he has also promised vital work experience opportunities for young school leavers who are looking for work, more university places to ...

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Teaching assistants 'hinder children’s progress'

by Emily

A recent government-funded survey has revealed that pupils who receive classroom help from teaching assistants actually make less progress than those that don't. The report explained that support staff tend to spend more time with the children than the teachers do, thus reducing their ability to lea...

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Free school meals for all?

by Emily

A £40m trial is underway in County Durham and the East London borough of Newham that enables pupils to have free lunches. Children's behaviour, health and academic standards will be closely monitored to see how they are affected, and if it is successful then other parts of the country may soon benef...

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