http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/ en amy.stock@schoolswork.co.uk Copyright 2012 2012-01-31T10:49:53+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/where-good-ideas-come-from/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/where-good-ideas-come-from/#When:10:49:53Z Other, Blog 2012-01-31T10:49:53+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/controversial-debate-about-sex-ed-lessons/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/controversial-debate-about-sex-ed-lessons/#When:12:29:33Z A report in the Guardian that struck me as worrying: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/jan/20/nadine-dorries-sexual-abstinence-bill-withdrawn MP Nadine Dorries wanted sex education for 13-16 year olds to include the option of abstinence, for young people to know that saying ‘no’ is a viable option. One of the many objections to this came from Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Association, who said “abstinence ‘education’ is a dangerously unrealistic and irresponsible proposition for our young people” “We will all certainly need to remain on our guard against such foolish proposals in the future.” Primary, Secondary, 16+, SEN, Other, Young Leaders, Blog 2012-01-25T12:29:33+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/pais-swap-conference/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/pais-swap-conference/#When:16:45:15Z Turning Concepts Into Reality 14th-16th February, Life Church Burnley. I had a fantastic couple of days with PAIS up in Burnley last year and am looking forward to returning this year, to speak a bit about creative schools work and to enjoy spending time celebrating God with them. Download the PDF booking form (with more details about the conference) here. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Blog 2012-01-19T16:45:15+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/self-image-helpful-vid/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/self-image-helpful-vid/#When:17:22:59Z Great for a self-image discussion in all sorts of contexts….lessons, groups etc. Ht to Ian Macdonald of Youthblog fame. Useful video helping young people see that what they see in magazines is largely false! Primary, Secondary, 16+, Blog 2012-01-16T17:22:59+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/a-new-generation-update/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/a-new-generation-update/#When:17:18:01Z Hi all, we’d love to give you a quick heads up about what is going on in the New Generation calendar and the different ways in which we’d love to work together with you guys. So here goes… EVERYONE NEEDS A BIBLE To celebrate the end of the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible we encouraged young people to hand out New Testaments for Christmas. This project was a huge success, in all sorts of ways. 16 year old Esther Parkinson of Southport, recently handed out 2000 Bibles to her whole college, including all the staff. The amazing thing was that she raised the £5000 needed herself. She then highlighted verses in them, wrote a personal message in them and wrapped them! Other people however, have handed out one to a close friend. Whatever the number of people, it’s still an important project, as we believe, EVERYONE NEEDS A BIBLE. FAITH, HOPE, SCHOOL. New Generation is all about helping young people live out their faith in school and college. We aim to do this by working together with local churches and Schools Workers. One of the resources that we have to help this is our training day, FAITH, HOPE, SCHOOL. The day, in true NG form, is all about equipping young people to do prayer and outreach in their school or college. The day is full of practical and interactive sessions. We cover topics like, “How to fundraise,” “How to pray for your mates,” “developing young leaders,” and many more. One of the best things about the day is that young people get to meet other young people who are going through the same battles and struggles as they are. They get to share their victories and failures. It’s the highlight of our year. This day is not just for young people, we’d love for schools workers and youth leaders to be there too. This year they will be held in Solihull, Manchester and Bristol, during the month of February. Check out the Schoolswork calendar for more info. ONE FINAL STORY! Before we sign off we’d like to share just one story of what God is doing in the schools of the UK. Here’s what a group in Nottingham wrote to us in an email recently… “Since the start of 2011 the New Generation group in our school has grown from around 12 people a week to just over 50 people a week, and 18 people have become Christians! This is not by our own efforts, but by the grace of God. It all started in November after a time of prayer and fasting. A few of us were really praying to God about our school and waiting on Him to see where He wanted us to go next. We decided that there needed to be a change, and to refresh what we were doing, so we changed the layout of the room. We set up rows of sofas and chairs facing the front…and we changed the structure of our meetings. We introduced a time of prayer, worship and a talk. We’ve also held different outreaches for Valentine’s Day, Easter, and for the year elevens who are leaving. Some of the events included getting guests in to sing, dance, rap or speak, and we also held a ‘Grill a Christian’ type event where people came and asked us any questions they had. For our biggest outreach so far we bought 15 pizzas and put on an event that drew over 90 people! We used the opportunity to give a final message to the year elevens. We’re so grateful to God for all that He’s done, and we pray that He continues to work in all the schools around our country. The best piece of advice we can give to any New Generation group is to pray and seek God’s perfect will.” If you’d like to receive more regular updates about what NG is up to then please just email us at and we will actually answer you! Secondary, 16+, Blog 2012-01-16T17:18:01+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/card-ideas/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/card-ideas/#When:13:22:56Z On our Facebook page, a schoolswork member highlighted several new ideas she has come up with for using the schoolswork.co.uk playing cards. Here is the list. Either add your own in a comment below, or on our Facebook page here. “I came up with some extra ideas on how to use the schoolswork cards and thought I’d share… GO Fish The person who has to “go fish,” has to answer the question on the card they picked up The winner chooses one question from their cards that each other player has to answer War (2 players) Whenever ‘war’ occurs (i.e., two players put down the same card), both players have to answer the question on the card. The winner chooses one or two questions that the other player has to answer Cheat Either the person caught cheating or the incorrect accuser has to answer the last card that was played Crazy Eights (similar to Uno) The player that does not have a matching card must answer the question on the card that was played last Whoever plays an eight must answer the question on that card Spoons (or Pig, Tongue) The winner gets to pick a card from their hand for a person of his/her choice to answer The loser (of each round) has to answer one of the questions on a number or face card they were trying to collect Primary, Secondary, 16+, Blog 2012-01-16T13:22:56+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/playing-card-trick-explained/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/playing-card-trick-explained/#When:12:21:10Z There’s been a small surge in sales for schoolswork playing cards over the last couple of days, so I thought I would flag up a couple of useful videos. Here’s the explanation. See the previous post for the trick without the explanation. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Blog, Multimedia 2012-01-03T12:21:10+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/card-tricks/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/card-tricks/#When:12:10:51Z There’s been a small surge in sales for schoolswork playing cards over the last couple of days, so I thought I would flag up a couple of useful videos. Here’s the trick. See the next post for the explanation of the trick. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Blog, Multimedia 2012-01-03T12:10:51+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/happy-new-year1/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/happy-new-year1/#When:10:36:14Z A very happy new year to you. Hoping that you have had a good break over Christmas and that today finds you eager for a new term. May God richly bless you as you begin the journey of 2012. If you’re into making new year’s resolutions, or want to think about how it might be best to achieve them, here’s a great little article from RE Jesus: click here. Primary, Secondary, 16+, SEN, Other, Young Leaders, Blog 2012-01-03T10:36:14+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/education-schools-work-update20/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/education-schools-work-update20/#When:21:53:15Z Headlines from the world of education and schools work: Sir James Dyson funds £1.4m professorship at Cambridge University: Sir James Dyson has called for a march of the scientists and engineers through British boardrooms as he launched a £1.4m professorship at Cambridge University with a warning that the academic status of inventors is not reflected in the executive world. Focus on ‘soft subjects’ harming teenagers’ job prospects: Thousands of teenagers are being consigned to the dole queue after leaving school with a poor grasp of the three-Rs, according to a report. Number of young people classed as ‘neets’ hits record 1.16m: Call to tackle youth joblessness as numbers not in employment, education or training rise 137,000 in the last quarter.  Almost one in five 16- to 24-year-olds in England were “Neet” between July and September this year, according to statistics published by the Department for Education. The figure has risen by 137,000 compared with the same period last year. Musical instrument lessons for all children: All children will be given the chance to learn a musical instrument under Coalition plans to broaden cultural education. 15,000 pupils pass the 11-plus but fail to get a grammar school place: Nearly half of children who pass grammar school entrance exams are turned away because there are not enough places. British pupils’ social mobility divide is among world’s worst: The chances of British children doing well are more closely linked to their parents’ education than in almost any other developed country, according to a study of social mobility published today. ‘Scam’ milks £10m from taxpayers: Ministers are to order a review of the nursery school free milk scheme, claiming abuse of the system means the Government is being billed up to £1 a pint. Children to be taught to create software: Schoolchildren will be taught how to create software code as part of plans to strengthen Britain’s technology and engineering sectors, the Government has signalled. University applications from UK-born students fall 15%: Drop in the number applying follows sharp increase in applications last year in attempt to beat 2012 rise in fees. Warning over ‘excessively strict’ discipline in UK madrassas: Children attending some UK Islamic schools are being subjected to physical beatings as teachers use loopholes to get around a ban on corporal punishment, according to new research. Students ‘to sit three A-levels in a day’ under exam reforms: Sixth-formers could be forced to sit three A-levels in one day under plans to radically overhaul university admissions, a senior examiner has warned. Boys’ GCSE grades dented by football tournaments: Calls for earlier exams as study shows boys score own goal by watching World Cup and Euro finals games instead of revising Universities to cut fees – by £39 a year: One in five universities have been given the green light to reduce their fees next October. However, the impact of the reduction will be to reduce fee levels across the country on average by just £39. Labour backs calls for children to be taught about gambling: Gambling addiction support group, Gamecare, says schoolchildren should learn about fruit machines and how to calculate odds.  Labour has backed calls for children as young as 12 to learn about gambling in school. Morrisons forced to retrain school-leavers: The standard of school-leavers is so poor that one supermarket has sent back three-quarters of its recruits for “remedial pre-job training” before they start work. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Other, Blog 2011-12-05T21:53:15+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/the-nativity-factor/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/the-nativity-factor/#When:15:46:20Z Why not encourage a bunch of students you work with to come up with a creative telling of the Nativity story? There’s a chance for them to win between £1,000-£5,000! A new initiative organised by ITN offers young people the chance to get creative with their take on the Nativity. Video entries can be any length between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, and will be judged on 3 criteria: Creativity, Style, and Story. The Nativity Factor is open to all ages, and there are two prize categories - one for over 16-year-olds, and the other for under 16s.  The winning video in the Over 16s category will win a cash prize of £5,000, publicity for their film, and a day spent at our broadcast studios watching live news being aired.  There is a separate prize for the Under 16s of £1,000, plus publicity, and a day spent at the ITV broadcast studios watching live news being aired. To find out more visit www.thenativityfactor.com Primary, Secondary, 16+, Blog 2011-12-02T15:46:20+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/christmas...again/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/christmas...again/#When:14:21:16Z Moment of honesty…how do you really feel when you hear Christmas tunes start up in the shops and on your local radio station? What first goes through your head when you drive past inflatable santa’s on people’s roofs? What do you do with those promotional Christmas cards you get through the post from your suppliers wishing you ‘season’s greetings’? It can be all a bit too familiar, and actually, some of those things that come around year after year after year can start to grate on us. Does this leave you feeling a bit like you can’t wait until Christmas is over, or do you long for a fresh experience of Christmas each year seeing it in a new and relational way? Coming up with a fresh take on the Christmas story each year can be challenging for those of us working with young people. So let’s wrestle with this dilemma together: How about starting off by thinking about how Christmas is different for us personally this year? I think the way we feel about each holiday season can be affected by two things: what else is going on in our lives, and secondly how we can interpret the Christmas story as having meaning, relevant to our lives in 2011. Taking those things in turn, first let me ask you some questions about what else is going on in your life: Who is important to you at the moment? What are you spending most of your time doing? Who is the biggest influence on your life at the moment? What are you sad about? What are you excited about?...the list goes on, but I think you get the idea.  Secondly, let me ask you some questions about how the Christmas story could have meaning in your life in 2011:  Taking the idea of Advent and preparing or waiting, what are you waiting for at the moment or preparing for? The birth of Christ is talked about in Scripture as light entering the world…where do you see new light or hope entering your life at the moment? The shepherds and wise men were following a star to guide them through the darkness: where are you feeling like you’re trusting something or someone else to guide you at the moment? I think when we are able to relate to an event or season we’ve experienced time and time again, in a more personal way, we can then help relate this event to the students we are working with. Ask some questions of your students, through assemblies, lunch clubs, lessons and more, about how themes from the story of Christ’s birth could have an impact for them in a new way this year. Other, Blog 2011-12-02T14:21:16+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/looking-for-a-christmas-assembly/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/looking-for-a-christmas-assembly/#When:11:16:15Z Chances are you or someone you know will be doing a Christmas themed presentation of some sort over the next month. Whether it’s an assembly, Christmas lunchtime party, youth group session, service of some sort or even a team celebration, we thought we’d bring our latest ideas and thoughts about how to talk about Christmas into one blog. So here it is. Ultimate resource links Firstly, there’s loads of great resources already out there. Rather than list them all for you again each year (and many of them are still relevant), for our ultimate list of Christmas links, click here (but don’t forget to come back to this page after!). Your experience Secondly, what are your own thoughts and feelings about Christmas? Here’s some of my thoughts about how we can use our own experiences to impact how we navigate and explore this season with young people: click here COMING SOON! (and don’t forget to come back for more if you’re still looking for ideas!). Advertising John Lewis. Let’s face it, they do advertising really well. Last year’s advert had us all glued to the TV during ad breaks rather than turning the sound off and making a cup of tea. Check out the 2010 campaign combined with some of schools worker Matt Turner’s thoughts here. This year’s campaign got us all talking a couple of weeks ago…be honest now, were there tears? Here’s this year’s ad on YouTube (John Lewis 2011)...who wants to have a go at transforming this one? There is a nice way that this could turn into a thought provoking assembly - you know it! (we’ll add the link here when someone comes up with something). Oh, and if you feel in need of a touch of cynicism and agree with Guardian writer Charlie Brooker, take a read of this: “This year Christmas adverts aren’t adverts, they’re ‘events’. Ghastly events” (This article also highlights some other classic Christmas adverts from this year, which can all be tweaked to communicate meaning in some way. have fun!) Church radio ads As cheesy as some church advertising boards can be at Christmas (who doesn’t cringe when they see “Jesus is the reason for the season”?!), some of the stuff out there is really quite good. Church Ads do a great series of radio commercials and this year’s theme is fashion, with the nativity in the style of a fashion catwalk. It’s worth a listen. Not sure how you would use this in an assembly, but you could certainly divide up the radio commercials between a class in RE and then get them coming up with their own. Take a look at the Church Ads site here: http://www.churchads.net/. Christmas Number Ones In the last few years TV viewing around Christmas has become about the winner of X Factor and which couple will beat the rest to win Strictly Come Dancing. The winner’s song from X Factor for a few year’s running claiming the Christmas number one, and the Strictly stars….erm, appearing on breakfast TV sofas. This year there seems to have been a shift and not many young people I know are very excited about who the winner will be this year of Mr Cowell’s dwindling UK show. Strictly seems to have gained a bit of support from this decline in ITV viewing, but is there a gap here for music performers, who release songs throughout the year, play concert after concert after concert, stick it out in the charts through it all, to have a chance at number one? What is it about the prestige of having a Christmas number one that is so important? And what is it that makes a great Christmas number one song. Is it about the lyrics and how much they resonate with our understanding of why Christmas is so important? How about for a music lesson leading up to Christmas you review all the number ones from the past ten years. Divide the songs up between your class and in groups have them analysing lyrics, genre, etc etc and them have them present their songs to the class (with a segment of music, some background and what the song is communicating). Then have the class vote for their favourite. You could even use the results in a Christmas assembly with a student talking about why this was voted top. Ok, this is going to be an ongoing blog. I’ll update Facebook when things are added (so ‘like’ our Facebook group if you haven’t already and you’ll get the updates). If you have your own suggestions to add, simply comment below or on Facebook. Happy creating time :) Primary, Secondary, 16+, SEN, Other, Blog 2011-12-02T11:16:15+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/advent/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/advent/#When:15:57:55Z Welcome to the start of Advent…to get us started on Christmas ideas and resources here’s a few links: Jonny Baker’s Advent links Rethinking Youth Ministry Advent Conspiracy Other, Blog 2011-12-01T15:57:55+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/the-story-of-everything/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/the-story-of-everything/#When:14:07:12Z The big story of the bible is incredible, here’s a little video of the whole thing. It might be a helpful tool to use in schools? I had to do a timeline of the bible for a Pioneer course I was doing with CMS. I created a short animation with the help of a friend, capturing the whole story. It seems a shame to hang onto it as I think it could be a useful resource to use in schools and with youth groups. If you would like a good quality copy to use for free just drop me an email. An early christmas present from me to you ;) rich@loveluton.org Primary, Secondary, 16+, SEN, Other, Young Leaders, Blog 2011-11-24T14:07:12+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/education-schools-work-update19/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/education-schools-work-update19/#When:18:59:22Z Headlines from the world of education and schools work:   David Cameron warns of ‘coasting’ comprehensive schools: Prime minister says many schools in affluent areas are complacent and fail to push middle-class pupils to full potential.   MP warns against giving anonymity to accused teachers: Coalition plans to grant anonymity to teachers accused of abusing schoolchildren risk placing a strain on freedom of speech, according to a senior Conservative MP.   Free school pupils less likely to need free meals: The proportion of children who attend free schools and are eligible for free meals is half the national average.   Pupils prefer sex education given by young people: School pupils dread learning about sex in school not because of an aversion to the birds or the bees – but to senior, often awkward, teachers wielding cucumbers and condoms.   School summer holidays may be cut: Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire have become the latest authorities to consider radical plans to reduce the long summer school holiday.   Ethnic minority pupils ‘soar by half in a decade’: The number of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds in English secondary schools has soared by more than half in a decade, according to research.   Deprived pupils ‘to be given boarding school places’: At least 1,000 children from the most troubled backgrounds could be given free places at top boarding schools under new plans.   School uses obscene ‘Sachsgate’ tapes in mock GCSE exam: Pupils at a prestigious London school studied the “Sachsgate” phone calls made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand as part of their mock GCSE English exam, it has emerged.   Faith school’s admissions policy ‘discriminates against single mothers’: The Catholic Church was embroiled in a fresh row with a top school after intervening to stop middle-class parents dominating places.   Children ‘dropping English literature in schools’: Children risk growing up with a poor understanding of literature and history as rising numbers of pupils ditch traditional academic disciplines at secondary school   London 2012 will fail to deliver lasting legacy for young, says Lord Moynihan: British Olympic Association chair and UK team manager condemns missed opportunities to inspire schoolchildren because of six years of failed government policy and “missed opportunity”.   Universities to cut 5,000 courses: Universities have slashed more than 5,000 degree courses because of government cuts and the hike in tuition fees, it has been claimed. A study by Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA), a service for admissions tutors, claims there will be a 12 per cent drop in the number of courses provided next year compared with 2011.   Parents ‘struggling to understand right from wrong’: Parents are dressing up their children in provocative clothes and allowing them to wear make-up and high heels because they lack traditional values, according to a leading headmistress.   Schools must engage pupils better, warns Michael Gove’s behaviour tsar: Outstanding-rated schools could be downgraded as inspections will focus more on children ‘switching off’ in class.  Schools must do more to engage children who are passively “opting out” of lessons, the government’s adviser on behaviour has warned.   Schoolboy’s skirt protest up for human rights award: A boy who wore a skirt to school in protest at a ban on boys wearing shorts during the summer months has been nominated for a human rights award.   Nearly a third of schools ‘not good enough’: Almost a third of schools are failing to provide children with a good standard of education, Ofsted warns.  Ofsted voices concerns over teaching standards: Serious concerns were raised today that teaching in two fifths of schools is not good enough, with pupils subjected to unproductive and dull lessons. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Other, Blog 2011-11-22T18:59:22+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/it-takes-a-lot-of-heart1/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/it-takes-a-lot-of-heart1/#When:14:04:41Z The theme of the conference this year was ‘Essence: it takes a lot of heart.’  Most of my time was spent in the bustling exhibition, looking after the schoolswork.co.uk stand and so I missed a lot of the main content, but did manage to squeeze in some input from the wonderful Rob Parsons, Scott Todd and young American Zach Hunter. Loads of great conversations on the stand, encouraged to hear about all the great work going on in schools around the UK.  Conversations also progressed over the weekend relating the new schools work qualification, which we’ll be sharing about hopefully very soon! Nigel Roberts (YFC) and Wayne Dixon (SU) led two great seminars on the future of schools work, thinking both about policy and politics as well as some practical tools and resources. We’ll hopefully be able to share their presentations here, so watch this space. If you were at the conference hope you also had a great time, and have come away encouraged and enthused about your ministry. Coming back from conferences should be exciting and exhilarating, however it very often feels like the end of a summer camp when you were a teenager…it has been a great weekend where we were brought closer to God and were mixing with others who had similar passions, and then you get back and it can feel a bit deflating. If you understand that feeling you’re not alone! Actually, Rob’s message to us on the Friday night needs to ring true in our ears here - ‘DON’T LOSE HEART’!! The longer term effect of conferences like this one often have an impact in a way that we’re unable to see or understand immediately. If you missed this one and want to make sure you don’t miss the next one, book now. Dates are 23 - 25 November 2012. Primary, Secondary, 16+, SEN, Other, Young Leaders, Blog 2011-11-22T14:04:41+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/the-nativity-dvd/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/the-nativity-dvd/#When:21:31:39Z Finally the Bible Society is taking pre-orders for The Nativity DVD: The BBC’s popular four-part drama series introduces the compelling story of the nativity brought to you in a fresh and contemporary way.  Writer Tony Jordan transforms a classic tale with familiar characters into a gripping human drama with an all-star cast. With a special licence to allow schools and churches to show the drama, as well as time-saving, easy-to-use learning materials. The links to the  free downloadable resources for churches and schools will be added in early December. For teachers: The creative classroom-learning materials – written by Stephen Pett, RE Today and author of The Bible: the Big Story – will provide a credible way of communicating the Christmas story to students.   Time-saving resource which covers the syllabus for KS3 RE   Provides a variety of dynamic ways to help engage students   Reflective activities and discussion starters   A unique, dramatic and contemporary twist on the familiar Christmas story   Certifcate PG, region 2 PAL, Length 120 minutes (in four parts)   Includes English subtitles For churches:   Give your church or local community a fresh perspective on the familiar Christmas story   Reel Issues discussion notes to support, encourage and develop discussions within your church or youth groups   Introduce the drama to your community during a Christmas outreach programme   Resources also include the report The Politics of Christmas from Christian think tank THEOS – a valuable tool which promises to surprise and inspire readers The DVD may be shown in home, educational, church and cultural settings provided there is no admission charge. Daily Telegraph said: ‘There are no gimmicks – simply a gentle, compassionate retelling of a very familiar story.’ Dr Krish Kandiah from Evangelical Alliance added: ‘The powerful story of the Nativity speaks of God’s love for all of us. This is a great resource to experience the wonder of Jesus’ birth in a new way.’ Roy Crowne, from Hope, said: ‘The nativity story presented in this contemporary way shows the power of this event in history. It’s for the church to authentically communicate the story which is relevant today to every community. The Nativity communicates hope in so many ways where people are desperate for hope.’ Lat Blaylock, Editor RE Today, ‘The BBC Nativity series will inspire some great RE where teachers use it. The portrayal of the story is far from the chocolate box or Christmas card of clean straw and polished stable floor: great performances raise a hundred questions about why this story matters so much and is loved so widely. I hope it is shown in thousands of schools – it deserves to be.’ This product is a pre-order. The product is due for release on 02 December 2011 and it will be despatched as soon as possible after this date. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Other, Blog 2011-11-11T21:31:39+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/education-schools-work-update18/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/education-schools-work-update18/#When:23:25:34Z Headlines from the world of education and schools work:   Rachel de Souza: ‘We went to pupils’ homes and got them out of bed’: Head teacher Rachel de Souza knew her pupils needed a wake-up call – literally – to improve standards. As a result, she arranged for teaching staff to go round to their homes during the Easter holidays and drag them out of bed to come in for maths revision classes. It is just one of the innovations which has transformed the failing Costessey secondary school in Norwich into the thriving Victory Academy within 12 months.   Apply for university AFTER getting your A-level grades: The most radical overhaul of university admissions for half a century would allow students to apply after they receive their A-level results, sparing them the anguish of the clearing system.   Schools acting as ‘surrogate parents’, says Ofsted chief: Schools are being forced to act as “surrogate families” because growing numbers of parents struggle to bring up their children properly, according to the new head of Ofsted.   Summer-born children ‘less likely to attend top universities’: Summer-born children are considerably less likely to attend top universities than pupils with autumn birthdays, according to research.   Social mobility of young people ‘being held back by government policy’: Cuts to education, benefits and pensions likely to lead to deeper inequalities in the future, says the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.  The government’s radical proposals make it “difficult to be optimistic” about meeting ministers’ commitments to increase social mobility for young people, an influential thinktank has warned.   Teachers suffering from ‘burnout’, warns new Ofsted chief: Good teachers should be given time off to stop them suffering from classroom “burnout”, according to the incoming head of Ofsted.   Parents urged to be proud of apprentices: Parents should be just as proud of their children securing a top apprenticeship as getting in to university, the new shadow Education Secretary, Stephen Twigg, said.   More than 35,000 Sats papers are re-marked: More than 35,000 Sats papers were sent back for re-marking this year by primary schools across the country, as headteachers questioned the quality of marking and the validity of the tests.   Towns where 1 in 4 young people are ‘Neets’ revealed: Doncaster, Grimsby and Warrington named in first study to map clusters of under-25s who are not in work, education or training   Jarrow marchers joined by hundreds of supporters as they complete trek: Protesters who recreated the original 1936 march hand petition to No 10 calling for action on youth jobs and services.  A group of activists who recreated the famous 1936 Jarrow March for Jobs completed their journey on Saturday. Primary, Secondary, 16+, Other, Blog 2011-11-06T23:25:34+00:00 http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/anti-bullying-week/ http://www.schoolswork.co.uk/blog/entry/anti-bullying-week/#When:10:56:02Z I have been asked to do upper and lower school assemblies in a secondary school to do with anti-bullying week. I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas that they are planning to use or have used in the past? I have looked through the anti-bullying week website and all their examples seem only about communicating lots of information but I would like something that really grabs their attention. I did the gossip assembly with the cows tongue last year so unfortunately thats a no go. Would be grateful for any ideas Secondary, 16+, Blog 2011-11-04T10:56:02+00:00