SECONDARY SCHOOLS STRUGGLING
Ofsted has warned that many secondary schools in England are not making sufficient progress. The school inspector’s chief, Sir Michael Wilshaw, said that secondary schools have ‘stalled’ and that they need to ‘concentrate on the basics’, after almost a third were reported as not being good enough. Wilshaw also said that 170,000 pupils are in inadequate secondary schools, close to 70,000 more than two years ago.
DIVORCE IMPACTS EDUCATION
A study has shown that family breakdown can have a negative effect on children’s exams results and personal life. In the study of 4,000 adults and 500 young people, 65 per cent said divorce had damaged GCSE results, and 44 per cent said it had a similar effect on A levels. This may be linked to the result that 15 per cent of those questioned moved schools following a divorce.
YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S WORK SOUTH WEST
This year’s Youth and Children’s Work South West conference will take place in Exeter at Belmont chapel on March 7th. The annual, cross-denominational event is for youth and children’s workers across the region, featuring keynote talks and a variety of workshops. This year’s main speaker is youth ministry legend, author of Contemplative youth ministry and Premier Youthwork contributor Mark Yaconelli, who is also leading a retreat day on March 6th. Further details are available at ycwsw.org.uk
POLITICAL MATTERS
Premier Youthwork is going to be getting up close and personal with some MPs in the run up to this spring’s election, and we want to hear from young people about what political issues matter to them. Head to premieryouthwork.com/election and use the survey to ask your young people what they care about.
