Good week for
Alternative nativity plays. If your schools is planning an unconventional nativity, it isn’t alone. Parents on Netmums said characters, such as Elvis Presley, have been introduced to their school’s annual show, with some plays being called winter celebrations. Parents expressed concern that traditions were being “pushed aside”.
Tablets in school. A study commissioned by education technology charity Tablets for Schools has found that almost 70% of primary and secondary schools in the UK now use tablet computers. That said, there’s no clear evidence that the gadgets improve academic performance.
Bad week for
Overhaul of A-levels. Government A-level reforms have been criticised by headteachers. Four subjects have been scrapped, maths and further maths reforms have been delayed for a year and other courses are yet to be accredited. “It’s chaotic,” said one headteacher.
Teacher shortages. We might soon have to start looking overseas to fill teaching vacancies because of teacher training shortages. There is expected to be a 7% shortfall in recruitment next September. Supply teacher agencies are now looking to Australia and Canada to fill roles.
What you’re saying
This week we’ve explored mental health stigma in schools and how to combat it. We held a live chat on the subject which you can find in full here and also covered why teachers should be open about their own mental health problems. It’s a topic that raised a lot of debate on Twitter. Share your stories about mental illness with us and how well your school coped via @GuardianTeach.
"Let's start talking about solutions - what works and what doesn't? What are the big problems currently with the system/ way schools work?"
What we've found works within secondary schools is ensuring that any campaign to reduce stigma and discrimination around mental health, is led by pupils. We've been in and offered leadership training and worked with young people both with and without personal experience to decide how they'd like the subject to be addressed in their school. Essentially this has to be supported by staff and senior management team.
@PookyH @GuardianTeach great topic. I think it should be stressed more at the collegiate level given all the added stressors
— Phli Artistry (@phliartistry) December 3, 2014
Photograph of the week
And so the countdown to Christmas begins. It’s officially the first week of December and we are going to be gathering pictures of Christmas classrooms. To feature in our gallery and prove that you have the most festive classroom of all, tweet us your pictures via @GuardianTeacher.
This year's Chemistree... #Christmas @AsapSCIENCE @tweetsauce @IFLScience @guardianscience @GuardianTeach #chemistry pic.twitter.com/FlGEeVQEwt
— Mark Williams (@MAWilliams89) December 3, 2014
The week in numbers
The Office for National Statistics has found that 25% of 16- to 21-year olds row with their mother more than once a week. This is compared with 16% who row with their father weekly.
The National Council on Teacher quality has released a report detailing the best places to teach in the US. Ranked at number 1 is Columbus and at number 2 is Atlanta.
In Wales, the number of primary school pupils going on unauthorised holidays during term-time has increased by 3.2%. Half of Welsh councils asked headteachers to refuse requests for holidays during term time but schools can authorise up to 10 days absence per pupil per year.
Our Christmas giveaway
We’ve been giving away a prize a day with our 12 days of Christmas interactive. From iPads to chocolates, we have lots on offer so make sure you get involved. It’s easy to enter – just click on the right day and fill in the form. Don’t worry there are no strings attached, we just want to say thanks to our followers.
Dates to remember
Celebrate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on Wednesday 10 December. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Jewish holidays and begins at sunset on Tuesday 16 December.
Resources for you
- This simplified version of the UDHR will help you introduce human rights in your classroom.
- Teach younger pupils about Hanukkah with these colourful pictures and labels.
- A lovely set of posters featuring key vocabulary to promote good manners.
- Perfect your folding sills with this origami tree.
Blogs and comment
- Teacher to parents: About THAT kid (the one who hits, disrupts and influences YOUR kid)
- Social media should be a part of the elementary school curriculum
- The secret lives of teachers
- 101 great reachers to follow on Twitter by @TeacherToolkit
Quote of the week
We are starting to get a bit excited about Christmas now ...
"I made my family disappear!" #HomeAlone pic.twitter.com/8Gy9Kd34A5
— Christmas Quotes! (@XmasFilmQuotes) November 27, 2014
In a number of countries, every secondary school has a mental health professional - a counsellor or a psychologist - specifically located in that school, and I think that's a model that we should consider in England. It means that there is someone who can coordinate mental health issues, education and responses in the school environment, and holds particular responsibility for it.