All posts tagged: schools

Independent faith schools should not join state sector, NSS warns

Independent faith schools should not join state sector, NSS warns

Published by Sam Flores

The National Secular Society has warned the Government not to pave the way for “a new wave of exclusive faith schools” by encouraging independent faith schools to join the state sector. Independent schools minister Olivia Bailey recently said in Parliament the Government is “supporting faith groups in their engagement with local authorities to explore options for those private faith schools that are interested in joining the state-funded sector”. The move follows the Government’s decision to apply VAT to independent school fees, which has led to some independent schools closing. In a letter to the minister, the NSS said encouraging independent faith schools to join the state sector poses “risks to social cohesion” and urged the Government to instead work towards “making our state education system more inclusive for all”. Independent faith school joined state sector bans female visitors from wearing trousers The NSS raised the example of Nancy Reuben Primary School, a formerly independent Orthodox Jewish faith school which became a state-funded voluntary aided (VA) school last year. The NSS highlighted how this school bans …

50% of schools have disused or not fit for purpose areas

50% of schools have disused or not fit for purpose areas

Published by skeptic

Ministers have been urged to “end the heartbreak of books versus pipes”, after a survey found half of school heads had parts of their schools that are disused or not up to the job. A poll of National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) members also shows over 55 per cent believe their playgrounds, loos and basic infrastructure, like doors and windows, aren’t fit for purpose. Two in five also questioned the suitability of their own specialist SEND facilities, as almost all of those polled stated they did not receive enough cash to maintain their schools. ‘Beggars belief’ NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “Some of the stories we have heard from school leaders about the state of their buildings, and their struggles to secure the funding needed to rectify things, really beggar belief. “Children deserve modern, fit-for-purpose schools with fantastic facilities, but where we still have ageing buildings which aren’t even warm or watertight, that sadly feels like a pipe dream for many leaders.” Paul Whiteman Fifty-one per cent of the 326 NAHT members who took part …

As Quebec’s secularism laws threaten religious identities, Ontario schools embrace them

As Quebec’s secularism laws threaten religious identities, Ontario schools embrace them

Published by Sam Flores

(RNS) — On a chilly March evening, my children and I, dressed in traditional attire — an abaya and hijab for myself, Pakistani shalwar kameez for my kids — walked hand in hand to my daughter’s public school in Ontario, Canada. We were greeted by hand-painted signs reading “Ramadan Kareem,” a phrase wishing others a blessed and abundant Ramadan, in both English and Arabic. Balloons, lanterns and extra-large marquee light-up letters spelling “RAMADAN” decorated the entire gymnasium, where a banquet was set up to celebrate the holy month for the many Muslim students and families who bring vibrancy to the school community. And not only Muslim families attended — school staff and friends hailing from different backgrounds broke bread together. One Muslim teacher loaned her best dresses to her non-Muslim teacher colleagues so they could be adorned just as glamorously to be a part of the festivities.  This welcoming community vibe is representative of not only Ramadan and Islam, but also of the school itself. It’s one of many ways Ontario’s public schools celebrate religious …

I’m out of a job after issues at the schools where I worked. Is it my fault? | Family

I’m out of a job after issues at the schools where I worked. Is it my fault? | Family

Published by Sam Flores

I’ve been a teacher for more than 20 years and loved it. I had promotions every couple of years and was happily making my way up the ladder. This year, however, I was made redundant because of restructuring and this has thrown me into a feeling of complete confusion. I have tried to find roles at the level I was working at, but have not been successful. It has left me feeling lost and unclear. The last five years within education have felt fraught. I left the previous school I’d worked at because I felt the headteacher was unable to support me following the death of my mum. The school before that I left after whistleblowing on a senior leader for bullying. I am worried the repeat issues and feelings of being unhappy all come from me, and somehow I am seeking out conflict or issues. I have a happy life with my partner and three children, as well as fantastic friends and siblings. But work is important to me and being out of it …

Understanding incel culture – and if schools should be responsible for addressing it

Understanding incel culture – and if schools should be responsible for addressing it

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Incels – involuntary celibates – believe they have been unconditionally excluded from the dating market and are doomed to remain virgins. This has negative implications for their mood and self-esteem, as well as the women and girls they grow to resent. For this reason, schools in England are now required to address incel communities, among other sources of online misogyny, in relationships, sex and health education. This is a challenging task when many teachers are already overstretched, and schools are increasingly expected to deal with problems that begin beyond the school gates. Addressing gender based discrimination and violence requires experts who are well prepared and able to support discussion around these sensitive topics in a manner that does not further stigmatise young people. Many young people worry about falling behind their peers socially and sexually. Sociological research shows this pressure is …

Understanding incel culture – and how schools can address it

Understanding incel culture – and how schools can address it

Published by skeptic

Incels – involuntary celibates – believe they have been unconditionally excluded from the dating market and are doomed to remain virgins. This has negative implications for their mood and self-esteem, as well as the women and girls they grow to resent. For this reason, schools in England are now required to address incel communities, among other sources of online misogyny, in relationships, sex and health education. This is a challenging task when many teachers are already overstretched, and schools are increasingly expected to deal with problems that begin beyond the school gates. Addressing gender based discrimination and violence requires experts who are well prepared and able to support discussion around these sensitive topics in a manner that does not further stigmatise young people. Many young people worry about falling behind their peers socially and sexually. Sociological research shows this pressure is observable from high school onward, with pupils mocking each other if they do not appear sufficiently experienced or interested. Survey data finds inexperienced adults are seen as less desirable, even by those who share …

MP’s Bristol school visit postponed for safeguarding, review finds

MP’s Bristol school visit postponed for safeguarding, review finds

Published by skeptic

A school which postponed a local MP’s visit due to planned pro-Palestine protests made the decision based on “safeguarding concerns” and there is no evidence of antisemitism, a review has found. Labour MP Damien Egan, who is Jewish, planned to visit Bristol Brunel Academy, part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), in his Bristol North East constituency in September. But the visit was postponed following opposition by local campaigners and school staff who are members of the National Education Union. The school said the visit was postponed due to safety concerns about a protest planned at the school site on the same day. Events prompted an unusual Ofsted ungraded inspection to investigate concerns of political bias. However, the inspection found “no evidence” to substantiate these concerns. CLF appointed Joan McVittie, former headteacher and past-president of ASCL school leaders’ union, to carry out an independent review. Her review, released today, concluded “the decision to postpone was based not on the MP’s religious beliefs or links to Israel but on a desire to protect him from potential …

Why Kate Middleton, King Charles & more royals were forced to abruptly change schools

Why Kate Middleton, King Charles & more royals were forced to abruptly change schools

Published by Daniella Wilson

Royal education has changed dramatically over the past few generations alone, with traditional home tutors swapped for in-house teaching at local schools and universities. In Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret’s case, they were the last generation of British royals to be taught behind palace walls, receiving lessons in the liberal arts, sciences, and language by governess Marion Crawford. Meanwhile, the late Queen’s eldest son, King Charles, was the first royal to embark on higher education, attending Trinity College in Cambridge from 1967 to 1970.  A handful of these changes have not been planned, however. Join us as we take a look at when royals have unexpectedly dropped out of schools, from the Princess of Wales fleeing bullies to Prince George moving across the country.  © Reg Burkett King Charles Buckingham Palace surprised royal fans when it announced that the then-eight-year-old Prince Charles would be swapping lessons with a private tutor for a school education as a day pupil at Hill House, starting in November 1956. However, his education there lasted just ten months …

Falling rolls: Schools given ‘limited’ DfE help

Falling rolls: Schools given ‘limited’ DfE help

Published by skeptic

Schools have received “limited” government support to manage the risks of falling rolls to educational performance and value for money, the spending watchdog has warned. The National Audit Office estimated a forecast drop of 56,300 primary pupils in the system in 2027 “could mean that schools receive £288 million less in per-pupil funding”. Julia Harnden, deputy director of policy at the ASCL leaders’ union, warned there had been “no government strategy to mitigate that risk and there’s a real danger that more communities will lose schools which have been a feature of those communities for decades”. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Conservative MP who chairs the Parliamentary public accounts committee, said: “It is deeply concerning that, despite pupil numbers declining since 2018, DfE has been slow to respond to the challenge and has not assessed the implications for education quality, particularly for the most disadvantaged pupils. “As pupil numbers are expected to continue to fall, DfE must make better use of its information and insights across the sector to support schools, clarify what a resilient and effective …

Los Angeles schools set limits on classroom screen time

Los Angeles schools set limits on classroom screen time

Published by Sam Flores

April 21 : Los Angeles’ school board on Tuesday passed a measure regulating students’ screen time during classroom assignments, reflecting concerns that technology could be linked to a host of ailments including obesity and depression. The school board of the nation’s second-largest school district approved the measure by a 6-0 vote with one recusal, making the Los Angeles Unified School District among the first in the nation to create systemwide, grade-by-grade limits on classroom screen time. “Along with the cellphone ban the L.A. Unified School District passed in 2024, we hope to be a national leader on these matters,” said board member Nick Melvoin, who sponsored the measure, through a spokesperson.  Proponents said the policy was meant to strike a balance between instructional needs and growing concerns that excessive screen exposure is harming students’ attention and social development. The district, which serves about half a million students, has relied heavily on laptops and tablets since the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 accelerated digital learning. “While access to and developing skills in technology are critical in a …