Faculty of Education News Stories

Interactive White Board and Collaborative Student Learning Website

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:13:00 +0000

A new site, which provides an insight into a research project focused on how primary school pupils use Interactive White Boards when asked to collaborate on science activities, has been launched. The website is part of the outcomes of research undertaken by Neil Mercer, Paul Warwick, Ruth Kershner and Judith Kleine Staarman.

Restorative Justice

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Yesterday the Faculty hosted a meeting between Sir Charles Pollard, Lord Falconer, Lawrence Kershen QC and Dr Hilary Cremin, Dr Edward Sellman (Nottingham), Dr Gillean McCluskey (Edinburgh) Dr Colleen McLaughlin, and Professor Madeleine Arnot. The group (pictured here with the exception of Madeleine Arnot) came together to discuss the forthcoming ESRC Seminar Series on Resorative Justice, and in particular the launch seminar which will be held in the House of Lords early next year.

Too few want to be headteachers [UPDATED]

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00 +0000

The BBC reports on research into The Recruitment and Retention of Headteachers in Scotlands, which was undertaken by John MacBeath, Peter Gronn and Darleen Opfer, along with colleagues from the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh. The report was funded by the Scottish Government and is available online. The report's findings have gained a host of further media coverage over the course of the weekend.

Listen again - How can we best encourage social mobility? (FOI debate)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00 +0000

If you missed out on the Cambridge Festival of Ideas, Social Mobility debate chaired by Mike Younger and which featured Professor Diane Reay, you can now listen to a podcast of the event on the Guardian Website.

OSI Middle East Cambridge Scholarships

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:00 +0000

The Open Society Foundation-London, a division of the Soros Foundation, is collaborating with the Cambridge Overseas Trust to fund postgraduate students from the Middle East at the University of Cambridge. Ten scholarships will be awarded to applicants for 2010 from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Syria who plan to study for a PhD in order to pursue an academic career in their home country or region. Applications are welcomed from Education although other subjects within the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities are being considered.

George Baines

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00 +0000

Today's Guardian (28 October) carries Dr Catherine Burke's obituary of George Baines, headteacher in Oxfordshire schools during the 1960s - 80s. His practice helped to inform the design of primary education in Britain and abroad, and his schools attracted visitors from all over the world.

Children's Perception of Object Motion (FoI event)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:00 +0000

Professor Christine Howe is leading a drop-in workshop being held in the Faculty on Tuesday 27 October 2009 from 10.00 until 16.00, as part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas. The session will give people the opportunity to discover the ways in which children learn about how objects move and to try out new computer software using billiards tables and hot air balloons.

How can we best encourage social mobility? (FOI debate)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00 +0000

On Wednesday the 28th October, members of the Faculty will be involved in a Cambridge Festival of Ideasdebate asking why the UK's social mobility is not increasing? Anastasia de Waal, Director of Family and Education at Civitas, Professor Diane Reay, Joe Baden, Manager of the Open Book programme at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Brenda King, Chief Executive of ACDiversity will lead the discussion which will be chaired by Mike Younger. The event takes place in the Mill Lane Lecture Rooms in the centre of town. If you are interested in the Festival of Ideas debates involving the Faculty of Education don't forget the SEAL Debate tonight (21st)

BBC Radio 4 Call You and Yours

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00 +0000

Today's (20th Oct) Call You and Yours is devoted to the Cambridge Primary Review's final report, 'Children, their World, their Education' . The programme starts at 12 noon and the panel will include Professor Robin Alexander.

Family poetry writing (FOI event)

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00 +0000

On Saturday the 24th October, Morag Styles will be running a poetry writing workshop for children with a parent or carer. This event is part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas and promises to be great fun, and extremely popular, so pre-book to avoid disappointment! The number to call for bookings is 01223 766766

Cambridge Primary Review publishes final report

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:00 +0000

The Cambridge Primary Review's final report, 'Children, their World, their Education' has been official launched today, garnering a great deal of press interest. More information on the events that accompany the launch can be found here.

SEAL: Dangerous concept or a vital link? (FOI Debate)

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:00 +0000

On Wednesday the 21st October 5.00 - 6.30 the Faculty will be hosting a debate on Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning, featuring Prof Kathryn Ecclestone, Professor in Education, Birmingham University; Dr Hilary Cremin, Dr Colleen McLaughlin, and Prof Felicia Huppert, Professor in Psychiatry and Director of the Well-Being Institute, University of Cambridge. This event is part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas and should be a lively evening, with short presentations, followed by a debate with the audience and panel. All are Welcome!

Full of Ideas

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:00 +0000

The Cambridge Festival of Ideas starts next week, and as ever, the Faculty of Education is providing a wide variety of sessions. These range from Children's Poetry and Primary Science through to debates on Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) and Social Mobility. Check back for more information throughout the rest of the week for events tagged FoI.

Growing Anticipation for the Review's Final Report

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:30 +0000

In this week's TES (9 Oct) the upcoming launch of the Cambridge Primary Review's final report, 'Children, their World, their Education' is discussed. The story highlights some of the upcoming launch events.

Professional Development 09/10

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:18 +0000

Are you looking to further your career through professional development? Are you looking to gain skills that can lead towards a Masters in Education? The Faculty organises a wide variety of Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD and CPD) courses, why not try one? The 2009/10 Calendar of events is now available for you to download and print out for your staff room wall!

Relational Matters

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:34 +0000

This week's TES (25 Sept) features an article on Colleen McLaughlin and Barbie Clarke's review of research into early adolescent mental health in schools. This review is part of the Changing Adolescence Programme of research on time trends in adolescent mental health, set up by the Nuffield Foundation in 2005, and part of the Faculty's research into the influence of schools on young people's mental health outcomes led by Colleen alongside Professors John Gray and Maurice Galton.

Review back in the news

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:46 +0000

The upcoming launch of the Cambridge Primary Review's final report, ' 'Children, their World, their Education' is discussed in a BBC News article that looks at the Review's scope and potential impact on primary education. More information on the launch of the final report can be found on the Events page.

Restorative Approaches to conflict in schools

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:15 +0000

A free course that aims to provide an overview of Restorative Approaches to conflict in schools is being offered in the Faculty on Friday 16th October. Drawing on many years of practice and research in this area, Dr Cremin will outline a process which has been shown to reduce bullying and violence in schools, divert young people from crime and anti-social behaviour, and promote well-being and the social and emotional aspects of learning. She will also introduce a 60 hour accredited PPD course on the same subject that will begin in January 2010. Cambridge & District Community Mediation Service is sponsoring the event on the 16th.

AAIA Acknowledgement

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:00 +0000

Sue Swaffield has been made an Honorary Life Member of AAIA, the Association for Achievement and Improvement through Assessment, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Association over many years. Sue was presented with the award last week (18th September) at AAIA's 20th Annual Conference, and is only the second person to receive the honour.

Pearce Memorial Lecture

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:00 +0000

The second Pearce Memorial Lecture was given at Homerton College on 10 September 2009. The guest speaker, Michael Rosen, who has just finished an outstanding stint as Children's Laureate, gave an electrifying speech entitled, What is children's poetry for? : towards a new, child-specific, 'Apologie for Poetrie' (Sir Philip Sidney, 1595). The erudite and thought-provoking talk also included some amusing children's poetry and at various points in the presentation Rosen had an enthusiastic audience of about 300 in hysterics. It was followed by a lively question and answer session. Morag Styles, Chair of Philippa Pearce Memorial Lecture Steering Committee, drew attention to links between the work and interests of Philippa Pearce and Michael Rosen in her opening. Rosen's inspirational talk was followed by a wine reception in Homerton Great Hall. The Pearce Memorial Lecture moves to Seven Stories Centre for the Children's Book in Newcastle for next year only (Michael Morpurgo is the speaker on 30 September) and returns to Homerton on 8 September 2011 when Philip Pullman is the guest lecturer. The lecture will appear on the memorial lecture website and a shorter version will be featured in the next issue of Books for Keeps

Cambridge Primary Review Dissemination

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:00 +0000

The Cambridge Primary Review's highly anticipated final report, 'Children, their World, their Education', will be published in October and will be accompanied by a series of 14 regional conferences to disseminate the findings and recommendations. The final report is edited by Professor Robin Alexander, with contributions from Michael Armstrong, Julia Flutter, Linda Hargreaves, Wynne Harlen, David Harrison, Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer, Ruth Kershner, John MacBeath, Berry Mayall, Stephanie Northen, Gillian Pugh, Colin Richards and David Utting. A companion volume, 'The Cambridge Primary Review Research Surveys', edited by Robin Alexander with Christine Doddington, John Gray, Linda Hargreaves and Ruth Kershner, will also be published in October.

New Trainees

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00 +0000

This week sees the beginning of a new year as the 2009/10 PGCE Trainees come to the Faculty to register and take the first steps towards QTS status. Hello and Welcome! More.

Another year NRICHer

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:00 +0000

With over 10 million hits per month, the NRICH project continues to go from strength to strength, and 2008-9 has been no exception. The project's scope includes not only a successful website with over 20,000 registered members, but includes the Fast Forward Maths and Teacher Enrichment projects, as well as work with the QCA on engaging maths for all learners. A full overview of the last year can be found in the NRICH annual report.

The Development of Teacher Knowledge

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:00 +0000

Tomorrow (8th September) Professor Ann Lieberman, emeritus Professor from Teachers College, Columbia University will be giving an Open Lecture on The Development of Teacher Knowledge: Learning from research and practice. Ann is widely known for her work in the areas of teacher leadership and development, collaborative research, networks and school-university partnerships, and the problems and prospects for understanding educational change.The Lecture is from 9.30 - 11.00am and all are welcome.

Online Timeline Launched

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:00 +0000

An interactive exhibition which traces the history of teacher training in Cambridge has been launched. The timeline follows the story of how Cambridge set the standard for training teachers in Britain and, from humble beginnings, came to house one of the largest groups of educational researchers and teaching trainers in the country. To celebrate this illustrious history, former staff and students are also being asked to get in touch to add their memories to an oral history archive.