These articles for parents will provide you with a wide range of information about issues in your child’s school. There are also many specific topic areas for you to explore, including behaviour, achievement, special educational needs and more. Also visit our sister site My Child, a unique family learning and education guide that helps parents help their children learn.
In March 2008, a four-year investigation into whether Glaxosmithkline had withheld negative information about the effects of Seroxat on under-18s ended with a decision that there was insufficient evidence to mount a successful prosecution. Special Children reports
How can outreach work effectively engage hard-to-reach community members? Partnership working and forward thinking has been successful in breaking down barriers to participation, as Nazia Hussain, project manager for Keighley extended schools cluster in Bradford, explains
Early Years Update looks at the National Healthy Schools Programme and the key issues it aims to address
What does the Children’s Plan have to say about shaping up a more emotionally literate education system?
In early years especially, boys should not be forced into a “girl-like” model of learning, explains Steve Mynard
Mosac is a London-based charity that supports non-abusing parents and carers of children who have been sexually abused. Julia Webb-Harvey provides a case study to illustrate its work
The parental fundraising team is a fanstastic resource. Paul Ainsworth and Josephine Smith look at how to maximise the work it does
Michael Segal explains why a clear school complaints procedure is vital
The rulings of two recent legal cases indicate that an SEN pupil’s attitude and application will now be key in assessing educational negligence claims, writes Mark Blois
The Children’s Plan was launched by Ed Balls in December 2007, but what are the government’s objectives for this initiative?
Michael Farrell considers provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties (MLD)
Phil Williams, chair of governors of Kelmscott Secondary School, gives a personal view of his school’s involvement in the first wave of the Building Schools for the Future scheme
Jenni Whitehead reports on a review of the legislation that limited the use of physical chastisement
Jenni Whitehead provides clarification on when the Data Protection Act applies to photographing and filming students in school
Helen Wheeler describes how the PEAL training programme helped practitioners to develop parents’ involvement in their children’s learning
Recent research into the experiences of parent governor representatives (PGRs) found confusion over the role, lack of respect and communication difficulties, writes David Gordon
Some participants in a phone-in programme about the roll-out of SEAL thought that happiness could not or should not be taught, and that it was simply a question of ‘common sense’. Emotional literacy coordinator Julie Leoni explains why she disagrees
When is exclusion for serious misconduct justified, and how careful must a headteacher be in excluding a pupil?
Who gets the final say in deciding when a statement of SEN comes to an end? David Ruebain, Chris Barnett and David Wolfe unravel a complex new case
Natassja Cole gives her verdict on the pros and cons of being on the G&T register
Legal Surgery answers a question about exclusion of a violent pupil who has SEN
Amid a deluge of new discipline and behaviour provision, the updated exclusions guidance has taken effect. Ingrid Sutherland outlines the changes
Which is more important — a pupil’s right to privacy, or the public interest in education?
Early Years Update highlights the key management issues contained in the EYFS Statutory Framework
Jenni Clarke discusses the important role early years practitioners can play in helping young children to develop good eating habits
The CfBT Education Trust manages the national gifted and talented strategy and is planning an online ‘one-stop-shop’ to provide routes to CPD, case study material, outreach events, resources etc
Special needs consultant Patti Turner details the actions you need to take to ensure your school is fully meeting the medicinal needs of all children
Joan Sallis examines some of the different issues that affect governors in primary and secondary schools
New research evaluates how effectively Sure Start programmes help children with special needs and disabilities
The Association of Children’s Hospices (ACH) – the national voice for children’s hospice services – asks schools to celebrate 25 years of children’s hospice care through the Butterfly Swimathon.
Are child protection practices and procedures are adequate in cases of domestic violence and parental substance misuse?
Looking after other people’s children is responsible work, says Sue Dale Tunnicliffe
Christine Fanthome outlines practical strategies for students to aid examination success
Does your school have an effective policy on the administration of medication to children? Special needs consultant Patti Turner looks at some of the problems that can arise and the ways to avoid them
A long-term, focused relationship with parents can pay dividends, says John Welham.
Many governors’ influence in their schools falls short of the model suggested by law, regulations, training, and the perceptions of politicians and the press.
Q: can a parent be prosecuted for not sending a child to school when there is an education supervision order in force?
New initiatives, including travel plans and school transport advisers, are being introduced. Managers ignore these at their peril, writes Ingrid Sutherland.
Why do so many people think that giftedness is a ‘seriously wrong’ idea? Dr Ruth Cigman argues that the way forward lies in ensuring that we recognise genuine giftedness.
Every school has a general duty of care for all of the children in its care. This extends to ensuring children’s safety on the internet.
A fire safety petition is calling for the installation of sprinkler systems in all new and refurbished schools.
EYU reviews a new report calling for increased government spending to bring about a childcare system that combines quality, affordability and appropriateness for all children.
Attachment theory is explored here by Steve Mynard, who summarises some of the research and suggests ways that you could use this in your setting.
In his regular column, Dr Graham Haydon argues that the decision to smoke is not just a matter of individual choice.
Angela Youngman investigates some initiatives designed to involve men in careers with young children.
Pat Barnes, education consultant and former head, suggests ways to manage and make the most of parental help in schools.
The successful implementation of new standards for school lunches, along with an increased uptake in school meals, is enhanced by a whole-school approach, according to research by the School Food Trust
A new campaign calls on the government to launch an enquiry into the impact of parental alcohol misuse and develop new services for parents and children
Mobile phone bullying is on the increase but there is plenty of support available.
Use all the openings possible to encourage your children to express themselves through the written word, says Lynn Cousins.
Angela Youngman finds out about a scheme to improve communication in early years settings through the use of sign language.
A whole-school approach to food and health is fundamental to establishing good dietary habits and an understanding of the links between good nutrition and future health. In this article Anna Denny shows how shools can support children in leading a healthy lifestyle.
The cashless school will bring a dramatic range of benefits for students, parents and schools.
It is estimated that one in six truants on any given day is absent with their parents on a family holiday. As part of the government’s drive to curb unauthorised term-time absences, the DfES and the Association of British Travel Agents are currently promoting the Every Lesson Counts scheme, which offers discounts, free child places and early booking deals for families.
School meals are in the news again, as Hull City Council announces the success of its free healthy lunch programme for primary and special school pupils.
Headteacher David Dixon considers the inequalities of the schools admissions system, including negative effects on social cohesion and the ability of some schools to raise achievement and attainment.
Amelia Wallington looks at what schools can do to counteract increasing appeals from parents.
DOES the right to freedom of religion entitle teachers to inflict corporal punishment on children if parents authorise it?
Family learning covers all forms of informal and formal learning that involve more than one generation, writes Melissa Gardner
To what extent do Parent Partnership Services work in supporting national strategies for promoting inclusion and reducing poor outcomes for some individual pupils with special educational needs? SENCOs who are often the link between PPSs, parents and their school will be interested in answers to this question and others in the findings of this new study.
I CAN, the charity concerned with meeting the needs of a wide range of pupils with communication difficulties has an easy-to-navigate and informative website. It includes dedicated areas that provide advice and support related to early years and school phases of education.
Not all local authorities fully appreciate the value of Parent Partnership Services (PPSs), according to new research(1). Some authorities are not convinced about the use of the service in enhancing outcomes for pupils with special educational needs.
As the Change for Children programme progresses, Simon Collister looks at how more and more children with medical conditions are having their needs met in mainstream settings.
A group of health experts has warned that the recent attention given to improving the quality of school meals has overshadowed moves to get children to drink more.
The drive to improve the quality of food in schools has taken another step forward with the publication of a report by the independent School Meals Review Panel.
I CAN, the charity that helps children communicate has coined the term ‘communication disability’ to encompass the problems faced by all 1.2 million children and young people across the UK with speech, language or communication difficulties or delays.
Many statistics point to the potential risks and disadvantages of being a boy, but how can we help them fulfil their potential? Maggie Dent investigates
Disabled children and young people can experience discrimination related to their disability in contexts that extend beyond school as the following story illustrates.
The interim results of a pioneering study involving 60 toddlers in Durham have provided impressive evidence of the effects of omega-3 oil on children’s learning abilities.
SENCOs will find two recent publications helpful for developing dyslexia-friendly schools – one for adult literacy and numeracy skills, the other from the primary national strategy.