Sports survey
Schools are being asked to complete a survey into the quality and provision of PE and school sport. It is being run by the Youth Sport Trust with the aim of identifying levels of provision across the country. The charity says that since 2010 there has been no national survey of school sport, meaning there is a “lack of intelligence” around the activity levels of pupils, participation rates and other trends. John Steele, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “We have significant concerns that the level of provision across the country is not consistent, which could be resulting in a postcode lottery of provision. Our survey will investigate this as it risks leaving some young people without the high-quality experience they deserve.” All schools will be sent a link to complete the survey this week.
Mental health
Guidance to help teachers spot the warning signs of mental health problems in their pupils has been published by the Department for Education and Department of Health. It offers advice on working with parents/carers and pupils, using toolkits and questionnaires to help identify potential issues, and how and when to refer pupils for expert help. It discusses, too, the use of peer-mentoring and the importance of discussing mental health issues as part of the wider curriculum. Visit: http://bit.ly/1iQOm1w
Exams Helpline
The Department for Education is to open its Exam Results Helpline once again this year. Students or parents needing free help, advice and support can speak to careers advisors with the line set to open in Scotland at 8am on August 5 and in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at 8am on August 14. The line is aimed in particular at students who receive unexpected exam results and don’t know what to do next. Advisors will be able to discuss re-sits and re-marks, further and higher education options, gap years and careers choices. The number will be 0808 100 8000.
College plan
Work has begun on a business plan for the proposed College of Teaching, which will set out exactly how much membership is to cost. The Prince’s Teaching Institute is leading on the development work and hopes a fully costed plan will be ready by the end of the year. Research earlier this year found that many teachers would only be prepared to pay £30 for membership, whereas proposals have suggested fees of between £70 and £130 a year. Chris Pope, co-director of the PTI, said: “Given the widespread support for the blueprint, we are looking forward to continuing to work with the education community to develop a professional implementation and business plan.” Visit: www.princes-ti.org.uk/collegeofteaching