We keep our eye on the web to find the latest information relevant to people working in education, and sporting activity for young people.
The Webtracker is intended to provide a useful summary of information to support your work. The Youth Sport Trust is not responsible for any of the content featured on any linked external sites referenced in the Webtracker.
Copyright of items listed in the Webtracker remains with the copyright owners of the external websites to which the report is referenced. The Webtracker is not meant to be exhaustive and inclusion in the service is not an endorsement of an organisation's website or research.May - June 2008
School Leadership and Management
Emerging Patterns of School Leadership: Current Practice and Future Directions
June 08
This study maps and explores emerging practice and highlights possible future directions in school leadership, management and governance. The findings are drawn from a literature review and accounts of practice based on research conducted in 20 schools and collaborative arrangements. The study underlines that there is a range of interesting developments taking place regarding the conceptualisation and implementation of leadership practices, and management and governance arrangements. Many of these seem to have the potential to increase the capacity of schools to innovate.
Click here to view the report
National College of School Leadership Associate Research Reports
June 08
These reports from the research associate programme are written by senior schools leaders and leaders of children's centres and cover a range of school leadership topics including: co-headship for succession planning, strategies for managing headship and school business managers.
To view the reports click here
A Focus on Improvement: Proposals for Maintained School Inspections from September 2009
June 08
Ofsted have launched a consultation that proposes more frequent inspections for schools that are inadequate or satisfactory, but not improving, and a longer interval for those judged good or outstanding. Developed after discussions with nearly 1,000 headteachers and other professionals, parents and pupil focus groups, the new approach will be piloted this year from the summer term and implemented in September 2009. The consultation can be completed online and closes on 11th August 2008.
To access the consultation online click here
Teaching and Learning
Teacher Resignation and Recruitment Survey
May 08
The National Foundation for Educational Research conducted a survey of maintained primary and secondary schools to investigate teacher retention. The survey was carried out on behalf of the Local Government Association and schools were asked to provide details about those teachers who left and joined them during 2006. The report provides details on the findings of this work and comparisons of the 2006 survey with those conducted in previous years.
To view the report click here
Secondary School Curriculum and Staffing Survey 2007
June 08
The aim of this survey was to create a picture of the secondary school teaching workforce in terms of teachers’ qualifications and the curriculum subjects they taught. The research found that 25% of PE teachers had a BEd compared to an average of 7% across all subjects; also, in PE the proportion of teachers with degrees in related subjects rose to 50% in 2007 compared to 25% in 2002.
To view the report click here
Teachers as Innovative Professionals
May 08
This report draws on evidence gathered during the first half of 2007. It reports in some detail what was found in ten case study schools and the experiences of a further 35 teachers when asked about their personal experience of innovating in the classroom. The report identifies the meaning of innovation, why there is a need to innovate, creating the conditions for innovating in teaching and the source of ideas for innovating.
To view the report click here
Those Who Can?
May 08
This report considers the implications of current trends for teaching in England. It also explores the central role that teachers play in pupil attainment and development. Implications discussed include economic changes, changes to families and communities and political reform.
To view the report click here
Thursday's Child
May 08
This report recognises that focusing on policy levers alone can undervalue the role of the teacher which educational research shows has the biggest impact on learning in schools. Taking this as its starting point it looks to the future of educational reform, underpinned by an understanding of the changing needs, goals and objectives of schools and sets out short-and long-term recommendations to address the barriers that prevent our school system from being world-class.
To view the report click here
The Assessment for Learning (AfL) Strategy
May 08
Aimed primarily at teachers and school leaders, the Assessment for Learning Strategy aims to support schools in developing their assessment of pupils, to enhance learning and improve the rate of pupil progression. The strategy sets out aims and objectives for each year, describing how the strategy will be delivered and gives details of the resources available to schools.
To view the strategy document click here
The Diploma: A Disaster Waiting to Happen?
June 08
This independent assessment of the soundness of the ideas, the implications and the early stages of implementation for the Diploma is based on an analysis of the conceptual basis and practical realisation; a detailed study of three of the diplomas - engineering, creative and media and ICT - to be taught from September 2008; and the views of the awarding bodies, teachers, schools and colleges, employers and universities. It asks whether there is a better way forward and makes twelve recommendations.
Raising Standards
High Performing Specialist Schools (HPSS): Interim Evaluation
May 08
This Interim Report presents findings from Year 1 of the research undertaken between August and December 2007. The research aims to collate and inform on the early outcomes and experiences of new entrants to the HPSS programme, consider the longer term impact of the HPSS programme and address the question of sustainability of the programme. The report is based on 158 interviews that were carried out with school staff and stakeholders, including the Youth Sport Trust. The report includes good practice examples from all HPSS schools, including those with a sport specialism.
Statistical Release: Pupil absence - Autumn 2007 term report (provisional)
May 08
This document reports on absence during the autumn 2007 term in maintained primary, secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies in England. It is based on pupil level absence data collected via the spring 2008 School Census. This release provides local level information on the rates of absence (authorised, unauthorised and overall) by type of school; number of enrolments missing more than 27 or 63 sessions; and the proportion of absence by reason.
Parental Involvement in Children’s Education 2007
May 08
The main objective of the 2007 survey was to investigate the extent and variety of parents’ involvement in their children’s schooling. The survey found that almost one third of parents want more opportunities for invovlement in their child’s education. While involvement with homework and school-based activities show little change, parents are now more likely to take part in wider activities such as playing sport. In 2007 80% of parents stated they played sport with their children, increasing from 71% in 2004.
Working together: Listening to the Voices of Children and Young People
May 08
This guidance promotes the participation of children and young people in decision-making in school, local authority and related settings and provides advice on the principles and practice that support such involvement. The document addresses what is meant by participation, the benefits of participation, the principles of participation, putting these principles into action and provides a checklist to help ensure effective participation.
To view the guidance document click here
Childcare and Early Years Survey 2007: Parents’ Use, Views and Experiences
May 08
This survey report provides up-to-date information to assess some important policy initiatives in childcare and early years. Findings indicate that for all families the use of leisure or sport activities as childcare has remained constant at 5%. Leisure and sport activities were the main source of childcare for 9% of school-age children.