Shakespeare nation
The Young Shakespeare Nation scheme is aiming to stage all of the Bard’s plays between now and 2019. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts want to engage students via free performances streamed into classrooms, online resources, and live theatre. There will also be online teachers’ resources, CPD and a new School Awards. The scheme kicks off on November 15 when Richard II starring David Tennant will be streamed live into classrooms. In February, the production The Taming of the Shrew will tour schools. Visit: www.rsc.org.uk/education/
Uniform guidance
New government guidance has been published for schools looking to “develop or change” their uniform policy. The new document places greater emphasis on securing value for money for parents around school uniforms. It advises against using single supplier contracts and says schools should keep compulsory branded items to a minimum. Parents should also be able to buy items cheaply in supermarkets or other “good value shops”. Visit: www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/advice/f0014144/schooluniform
Digital Makers
Budding digital creators can attend workshops and events across the UK to help them get involved in creating their own technologies. Taking place this month, the Young Digital Makers events are being organised in Manchester, Oxford, London, Stirling and Glasgow. It is part of the campaign Make Things Do Stuff, being led by Nesta, the Nominet Trust and Mozilla. The campaign website also has a host of digital tools, tips and links to projects that students can get involved in. Visit: www.MakeThingsDoStuff.co.uk
University boost
A total of 445,820 UK and EU students have been accepted onto university courses for 2013/14, a rise of 37,350 since last year according to UCAS. The figures, collated four weeks after A level results day, are still slightly down (four per cent) on 2011, the year before tuition fees came in. Institutions in England have accepted 375,120 students (up 34,580), while 10,650 are studying in Northern Ireland (up 960), 37,390 in Scotland (up 690), and 22,660 in Wales (up 1,120).
1,000 words
A campaign is promoting the benefits of learning 1,000 words in a foreign language. The 1,000 Words scheme is being run by Speak to the Future, a coalition of organisations committed to improving our capability in languages and promoting their economic and cultural importance. Funded by the British Academy and Routes into Languages, it is seeking support from schools, employers and others. It is backed by the British Council. Visit: www.speaktothefuture.org