A survey by the LGA says that 20% of councils have experienced increased demand for state school places in the past six months - with another 13% of councils expecting extra pressure on places in the future. We can agree some of this problem is being caused by the recession but if the LGA and the government read postings on this site in the last year they will learn this is not a new phenomenon. Parents would like them to understand the terrible problems over schools places.
Of …

Heads’ action threatens two pillars of Labour education reform: pupil tests and league tables
By Richard Garner, Education Editor
The death knell for national curriculum tests was sounded by head teachers yesterday as they warned all preparatory work would cease in schools from September.
The decision by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) to ballot on a boycott of the tests in maths, English and science means …

“The Key Stage Three tests had no negative consequences. We should re-establish the tests – when you make a mistake, rub it out and put it back.”
One delegate, Stuart Merry, from Kirklees, opposed the union’s plan, arguing that scrapping the tests for 11-year-olds would help children “regain their right to childhood”.
“Children, particularly in Years Five and Six at primary school, aren’t receiving the broad and balanced curriculum they’re entitled to…

This is a reply on behalf of Jim Knight in response to an appeal from ParentsOutloud to help with the School Place Problem posted opposite relating to twins being offered places in different schools.
Dear Ms Morrissey
Thank you for your email of 5 April, addressed to Jim Knight, about primary admissions. As you can appreciate the Minister receives a great deal of correspondence and is unable to personally reply to every letter and email he receives. Therefore, on this occasion, I have been asked to reply on his behalf.
…

By Graeme Paton, Education Editor telegraph
The National Union of Teachers wants an increase more than four times higher than the Government’s public sector pay settlement, prompting accusations that they are out of touch with the realities of the economy.
Private sector workers are seeing their salaries fall at the fastest rate on record and the value of their pensions crumble. Consequently, Gordon Brown has pledged to limit the growth of pay for public sector workers - whose pensions are guaranteed by the state, to 2 per cent.
Public sector workers could see …

I have 5 year old twin boys and they were both placed at a school some distance from our house which was not on our preferred list. They have been on the waiting list for their preferred school and a place arose for one of the twins. However, Brighton & Hove Council insisted that we either take the place or lose it. They were not willing to keep the place open until a second arose. Needless to say we declined the place as both for psychological and practical reasons. We …

The Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of teaching and learning. The Awards were established to help build morale and generate national pride in the teaching profession. They aim to:
•    highlight the vital role of education in the social and financial welfare of Britain
•    honour and thank teachers, heads, teaching assistants and school governors publicly
•    encourage the sharing of expertise in education
•    promote teaching as a career
•    involve a wide spectrum of stakeholders in education.
Every year, all 29,000 schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are invited to nominate their …

The vexed issue of school places is upon us , parents get more and more distraught every year and this year will be worse yet again as many will have to take jobs wherever they can get them with added financial problems. They don’t need the extra worry about how they will get their child in to a school. If schools are oversubscribed, the government should give councils the financial support to put on a second form entry. It’s time that Ed Balls and Jim Knight …

Geraldine Nicholson
Chair, No Third Runway Action Group (NoTRAG)

To build a third runway at Heathrow airport the No Third Runway Action
Group say:
“Schools will be bulldozed or rendered useless, removing parental choice, dislocating children’s lives, disrupting their friendships, and having a detrimental effect on their education. Apart from the 80+ schools in the London Borough of Hounslow that would suffer the disruption of continuous noise throughout every school day, seven schools in the London Borough of Hillingdon would be severely affected. You cannot soundproof playgrounds and you cannot expect our children to …

I have always supported teachers and admire the work they do. Anyone who has spent time in a classroom understands teachers earn every penny they get and more, so can I put that one to bed. I have learnt a lot today by the number of comments placed on this Blog, some by those who admit to being teachers, have been rude , personal and offensive. I would not dream of writing about a person I did not know in such a manner. You have every right to …