Free Schools: "We know, but we won't tell you !"

The Anti-Academies alliance has submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act, for the Department for Education to release details of proposed "free schools" to be set up under the new policy of the Con-Dem government. Specifically, the AAA requested information on:-

• The geographical location of all applications submitted to the Department for Education to establish "free schools", under the terms of the Academies Bill.
• The identities of the individuals or groups who have submitted these applications.
• Brief summaries of the intended specialisms, ethos and if possible curriculum of the planned schools.

The response may tell you something about the coalition government's attitude to openness and transparency. On each of the three points they state that: "The Department holds the information you have requested, but it is being withheld" claiming a rather flimsy exemption to the Act, suggesting that it is in "the public interest in permitting the Government to publish information in a manner and at a time of its own choosing"

You can read the full response from the Department for Education by clicking here.

Consultations on Behaviour

The Department for Education Behaviour and Attendance in Schools Division is seeking information from teacher unions on the use of force and extending the powers to search in schools. The response from Unions is required before the beginning of the school term.

The key questions upon which teachers' views are being sought are:

• Use of Force - Why are some teachers reluctant to use force to control or restrain pupils in accordance with the law?
• Teachers' search powers - At present both the teacher conducting the search and the witness who must also be present must be of the same gender as the pupil being searched. From September, the witness to the search will need only be the same gender as the pupil where this is reasonably practicable. Should the same requirement be introduced in relation to the gender of the searcher (i.e. that the person conducting the search need only be the same gender as the pupil being searched where this is reasonably practicable). What may be the implications of such a change?

The Government’s Education Select Committee has announced an Inquiry into Behaviour and Discipline in Schools. Written submissions have been invited addressing the points listed below. The Union will be submitting a written response to the Inquiry and seeks your views on the following:

• How to support and reinforce positive behaviour in schools
• The nature and level of challenging behaviour by pupils in schools, and the impact upon schools and their staff
• Approaches taken by schools and local authorities to address challenging behaviour, including fixed-term and permanent exclusions
• Ways of engaging parents and carers in managing their children's challenging behaviour
• How special educational needs can best be recognised in schools' policies on behaviour and discipline
• The efficacy of alternative provision for pupils excluded from school because of their behaviour
• Links between attendance and behaviour in schools
• The Government's proposals regarding teachers' powers to search pupils, removal of the requirement for written notice of detentions outside school hours, and the extent of teachers' disciplinary powers, as announced by the Department on 7 July.

I would very much like to hear the opinions of colleagues in the Brighton and Hove, Kent, East Sussex and Medway NUT areas, to guide my contributions to the discussions on this issue. Please feel free to e-mail any comments to d.brinson@executive.nut.org.uk