July 2006

National Middle Schools’ Forum

Newsletter –July 2006

1.    Bedfordshire throw out plan to reorganise

Good news for the middle school community! Bedfordshire County Council has voted to retain the existing three tier system in the county.

Bedfordshire County Council – Press release:

Bedfordshire County Council votes to retain three-tier school system

 13 July 2006

Bedfordshire County Council has voted to retain the three-tier school system of lower, middle and upper schools at a meeting of the Full Council today (Thursday 13 July 2006).

The council voted to accept an amendment which retained the existing schools structure, and rejected a proposed move to a two-tier system.

The amendment also proposes an action plan designed to improve standards at all Bedfordshire Schools and raise standards to the average achieved by comparable authorities at Key Stage Four (16 years old).

Progress will be monitored through a performance management structure. The County Council will formally review progress in late 2009.

Councillor Rita Drinkwater, Cabinet member for Education, said: "We have accepted the view of the County Council on school structures and will now be getting on with implementing the amended recommendations."

2.    Should Headteachers teach?

Ian Bradbury, Head of Danesfield Middle School, Somerset, discusses this question in a thought provoking in a new article to be found on the NMSF website:

http://www.middleschools.org.uk/practice.php

3.    National Conference 2006 – Have you booked your place?

‘Leading for the Future’

9^th to 11^th October, 2006

Keynote speakers include David Bell, Permanent Secretary DFES  Maggie Farrer, NCSL and Russell Prue – who offers a completely fresh approach to leading and learning with technology.

Enquiries regarding the conference to:

Mrs Sue Kennedy, Greneway Middle School, Garden Walk, Royston,Hertfordshire. SG8 7JF   

Tel:01763 243650      head@greneway.herts.sch.uk

Booking form from the NMSF website:  

http://www.middleschools.org.uk/next.php

NB: Cheques to be payable to The Greneway School

Nigel Wyatt

Executive Officer

Tel: 01722 710511

nigel.wyatt@dial.pipex.com

Previous Newsletters

September 2010    July 2010    June 2010 no 2    June 2010    July 2009    February 2009    November 2008    September 2008    June 2008    January 2008    December 2007    June 2007    March 2007    December 2006    October 2006    July 2006    June 2006    May 2006    February 2006    January 2006    November 2005    Autumn 2005    Summer 2005    Spring Term 2005