The 2016 Why Virtue Matters Essay Contest and the Jubilee Youth Awards for Service are now open for entries. The Why Virtue Matters Essay Contest encourages young people to consider the meaning and importance of the virtues of honesty, courage and service and the Jubilee Youth Awards recognise young people for their outstanding commitment to social action. Find out more about each of the programmes here. Read more
The DfE this week published a news story entitled ’10 facts you need to know about academies’. It offers information intended to dispel some common myths and misconceptions about the academies programme. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live this week, Nicky Morgan said that the enforced academy programme will go ahead despite opposition in her own party and the raising of some important issues. Read more
The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues are delighted to launch the Teaching Character Through Subjects report and teaching resources. This year-long project, funded by the Department for Education, worked across England with 29 teachers from 28 state funded schools to create an innovative resource for building character within 14 subjects across the secondary school curriculum. The materials were developed by teachers, for teachers, and trialled in schools. Read more
Heston Blumenthal is hoping to inspire the next generation of chefs by applying his signature style in a brand-new GCSE. Blumenthal has partnered with examiners OCR to develop the new Food Preparation and Nutrition qualification. He helped craft the new course alongside experienced teachers, with the hope of addressing current ‘Victorian era’ food education issues. Read more
Nearly 750 childcare providers say they fear being put out of business by government plans to double free hours, says the Pre-school Learning Alliance. In 2017, free care for three-and four-year-olds will rise from 15 to 30 hours in each term-time week. But childcare providers say the scheme is underfunded, and 49% of 1,500 who chose to respond to an online survey said they could be forced to close. Read more
A new support service for children with mental health issues has been launch in a bid to tackle rising concerns about mental health illnesses in young people. The DfE and Department of Health have launched a new interactive resource called MindEd for concerned children and their families to find help and advice on a range of issues. Read more