http://www.teachers.org.uk NUT News feed en http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4775 Commenting on the British Safety Councils call for the management of and removal of asbestos in schools Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe&amp;aacute;s largest teaching union said; ... Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:24:35 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=19248037 Singapore is shooting up education league tables, which could be because it focuses on creativity to teach pupils maths, a newspaper has revealed.Rather than relying on recital of times tables and other rote learning methods, schools in the country encourage children to re-arrange lollypop sticks and fold pieces of paper, the Independent reported.The methods appear to be working, as Singapore came first for science and second for maths in the most recent Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) ... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:30:26 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=19248025 The chair of governors at an Elmtree school has been recognised by the National Teaching Awards, which awarded him a distinction.Michael Bateman, who holds the position at Elmtree Infant School, received a distinction in the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) Award for Governor of the Year category.He was nominated by his colleagues after holding the role for 23 years, the Buckinghamshire Advertiser reported.A statement from the school said the educational establishment has a "can do" attitude and Mr ... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:28:45 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=19247905 Pupils at a primary school in the West Midlands have been learning to play the ukulele, after the instrument was brought in to replace traditional recorders that are deemed too high-pitched.Barbara Carter, headteacher of Rood End Primary School, in Oldbury, said that the recorder may never return to the school after the new instruments were such a hit.She suggested that the popularity of the instrument might be down to its looks and that the guitar-shape of the ukulele may make ... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:10:40 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=19247899 A number of well-known authors are giving their support to a campaign to make having libraries in schools statutory, the Guardian has reported.The group includes Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon, the children's laureate Michael Rosen and the author of His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman.Concerned over the fall in children reading for pleasure, as well as an alleged lack of adequate libraries in schools, the group have written to children's secretary Ed Balls.In an extract from the letter published in the ... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:09:15 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4772 Launch of joint partnership agreement between the National Union of Teachers and the University and College Union In a move to ensure a stronger voice in debates that will affect all those in education, the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the University and College Union (UCU) are today (Thursday) joining together in an historic joint partnership agreement. ... Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4771 The NUT has strongly condemned the government&amp;aacute;s plans, contained within the new education white paper, for teachers to be re-licensed every 5 years from September 2010. We will be pursuing the matter with Government with a view to changing the proposals as they stand. ... Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4770 Commenting on Ed Balls&amp;aacute; statement to the House of Commons, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe&amp;aacute;s largest teaching union said; ... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=19241157 Teachers are set to be given the chance to study for a Masters in Teaching and Learning, as part of a government scheme to try and raise classroom standards across the UK.As of next January, teachers will be able enrol on the course, with the first influx of teachers-turned-pupils to be those who will start their first teaching post this September in the north-west, or those who work at challenging schools.However, some in the sector have expressed doubt over whether ... Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:45:34 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/showwire.php?id=19241152 Parents may be hit with a fine if their children misbehave at school, it is to be announced.On a government White Paper set to be published tomorrow (June 30th), schools secretary Ed Balls is expected to announce that new powers granted to schools could see parents given court orders if they fail to cooperate with their children's teachers over disciplinary issues.As well as the risk of a fine, parents may be given community service.Talking to the Observer, Ed Balls said ... Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:45:00 GMT Adfero on behalf of NUT <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4768 Commenting on Gordon Brown's announcement of Labour's draft legislative programme, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe's largest teaching union said; ... Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4765 Teachers from the National Union of Teachers, Europe's largest teaching union, have suspended strike action planned for Tuesday 30th June at five Tamworth schools. This follows approaches by the union to the new administration of Staffordshire County Council, and an agreement to talks on Wednesday 1st July. ... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:38:55 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4764 Commenting on the Government's decision to abandon national strategies in literacy and numeracy from 2011, Christine Blower, General Secretary, National Union of Teachers, Europe's largest teachers' union said; ... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4763 Commenting on the report by Ofsted calling on primary schools to avoid suspending young pupils, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe&amp;aacute;s largest teaching union, said;. ... Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4760 Ahead of the G8 summit in Italy in July, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP - of which the global trade union movement is a constituent) has launched an interactive page and online petition calling for action on development. To add pressure by pressing on the G8 leader or leaders of your choice and/or signing a petition click here . The amount of pressure added and the total number of signatures will be used to lobby the G8 during their upcoming meeting. ... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:47:31 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4633 It takes years to prepare for GCSE, AS and A2. It takes hours to mark each examination paper. But it could take just a few minutes of your time to influence future papers by telling standing joint committees what you think!&amp;aacute; ... Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4758 Margaret Morrissey OBE, of the campaign group Parents Outloud, has written an open letter which explains why she believes that SATs should be abolished. She has given the NUT and NAHT permission to use her letter in its campaign work. This may be a useful resource for working with parents as part of local campaigns. ... Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:36:37 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4759 Commenting on the conclusions of Sir Jim Rose's report, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe's largest teaching union, said; ... Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4757 Philip Atkins, as leader of the Council, has announced that they will carry out a review of their position on BSF. It is essential that the review is carried out without delay in order to avoid any further industrial action in Tamworth&amp;aacute;s schools. ... Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:22:08 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link http://www.teachers.org.uk/story.php?id=4753 Commenting on Ed Balls' remarks about National Challenge schools, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Europe's largest teaching union, said; ... Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT National Union of Teachers <philk@synergynewmedia.co.uk> Link