News & Views - Teaching

A brilliant introduction to teaching

teaching8

“'Effective Teaching in Schools' is a brilliant introduction for new teachers, PGCE students, or prospective PGCE students.

I have found the book to be intelligently written, and very clear. It constantly keeps in focus the aims of the teacher, and each chapter is broken down very clearly with objective, discussion, summary, and then further points to consider. The author is an experienced teacher who gives sound advice, and seems to take a good, common-sense approach.

Incidentally, the book is nicely laid out: an easy-to-read font, and easy-to-hold size. The paper is good quality, and it isn't so glaringly-white that you stop reading with a mild headache.

I think, for people who want to end up good teachers, this is definitely a book you should consider reading.”
Amazon product review, Effective Teaching in Schools

100 new scholarships a year to raise standards by attracting top graduates to become physics teacher

Education Secretary Michael Gove today announced a £2m-a-year partnership between the Department for Education and the Institute of Physics (IOP) to attract the best graduates to become physics teachers. It re-affirms the Government's commitment to recruit the very best graduates into teaching and train them even better, so that standards can rise in schools across the country.
Around 100 scholarships worth £20,000 each will be available every year for graduates with a 2:1 or first class degree who are intending to do a mainstream physics, or physics with maths, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course.
The IOP will work with experts in teaching practice to award scholarships. They will hand-pick candidates demonstrating exceptional subject knowledge, enthusiasm for the study of physics, and outstanding potential to teach. The IOP's relationship with the scholars will continue into their teaching careers. This will develop a group of outstanding physics teachers, all part of a community of physicists across schools, universities and industry.ousands of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are likely to shun going to university due to a lack of understanding about the new fees system, it is claimed today.
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"Geoff inspired Me"

teaching4

My pupils have improved their grades considerably. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut with your teaching, Geoff actually inspired me to not only read what other people have tested in the education world, but actually put it into practice.
Whether you have been teaching 5 minutes or 50 years, buy this book! It will benefit not only you but your students as well! Geoff also gives you lots of support online at his website. What an incredible guy!”
Amazon product review, Evidence-Based Teaching

Education spending 'falling fastest since 1950s'

articles

Public spending on education in the UK is falling at the fastest rate since the 1950s, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

The independent financial researchers say spending will fall by 13% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2014-15.

In England, the deepest cuts are in school buildings, higher education, 16-to-19 provision and early years.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "The government had to take tough decisions to reduce the deficit."

He added: "But the schools' budget is actually increasing by £3.6bn in cash over the next four years."

Rise and fall

The IFS report says that after a decade of rapid growth in funding schools and universities, the UK is now facing the largest cut in education spending over any four-year period since at least the 1950s.

"Having risen by historically large amounts during the 2000s, the UK's education budget is now set for an historically large fall over the next few years," says senior research economist Luke Sibieta.

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Cuts must not destroy the huge potential of our young unemployed

You report the grim findings of a new study that reveals the high numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet)in towns where "almost one in four under-25s are Neets", such as Grimsby, Doncaster and Warrington (Towns where 1 in 4 young are 'Neets' revealed, 4 November) .

I am the unnamed academic quoted in your article as saying that the government's cuts are "needlessly sacrificing" young people. I did not say this lightly. I have conducted research with marginalised young people in provincial areas of industrial decline and more rural areas of the UK, and was called as an expert witness to the select committee on young people who are Neet. In my experience these young people have new and sometimes inspiring ways of seeing the world, but unless we change our ways of thinking, talking about and working with them, the situation will get worse and we will never make progress.
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