http://www.teachers.org.uk NUT News feed en http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18588835 A local National Union of Teachers' (NUT) representative has said that pupils' mobile phones can often cause disruption in lessons.In response to a poll by charity Parentline Plus, secretary of the Kirklees brand of the NUT Howard Roberts said: "We understand some parents are concerned and want to know their children can keep in touch. It is not an easy issue. But phones can be a bit of a nuisance," reported the Huddersfield Daily Examiner.The online survey asked parents what ... Mon, 12 May 2008 01:37:19 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18588833 Pupils struggling with reading are benefiting from a new scheme that sees them improving their literacy with one-to-one support from specially-trained teachers.Under the Reading Recovery programme, not only are children catching-up with their peers after a relatively short amount of time, but they are outperforming the national average for their age group within two years, according to research.Tailored lessons for half-an-hour a day for between 12 and 20 weeks are provided to six-year-olds who have shown literacy problems.Part of the ... Mon, 12 May 2008 01:36:35 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18588830 A meeting this week will discuss growing concerns that pupils are now subject to an excessive amount of testing.In response to the publication of a parliamentary report on the matter, the children, schools and families select committee is due to contend that students now face too many exams, reports the Guardian.It is thought that this latest development will put pressure on Ed Balls, the schools secretary, to limit the amount of testing that pupils have to undergo while at school.Labour ... Mon, 12 May 2008 01:35:45 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18588826 A secondary school has begun teaching its pupils 'mini-lessons' in a bid to boost learning by catering to small concentration periods.And pupils at Monkseaton Community High School in Tyneside are apparently increasing their results by half a grade, reports the Times, after taking part in the eight-minute lessons that are interspersed with breaks for educational games.Headmaster Paul Kelley said: "In rigorous evaluation, students show improvement regardless of subject, teacher or their ability."The school is now planning to roll out the ... Mon, 12 May 2008 01:34:48 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18586425 The apparent failure of trials to assess the viability of a new system for national curriculum tests has led to plans for changes.Only one in ten pupils passed one of the Sats exams piloted at over 400 schools over a two-year-period, according to the Times Educational Supplement.And the government now plans to alter the tests so results can be improved upon, including giving pupils more time to answer the harder questions on the papers.Teachers reported problems during the trials such ... Fri, 09 May 2008 11:54:50 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18586421 Reports suggest that teachers will be consulted about proposed changes to the Ofsted inspection system.But it is unlikely that they will have a say in the proposals to monitor the wellbeing of pupils, according to the Times Educational SupplementTeaching unions have criticised leaked plans to measure the incidence of pregnancies, bullying, obesity and eating disorders in schools, claiming that it is unfair that they will be evaluated for something that is out of their control.However it appears that teachers may ... Fri, 09 May 2008 11:54:17 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18586418 Two of the biggest unions in the country could be set to combine following the raising of a motion at a conference later this month.Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will consider merging with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) at their annual congress, reports the Guardian.This could be a longer-term possibility of a motion that encourages more co-operation between the two unions at local, regional and national level.A member of the UCU national executive committee, James Eaden, ... Fri, 09 May 2008 11:53:33 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18586415 Christine Blower, the acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, has condemned a speech made by Michael Gove yesterday. The Conservative MP told a conference at Brighton College that his party believes there is a need for a shift back to the teaching of traditional subjects, away from what he described as "child-centered" learning.He argued that education has become too "progressive", focusing on "skills" and "empathy" above "a permanent body of knowledge".Teachers have been dethroned by this ... Fri, 09 May 2008 11:53:10 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4319 Commenting on Michael Goves speech at Brighton College, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said; ... Thu, 08 May 2008 05:27:13 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18585302 The school's minister has announced new plans for youngsters to learn citizenship skills while getting them more actively involved in their school.Ideas such as a buddying scheme with younger pupils, as well as the implementation of school councils, have been suggested by Jim Knight.He said: "Giving young people a voice in decisions that affect them has a positive impact on the school environment and the local community." Following guidance in a report issued by the Institute of Education titled Real ... Thu, 08 May 2008 04:24:24 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=18585292 The Schools Minister has launched a review, aiming to strengthen the effectiveness of school governing bodies.Jim Knight wants to increase the value of the voluntary bodies, ensuring that "talented and skilled people" are attracted to the role, arguing: "Strong governors are central to turning around underperforming schools."England currently has 22,700 maintained school governing bodies and Mr Knight will be chairing a working group to discuss how they can be equipped with the right skills and information to help them achieve ... Thu, 08 May 2008 04:22:44 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4315 Commenting on todays statement to the National Assembly by Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education Lifelong Learning and Skills, David Evans, Secretary of NUT Cymru welcomed broadly the decision to ensure that additional monies would be made available for the Foundation Phase but warned that a considerable amount of work needs to be done between now and Septembers roll out if the implementation of this initiative is to be a success. He said: ... Wed, 07 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4314 Commenting on the latest truancy figures, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said; ... Tue, 06 May 2008 01:52:35 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4313 Brendan Barber, General Secretary TUC, speaking On April 24th ... Fri, 02 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=1384 Are you proposing to adopt a child? Find out here whether you and your partner are entitled to leave and pay. ... Thu, 01 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4309 The announcement by Jane Hutt, the Assembly Governments Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, that additional money has been found for the rolling out of the Foundation Phase for children between 3 and 7 in Wales has been welcomed by David Evans, Secretary of NUT Cymru.Nut Cymru Wecomes Extra Funding For The Foundation Phase. ... Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:32:28 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4307 Commenting on the Governments latest figures on children with English as a second language, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said: ... Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:00:34 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4306 Commenting on the latest Government figures on class sizes, Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said: ... Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4305 Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said: ... Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:58:29 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4304 Commenting on todays strike action Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said; ... Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4299 Commenting on todays strike action Christine Blower, Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europes largest teaching union said; ... Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link