Blair jeered by college students

Tony Blair was booed and faced chants of "out, out, out" by pupils at the school at which he made a statement about his future.

The prime minister spoke at Quintin Kynaston specialist technology college in Marlborough Hill, north-west London.

But students at the college used their afternoon off lessons to join anti-war demonstrators at the school gates.

The college is one of the first to join the PM's trust school initiative, which are free from local authority control.

Mr Blair used his visit to the school to announce that he would stand down as prime minister within the next 12 months, but did not set a precise date.

'Time to go'

A small group of teachers cheered and applauded Mr Blair as his cavalcade approached the school gates but they were drowned out by about 60 protesters who gathered in the street outside the school.

They held placards with the words "time to go" and a 4ft model of a dog biscuit which they were offering as a "reward" to "Tony the Poodle" for his obedience to US President George Bush.

One 13-year-old girl said: "They [the protesters] are not exploiting us.

"We understand some stupid people in politics are trying to kill the Lebanese and Iraqis and everybody else."

And another pupil from the school, added: "We are against that and Tony Blair should go."

National coordinator of the International Socialist Resistance, Sarah Sachs-Eldridge, was leading the chants.

She said many young people were outraged by Mr Blair's decision to invade Iraq as well as some of his domestic policies.

"We just came down because we heard that Blair was going to be here," she said.

"We all know that there is anger among school students, we meet school students at every protest we do. They think Blair is more than a waste of space."

Mr Blair did not react to the protest and has not commented on it.

Chinese is the language to learn

Cantonese and Mandarin are the languages children should be learning at school if we are to capitalise on the future business potential of China, say experts.

China has the world's fastest growing economy and is rapidly becoming an influential player in global business and industry.

With the government announcing another £115m for foreign language teaching in England's schools, now is a good time to focus on how best to spend it.

Some schools are already ahead of the game – offering lessons in these key languages, which could help the next generation of business leaders conquer this rich and influential market.

Lauriston primary school in Hackney is taking the initiative with a 10-week Mandarin language project for 10 and 11-year-olds pupils in year 6.

They have one lesson a week in Chinese and have already mastered the basics, like "hello" and "how are you".

They have also linked up with a school in Shen Yang, north-east China, to learn about their culture and their way of life.

Lauriston primary teacher Aidan O'Kelly helped organise the project after visiting several schools in China last May.

He said: "I came back thinking 'this is going to be a powerful economy'.

"The China project came out of Hackney's drive to promote links between our schools and those in China and to promote the Chinese language."

The group of 31 children from year 6 has been split into two smaller groups and a Chinese teacher come in every Friday to give them lessons in Mandarin – the language of northern China.

Mr O'Kelly said: "The first group project was a resounding success – the children were really enthusiastic and positive."

The children have also made short videos about themselves and their local community and have sent them off to their link school in China and hope to receive something similar in return.

More twinning

In another project, 40 London primary schools have formed a programme of exchange with schools in Beijing.

They link up via computer, courtesy of internet broadband provider the London Grid for Learning (LGfL).

During the links, Chinese pupils communicate with British pupils with the help of English-speaking teachers although many of the students in Beijing are already learning English and are fairly competent in the language.

LGfL content manager David Mason said: "The emphasis is on computers for the sake of learning.

"You get a class in London working with one in Beijing on the same topic – maybe in geography, maths, art or dance.

"The emphasis is on getting children working with each other on a common theme."

Last month, Chancellor Gordon Brown visited China and announced that he expects British exports to the country to quadruple by the end of the decade.

He made it clear in a speech he delivered during that trip that he wants every school, college and university to be twinned with an equivalent in China within the next five years.

The buoyant Chinese market is one that Britain needs to conquer and mastering the language is fundamental to this process.

BBC business reporter Mary Hennock said: "China's economy is growing so quickly and becoming so influential in the world economy that people can't afford to ignore it.

"British universities are educating thousands of engineering students from China and British companies are going to be competing with students educated in Britain, speaking fluent English and Chinese – these are going to be the executives of the future.

"People who want to be ahead in whatever industry need to think about China and learning Chinese."

Teachers defend Standard Grades

Plans to phase out Standard Grade exams as part of a radical education overhaul have been criticised by a teaching union.

A team of international experts has questioned the usefulness of the exam in a major study into the performance of Scotland's school system.

But the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association defended Standard Grades.

The report's findings were discussed at an international education conference in Edinburgh.

The SSTA said proposals to scrap Standard Grades "fail to take account of those subject areas such as modern languages where Standard Grade is an integral part of the process of learning a language and cannot be simply set aside".

But the union's general secretary David Eaglesham added: "The report shows clearly that the international team found huge amounts to praise in Scotland's system of education."

'Real impact'

The expert recommendation came in a report which set out the strengths of the Scottish system but also detailed major challenges, including the achievement gap between youngsters from rich and poor areas.

The report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that the biggest challenge of all was to make comprehensive secondary schools work consistently well and fairly.

The Educational Institute for Scotland, the country's biggest teaching union, welcomed the report, but said it was important that teachers were fully involved in deciding what changes should be made to the education system.

EIS General Secretary Ronnie Smith said: "If the changes set out are to have a real impact for schools and young people, the teaching profession as a whole must be fully involved in the discussions to come and the process of change.

"We welcome the OECD's recognition of the many positive characteristics of Scottish state education, such as the high performance of Scottish pupils compared to those in other countries, the highly equitable nature of our comprehensive education system, and our quality teacher development.

"Scotland is rightly proud of its education system, and it is important that we recognise and celebrate all that we do well in our schools."

The OECD report states that "few countries can be said with confidence to outperform it (Scotland) in mathematics, reading and science".

But it found that most of the difference in student achievement levels in Scotland was not due to differences between schools, but to differences within individual schools.

The report said: "In Scotland, who you are is far more important than what school you attend, and at present Scottish schools are not strong enough to ensure that 'who you are' does not count."

Suggested reforms include the creation of a Scottish Certificate of Education as a "graduation certificate" for all youngsters who complete a programme of studies or training – either in school, college or in a job.

Research data

The plan also includes making vocational courses available to all youngsters from S3 upwards.

And a more flexible relationship between schools and local authorities, and between councils and government, is also recommended.

In particular, it said councils should negotiate agreements giving schools more freedom over staffing and the curriculum – in return for progress on agreed improvements in "learning opportunities and outcomes".

Examiners from Australia, New Zealand, Finland and Belgium visited Scotland in March, and also studied research data.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "The review shows there are some significant strengths in Scotland's schools but also some real challenges for the future."

"It also gives a series of recommendations which this government is well placed to meet."

Lecturers want to quit academic life

More than a quarter of university lecturers are considering quitting their academic careers, says a survey.

The survey of lecturers' attitudes to their work, carried out for the Association of University Teachers, shows worsening morale and worries about increased workload and stress.

And 27% say they are "fairly seriously" considering changing their career.

There are already concerns about recruiting young academic staff – and only 37% of lecturers say they would recommend undergraduates to have a career in higher education.

"This survey should start a few alarm bells ringing, as it clearly shows that university staff are feeling underpaid, stressed and de-motivated," says general secretary, Sally Hunt.

"The government wants the UK's university staff to implement its reform agenda and yet most of them feel ignored and undervalued.

"The fact that thousands of them are considering leaving the sector is not surprising at all – it simply shows how much work has to be done to get people, in the sector, back on board."

Student funding

The sense of dissatisfaction was reflected in the belief that academic pay had fallen behind other professionals, and that universities faced more work with not enough staff.

According to the survey, 93% of lecturers suffered from "workplace stress" and 86% say they have a heavy workload.

The survey also reveals scepticism among lecturers towards the government's proposals for student funding.

Over 80% were against top-up fees, which will allow universities to charge students a higher level of tuition fees.

And just under half of lecturers approved of a graduate tax as a way of contributing to higher education costs.

Learning disability grants plan

A new grants scheme is being started which aims to help people with learning disabilities in Northants become more involved with their local communities.

The Small Sparks scheme offers grants of up to £250 to groups helping people with learning difficulties to set up small-scale community schemes.

A total of £5,000 is available for the scheme through the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board.

This is made up of carers, health groups, and Northants County Council.

People applying for a Small Sparks grant simply need to come up with a project idea and also need to be able to demonstrate that they can match the grant with appropriate resources, whether materials, labour, or money.

Councillor Rosemary Bromwich, county council cabinet member for adult care, said: "Small Sparks is an opportunity to reach out to people with learning disabilities who are not yet involved in their local community.

"The important thing is for applicants to demonstrate that they will be involving people with a learning disability in the fun."

Music education ’still a lottery’

Music education in England is a "postcode lottery" and pockets of brilliance must be replicated on a national scale, a report says.

The report by the government-backed Music Manifesto is being launched during National Music Week for Schools.

It calls for the creation of local music education "hubs", linking schools and other groups and a national singing campaign, aimed at younger age groups.

Ministers said they would be considering the content of the report.

More than 600 groups and individuals involved in music were consulted for the report – called Making Every Child's Music Matter.

Music Manifesto head Marc Jaffrey said: "We are rightly proud of our music education system, but unfortunately the quality of music education on offer depends far too much on where you live.

"There are pockets of brilliance across the country which need to be replicated on a national scale.

"By encouraging better co-ordination and use of resources, the hubs will help eradicate this postcode lottery of provision."

Partnerships

The music education of Manchester and Salford are cited in the report as examples of brilliance.

Manchester Music Service head Sue Berry said this had been achieved through partnerships between the service and schools.

"Visit any school across Manchester, whatever its status and location, and you will find music having a profound impact, something we have worked really hard to achieve and maintain," she said.

The report calls for a focus on singing within early years and primary school-age children, with a significant singing element in the cultural programme of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Howard Goodall, a composer who counts the themes to Blackadder and Red Dwarf among his work, said: "At one time we all sang – in pubs, places of worship and homes as well as schools.

"We have lost that collective experience, which I think helped to knit our communities together.

"It is time to try and bring that back and the best place to start is in primary schools. We would love to see the development of a 21st century songbook for schools – containing songs that every child knew and sang."

'Boosting self-confidence'

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis said music can make a "unique contribution" to education by boosting pupils' self-confidence and attainment.

He said the number of primary school children learning an instrument had doubled since 2002 – but the government wanted to do more.

He said: "Last month, we announced a package of new measures to support the teaching of music in primary schools which included £2m to support the further training of specialist teachers. Over 2,000 teachers are expected to benefit from the new package."

Ministers said that they will be considering the contents of the report and the specific recommendations, and will respond in due course.

BBC NEWS | UK | UK Education | College students’ money complaints

Tuesday, 23 April, 2002, 01:08 GMT 02:08 UK College students' money complaints
Hull students in good spirits despite complaints
Further education college managers, staff and students have combined forces to lobby Parliament for more funds.

Students say the government's wishes to see more people staying in education are not backed by adequate resources.

The schooldays of Shelley Howson were by her account a disaster – she uses stronger language – characterised by classroom disruption.

"Chairs being thrown around, that kind of thing.

"A lot of people I was at school with are in prison now."

Nevertheless there was family pressure on her to do well and to go on to university, which she rebelled against.

"I purposefully flunked all my GCSEs," she said.

Returner

"I regret it now. Ten years later I moved up north and plucked up the courage to go to college."

She took a Pathway "open access" course – designed originally to encourage women back into education and now, for equality reasons, open to men as well.

But she says she passed up the chance of doing a four-year degree course because she could not have afforded it.

"I had to weigh up the pros and cons, but if I could avoid it I didn't want to go into debt," she said.

No fees

Her older partner works abroad for much of the year and although he is supportive to an extent she does not see that he should have to pay for her education.

"He has paid enough in taxes in his lifetime, why should he have to pay again for me?" she said.

"I get no help with childcare, so I have had to restructure my courses so I can get home to pick my son up."

Her wish list would be no fees and a grant "to do what I wanted to do without the big loan debt at the end of it".

Access to education

Neil Dudding's schooling was disrupted for a very different reason. He was born with spina bifida.

"I was always in and out of hospital and didn't get a full education," he said.

Now, at the age of 30, he is studying to be a learning support assistant and wants to work with other disadvantaged students "because I'm all for people with disabilities getting what they need".

But he says the only financial help he gets are so-called "access funds" to pay for materials and equipment for his course – and petrol for his car, his only means of transport.

That amounts to £150 in the first term, another £50 the following February and another £50 in May.

Lifelong debt

Their fellow Hull College student, Lilly Elliott, has returned to education after raising a family – her children are now 24 and 26 and both married.

"I just thought, sooner than be stuck at home all the time I would like to do something with my life," she said.

She is studying for an Open College Network qualification in interior design.

But at the age of 50 she would not contemplate taking on a student loan.

"I could have gone to university but I couldn't afford what for me would have been lifelong debt," she said.

"If I were to die I would be leaving the debt to my kids."

Barriers

Marie Fields, 34, is studying English and politics at Wolverhampton University.

She complains about what she sees as a nonsense in the funding system that means she was better off unemployed.

"I get £14 a week working families tax credit, that's all, because when assessing my income they take into account by student loan – which I have to pay back!

"I would be better off on income support, but I have to think of my future."

When her two children were old enough – 11 and eight – she decided she needed to get some education.

"But the barriers I have come across, I have needed to be very determined otherwise I would have given up," she said.

Benefits trap

She took a further education access course that prepared her for her degree studies – one of the major routes into higher education.

That was supposed to take up 16 hours a week – but Marie said that meant she was deemed to be not seeking work.

Skipping the tutorial classes, and so missing out on support which she felt she needed, brought her hours down to 14 hours, so she still qualified for state benefits – which were the only way she could afford to be getting the education in the first place.

Marie says that if the government is serious about widening participation in education and encouraging everyone to keep learning, it has to address the benefit traps that "breed a cycle of dependency".

Allowances

The further education sector educates a majority of students aged 16 to 19.

For them, the National Union of Students last week demanded a universal, means-tested system of education maintenance allowances (EMAs), introduced in 1999 but still operating only in designated pilot areas.

In her current work on sabbatical as a student union official at Stourbridge College, Marie Fields sees the effect of the "postcode lottery" in that support system.

Because the college straddles different local authority areas, some of the students get the allowance and some do not.

"It's not a lot but it makes a difference," she said.

Dropping out

According to NUS officials, the allowances are most effective in families with no tradition of further or higher education – the very people the Department for Education is so keen to keep in the system.

"Quite a large proportion of our college are Asian students and it's very difficult for them, especially if they are female, to study and not to have any money of their own," Marie said.

"Students in FE have to work. But 16 to 18 year olds want and deserve a social life. So they drop out.

"Work, study, have no social life – it affects participation in further education."

Review could close six libraries

The council says the changes will improve the service

Six communities in Conwy could lose their local libraries under plans by the council to modernise the service.

One of the libraries under threat is next door to the village school at Llangernyw.

Headmistress Gwenda Pringle said losing the library would have a detrimental effect on the school and community.

Conwy council said it wanted to improve facilities at seven main libraries, while users wanted more emphasis on IT and longer opening hours.

"Having the library next to the school is very important and we make full use of the facilities," said Ms Pringle.

LIBRARIES FACING CLOSURE CerrigydrudionDeganwyLlandudno JunctionLlanfairfechanPenrhyn BayLlangernywSource – Conwy County Council

"The children enjoy it of course, but it also prepares them and teaches them how to use a library."

Library user Emma Smith said she was dismayed the service could change.

"I'd be angry if they closed this place as I'd have to travel much further to borrow books," she said.

Community council chairman at Cerrigydrudion, William Charles Edwards, said he was uncertain whether the changes would mean a better service, or was a way to save money.

Public expectations have changed and the general feedback was that a much more modern role was needed for the service Rona Aldrich, head of library services

"Instinctively I feel sad that we could lose our library," he said.

Mr Edwards said suggestions for a mobile library could work, but he questioned the reasoning behind the proposed changes.

"I'm not sure whether they are looking to save money rather than offering a better service to the community," he added.

The library review was started in 2006 and has involved focus groups, internet blogs and customer comment slips.

Conwy's head of library services, Rona Aldrich said: "Public expectations have changed and the general feedback was that a much more modern role was needed for the service.

"People want more emphasis given to IT, more zoning of library areas for particular uses, services aimed at particular groups, more staff support to be available and libraries to be open for longer and at more convenient times".

Seven main libraries would also be developed to offer better facilities, she said.

The six libraries facing closure had, said Ms Aldrich, "poor physical conditions and/or had a limited potential for development".

Further consultation with the communities affected is now due to take place, before a final decision by the council's ruling cabinet in July.

School Library Furniture

Research has shown that school library resources play a vital role in developing the judgement and practicality among students. School furniture library is the most fundamental component that makes a well-organized library and encourages students to come and study.

Ideas for Children’s Library Furniture

Library furniture for the classroom is generally a smaller version of the furniture used in other areas of the library. Major components of the children’s library furniture includes tables, chairs and bookshelves.

From shelving units that are shorter with small tables and chairs are ideal for a children’s library. This helps children to use the library and stay here for long periods because it gives them a better environment for improving learning.

Fundamentals of the school library furniture

The most fundamental elements of furniture school library depends on how they are used and what the library store. A few library furniture necessary to include the subjects of books, chairs, circulation desks, tables regular shelf, study carrels, trucks book and library shelving.

In some cases, media equipment is also used in advanced libraries, so before buying furniture library, estimating the needs of the library in the long term. This will help to address any problems in the future.

The use of mobile library shelves

Mobile Library shelves are perfect for transporting the books from one place to another in areas of multiple use. It helps remove the shelves when not in use. A library on wheels, exhibition of books with drawers and cupboards are some different forms of mobile library furniture.

Using the Library Round tables for their best advantage

Round library tables are very advantageous in most libraries because it helps students to sit in discussion groups and activities. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the organization of round tables library. These tables are ideal for areas where the interaction is maximum, for example meeting rooms.

However, when the organization of round tables, make sure you provide spacious hallway ways to make room to move. It must also be well placed to not get in the way of safety exits from the library.

Where to buy supplies Furniture Library?

Library furniture can be easily found in different places, usually furniture stores near you or you can also find online. Get library furniture for schools that are renewing their libraries and the sale of its antique furniture is also a great idea.