News
Archive for August 2007
Industry News
School uniforms 'help pupils belong'
Posted on 31st August 2007Following recent concerns about the potential cost of school uniforms before the start of the new academic year, one expert has suggested that school dress can be a positive way of helping children develop... read more.
Government "pleased" with school standards
Posted on 31st August 2007The Department for Children, Schools and Families has welcomed the latest results for seven-year-old children... read more.
Independent school welcomes girls
Posted on 30th August 2007An independent school in Scotland has opened the doors of its junior school to girls for the first time in 170 years... read more.
School pupils 'should pass swim test'
Posted on 30th August 2007A coroner has called for children taking part in school adventure holidays abroad to be required to pass a swimming test... read more.
Concern over violent writings at GCSE English
Posted on 29th August 2007Exam board Edexel has reported a "strong tendency" to write on violent themes in this year's GCSE English exam... read more.
Associated costs of education "difficult"
Posted on 29th August 2007Results of a survey released by Citizens Advice suggest three out of four parents and guardians find meeting school costs "very" or "quite" difficult... read more.
Parents 'failing to save' for university
Posted on 28th August 2007An expert has warned many parents are failing to save for their children's university education and instead, having to spend less on other things or use household savings in order to support their children at the time... read more.
No change in pre-school abilities
Posted on 28th August 2007Academics have claimed government policies designed to boost pre-school children's education abilities have had no effect and children's abilities have undergone no improvement since 2000... read more.
Parents pay price for private school
Posted on 28th August 2007A report has discovered escalating costs for private education has led to many families sacrificing holidays and making other cutbacks in order to pay for their children's education... read more.
NLA: student deposits now protected
Posted on 24th August 2007The National Landlords Association (NLA) has warned students of the dangers of losing their deposits at the end of their tenancy, as many leave home for the first time and move into rented accommodation... read more.
Record GCSEs 'but education gap remains'
Posted on 24th August 2007Schools Minister Jim Knight has congratulated students and teachers on recent GCSE results, which saw a greater than ever proportion achieving A* to C grades... read more.
'Parents prefer private education'
Posted on 24th August 2007A study by has shown 40 per cent of parents in Ireland would prefer to have their children educated at a private school... read more.
Learning 'needed from 0 to 18'
Posted on 23rd August 2007An expert has claimed "shiny new schools" will not help address levels of illiteracy in Britain and said there needs to be a focus on education from "zero to 18 years"... read more.
GCSE results and industry concern
Posted on 23rd August 2007It is another day of celebrations for many families across Britain as a record number of GCSE entries receive grades of A* to C, despite a small fall in overall passes... read more.
Conservatives: Core subjects in decline
Posted on 22nd August 2007The Conservatives have accused schools of steering pupils away from GCSEs perceived as tough, in order to boost their position in the league tables... read more.
Uniforms 'contribute nothing' to education
Posted on 22nd August 2007A Salford councillor for children's services and youth issues has launched an attack on the concept of school uniforms... read more.
State schools 'failing to meet GCSE targets'
Posted on 21st August 2007Over a third of state schools are failing to meet basic GCSE targets according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats, a newspaper has reported... read more.
Independent schools charitable status questioned
Posted on 21st August 2007Charities regulator Dame Suzi Leather has suggested yearly increases of the threshold at which independent schools qualify for charitable status to ensure schools benefit their communities... read more.
School bags 'worth £265'
Posted on 21st August 2007An insurance firm has published figures suggesting the average school bag of a child aged between 11 and 16 years old contains £265-worth of equipment... read more.
Student 'must-haves'
Posted on 20th August 2007An expert has published a list of university student essentials and at the top comes a laptop... read more.
GCSE results 'could rise again'
Posted on 20th August 2007Results are to be published on Thursday which are likely to show one in five GCSE exams has scored an A grade, an expert has claimed... read more.
'Generation text lack basic skills'
Posted on 20th August 2007The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned school-leavers often have 'dazzling' IT skills but lack basic abilities in English and maths... read more.
Britannia: parents should buy students homes
Posted on 17th August 2007A major building society has suggested parents offset their offspring's university debts by buying them a house... read more.
Universities forced to teach 'basic skills'
Posted on 17th August 2007A former chief inspector of schools has said A-levels do not teach students the skills they need to face university... read more.
Comprehensives fall 'even further behind'
Posted on 16th August 2007The director of one of Britain's largest exam boards has said independent and selective schools were responsible for the rise in students gaining top grades... read more.
Increase in maths A-levels
Posted on 16th August 2007There were definite increases in the number of students opting for maths at A-level, it was announced today as results were issued... read more.
Schools minister "disappointed"
Posted on 15th August 2007Schools minister Jim Knight has conceded he is "disappointed" about the one per cent fall in 14-year-olds achieving Level 5 in maths Key Stage 3... read more.
Expert: re-mortgage to pay fees
Posted on 15th August 2007An expert has suggested parents should consider remortgaging their homes to raise funds to send their children to private schools... read more.
Minister: more must be done for children
Posted on 14th August 2007Minister for schools and learners Jim Knight today congratulated children, families and schools on the latest Key Stage 3 exam results but said more would be done to raise the level of achievement... read more.
Uni costs soar
Posted on 14th August 2007.. read more.
'Stab-proof' uniforms on sale
Posted on 14th August 2007School uniforms lined with Kevlar are going on sale across Britain, manufactured by company Bladerunner... read more.
'No improvement' in education
Posted on 13th August 2007The Institute of Directors (IoD) today published its 2007 education report which surveyed 500 members and found widespread belief that standards have not improved since 1997... read more.
'Disproportionate success' of independent and grammar
Posted on 13th August 2007Candidates from independent or grammar schools will claim a disproportionate amount of the higher grades when A*'s are introduced to A-levels next year, claims an expert... read more.
Brown told to scrap A-levels
Posted on 10th August 2007The former chief schools inspector has urged prime minister Gordon Brown to abolish A-levels and replace them with qualifications that blend vocational and academic education... read more.
Thousands sign school uniform petition
Posted on 10th August 2007More that 4,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Treasury to abolish VAT on all school uniform items carrying a school badge or logo... read more.
CBI defends BSF plans
Posted on 9th August 2007The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has announced its support for the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, following criticism from MPs... read more.
School buildings upgrade plan questioned
Posted on 9th August 2007MPs on the Commons education select committee have raised concerns over the government's £45 billion Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project... read more.
Many parents 'unprepared for university costs'
Posted on 9th August 2007A significant number of parents have yet to make any plans to meet the cost of sending their children to college, according to a new study... read more.
Calls made for more private schools
Posted on 8th August 2007Underperforming state schools often fail to provide children with an adequate education, according to one expert who claimed that a greater number of private schools would help improve standards in the UK... read more.
Conservatives criticise Key Stage 2 results
Posted on 8th August 2007Following the publication of the latest Key Stage 2 results, the Conservative shadow education minister has criticised the government's handling of the education system... read more.
KS2 results 'show record achievement'
Posted on 7th August 2007Today's batch of Key Stage 2 results show record achievement for children studying maths, English and science, according to the Department for Children, Schools and Families. .. read more.
NAHT applauds staff dedication
Posted on 7th August 2007Mick Brookes, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), has praised the motivation and dedication among school staff. .. read more.
University launches 'gifted young people' scheme
Posted on 6th August 2007The University of Warwick has announced that it is to create a new organisation of the world's most gifted young people... read more.
History subjects "disappearing"
Posted on 6th August 2007Fewer school pupils are expected to choose to study history at A-level, according to one expert... read more.
Headteacher criticises Cameron's exclusion plans
Posted on 3rd August 2007Conservative party leader David Cameron's calls for an overhaul of the schools exclusion system has been criticised by one headteacher... read more.
Schools considering academy status 'may lose independence'
Posted on 3rd August 2007A number of independent schools are considering joining the state education system as academies, but this decision should not be taken lightly, according to one expert... read more.
PAT urges government to "give schools time"
Posted on 2nd August 2007Schools ought to be given enough to time to prepare for the introduction of new initiatives, according to one expert... read more.
Private school develops Chinese links
Posted on 2nd August 2007Having already chosen to introduce compulsory Mandarin lessons for its youngest pupils this September, Brighton College is to work in partnership with the Chinese government to promote teaching of the country's culture... read more.
Conservatives criticise "falling standards"
Posted on 1st August 2007Conservative party leader David Cameron has once again turned his attention to the UK's education system, criticising the government's attitude towards the sector... read more.
Schools "not getting it right from the beginning"
Posted on 1st August 2007Many children are unhappy with school when they reach the age of 16 and may not react favourably to having to stay on another two years if the school leaving age is extended, one expert has said... read more.
© Adfero Ltd 2007.SFS News
Have you got ‘What if?' on your kids'
Posted on 27th August 2007With A-levels successfully behind them, thousands of students across the country (across Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire/etc) are getting down to the serious business of planning to enter university. If they've done their homework, high on the checklist will be ‘Budget'... read more
What Insurances do Parents really need?
Posted on 20th August 2007Many parents assume that the school "opt out" scheme covers them for all the same eventualities as our Group Life Insurance Products. This is simply not the case. We know this because we are the only insurer who offer these products and services... read more
Teacher dies on rugby trip
Posted on 2nd August 2007PE teacher dies in rafting tragedy on school trip... read more