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The Guardian - UK

National

Fiona Sibley

Cribsheet 16.09.11

After a 24-year hiatus, could caning make a return to the classroom? Corporal punishment was fully banned from British schools in 1987, but a study published today by the TES shows a fifth of children and nearly half of parents think caning should be brought back.

So, have we been too liberal? Ministers say there are no plans to reintroduce the cane, but watch out, Gove's about and striving to restore order to Broken Britain (cue the well-worn reference to "the events of last month"). As Jeevan Vasagar reports in today's Guardian:

The survey, commissioned by the Times Educational Supplement (TES), reveals that the majority of parents and pupils think teachers should have the power to be tougher with unruly students.

Are you one of them? Pupils and parents aside, we'd also like to know what teachers think. Please comment and cast your vote in our poll.

This morning, LondonMix wrote

My mother was born in 1944 and was a good student, went to Grammar School and never was caned. I asked her if it made any difference, kids being caned, and she laughed and said "NO, of course not!"

undersinged says

Let schools decide their own policy.

rshakey says

Teachers bring in their canes, pupils knives - anyone can see where it will all end.

And christoff1946 writes

Isn't it now clear that we have the Nasty Party back in power.

Meanwhile, this is The Daily Mash's glorious take.

Education stories from the Guardian

• You're feeling good. Your lesson purrs along at Ofsted level 1 as you cruise towards the rather compelling synthesis of your plenary. What can possibly go wrong? Fielding on killing the buzz in the classroom.

• Practitioners respond to yesterday's news that universities could face a massive reform of the timing of admissions procedures.

• Amy Hall considers the government's plan to woo back women voters by reducing the school holidays.

• We're delighted to report the appointment of Dr Conan T. Barbarian, B.A.(Cimmeria) Ph.D. (UCD) as Long Room Hub Associate Professor in Hyborian Studies and Tyrant Slaying to Trinity College Dublin. Or that's what the mischievous hackers who barbarically fought their way into TCB's arts faculty web pages yesterday would have us believe. Vengeance for Beginners would have been a popular module sign-up.

• Following the announcement that jobseekers will have benefits cut if they don't learn English, Professor Peter Kruschwitz debates the essential role of linguistic skills.

Education news from around the web

• Good teachers boost results by as much as 45%, a study commissioned by the Sutton Trust has found. The Telegraph reports that the government's plans to boost standards depends on their ability to attract the best graduates to teaching. However, as @SchoolDuggery adds:

The Sutton Trust reports says it is almost impossible to predict which graduates will make good teachers.

• Six-year-olds in England will face the new phonics test from summer 2012, reports the BBC.

• Teachers' grasp of Islam is largely media-based, reports the TES.

• The Independent reports on moves to encourage children to be more creative in technology lessons, after school IT studies were lambasted by Google chief Eric Schmidt.

• Ministers duck an opportunity to make sex education compulsory, reports the TES.

On the Guardian professional networks

• Live HE chat: As members vote to strike over pensions and other unions signal their intent to ballot members, a panel of expert discusses higher education pensions in the UK. Starts today at 1pm.

• Ahead of the Lib Dem conference this weekend, Aaron Porter rates Vince Cable's performance at Universities UK.

• Now students are buyers on a global higher education market, university rankings should be reworked to reflect price, says AnaMaria Dutceac Segesten.

• On the teacher network, materials to teach children about North Korea, democracy and the Cold War, introduced here by Dan Hartley.

Education seminars from Guardian Professional

Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile

Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media.

20 September, London.

Using social media to enhance the student experience

As tuition fees rise, so too do student expectations. Social media is an effective, low-cost way to manage this challenge. This seminar will explore newly conceived best practice, techniques and strategy for all higher education staff: academic, communications, recruitment, marketing and strategy.

22 September, London.

Life after a PhD

Whether it's getting published, convincing an employer that you have transferable skills, or securing an academic post, you need to be fully prepared to achieve your goals. This course will help you identify career opportunities for those with research skills and specialist knowledge.

28 September, London.

Reading for pleasure – bringing classics to life

This half-day conference for secondary school teachers will explore the use and teaching of classic books from Dickens and beyond. Keynote speakers will be Simon Callow, actor and Dickens enthusiast and Judy Golding, daughter of William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies.

20 October, London

Insight into digital journalism

Spend a day at the Guardian and find out how an international news media organisation works. The seminar will focus on aspects of digital journalism including writing and editing for a news website, the relationship between print and web journalism, live blogging, the use of social media, podcasting and video production.

2 November, Kings Place, London