Recruitment ‘mismatch’ highlighted. Young people and employers are often on “completely different planets” over recruitment, which could be fuelling high levels of youth unemployment, a new study has found.

There was a “clear mismatch” between employers’ expectations of young people and of youngsters’ understanding of what is expected of them, said the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The research found that many employers were seeking experienced staff for junior posts, creating a “vicious cycle” for young jobseekers looking to enter the world of work.

Young people were having their confidence “crushed” by a lack of response to job applications, although some managers complained they were being overwhelmed by the large number of applicants.

The report added that poor careers advice in schools and a lack of support for those seeking work for the first time leaves many youngsters with little understanding of the world of work.

In an article by AOL, Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, said: “When it comes to recruitment it can feel as though young people and employers are on completely different planets. Too many young people are struggling to find their first job, whereas many employers are finding it difficult to get the skills they need.

“This mismatch needs to be addressed, not only to reduce youth unemployment and the long-term impact it can have on young people, but also to ensure UK businesses are equipped with the right talent for the future.”

Connex announces open day in Preston to take place on 29th May 2013 at Bizspace, Marsh Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8UQ.

All Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT’s) and Teaching Assistants (TA’s) should attend this event as it will offer support, advice and help to build relationships with schools across the Preston and Lancashire area.

An initiative put together by Ashleigh Scott (SEN specialist consultant) and Hanna Ghariani (Primary consultant) at Connex Education will be an up-beat and motivating day, informing people on ways to kick start their teaching career.

Ashleigh Scott said,

“Our agency is noted for supporting and helping kick start teaching careers across the whole of the North west, and we have a strong holding in the Preston and Lancashire area.”

Hanna added,

“We find that NQT’s don’t realise that we can boost their career by offering masses of experience at the beginning of their education career. We recruit NQT’s and TA’s every year and find they are delighted with the work they obtain.”

Both Ashleigh and Hanna have ensured that the day will be light and informal but very informative and helpful – NQT’s and TA’s can even register with Connex on the day by simply brining their CV to the event.

For more information contact:

Ashleigh Scott – a.scott@connex-education.com
Hanna Ghariani – h.ghariana@connex-education.com

Or telephone them on 01772 204 881

1,001 new Leeds school places created as birth rates soar. Up to 1,001 new primary school places are to be created in Leeds after senior councillors approved the latest in a raft of expansion measures to deal with increasing demand amid rising birth rates, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports.

Leeds City Council’s executive board has rubber stamped the creation of 686 primary places, with a pledge to fast-track further proposals to deal with increasing “sufficiency issues” triggered by “demographic growth”.

The latest expansion plans approved this week are for Allerton Bywater, Asquith, Morley St Francis Catholic, East Ardsley and Robin Hood primary schools.

The panel also approved the start of a consultation process regarding the creation of 315 more places at Pudsey Primrose Hill, Guiseley Infant and St Oswald’s C of E schools.

The five approved expansions would see admission numbers start to go up from September 2014.

Leeds City Council has already approved more than 900 new reception places since 2009.

A report presented to the executive board said the pace of the expansions programme was “accelerating “ and further proposals would continue to be brought before senior councillors to increase provision across the city.

The report added: “These proposals form part of the on-going work to address capacity and sufficiency, which includes provision for primary and secondary school places, early years as well as specialist provision.

A plan to lower the age range at Hollybush Primary from 5-11 to 3-11 has also been given the green light.

Earlier this year, the National Audit Office found that by September 2014, England will need an extra 240,000 primary school places to keep up with rising birth rates. The spending watchdog said one in five primary schools in England was full or near capacity and there were signs of “real strain” on places. Leeds has been named as a particular hotpot area.

The demand for places has been steadily rising, driven by the birth rate rising more quickly than at any time since the 1950s. Ministers insist 80,000 extra places have been created and demand will be met.

Kids’ charity backed by Obama to launch in Birmingham. A charity which supports disadvantaged kids and is backed by US President Barack Obama has revealed plans to launch in Birmingham.

City Year recruits 18 to 25-year-olds to mentor deprived pupils at schools in a bid to improve behaviour.

President Obama and education secretary Michael Gove are huge supporters of the charity, which is already a success in the USA and London.

And from September, City Year will be serving at Golden Hillock School, Sparkhill, and Parkfield Community School, Saltley, and up to three others.

Fifty students from the city’s universities and colleges will be recruited to support 4,000 children. Around 400 of the most vulnerable will receive intensive mentoring support.

The young people who volunteer, known as corps members, wear distinctive red jackets. They support teachers with all aspects of school life, from running breakfast and after-school activities, supervising break-times and providing classroom assistance to teachers.

In return, they benefit from a year-long leadership development programme designed to enhance their employability skills.

In an article by the Birmingham Mail, City Year Chief Executive, Sophie Livingstone, said: “We are thrilled to announce plans to expand City Year to Birmingham and very excited at the prospect of recruiting local young people to support disadvantaged children in the city.”

President Obama has been pictured wearing one of the red jackets and said of the scheme: “City Year shows that there’s a huge hunger on the part of young people to get involved and to get engaged.”

Hardeep Saini, headteacher at Golden Hillock School, said: “Many of our pupils come from very challenging family backgrounds, so the extra support of positive role models and mentors that are close in age to our students will be a great help to them and to our teachers.”

Stoke City Council saves Stanley Head Outdoor Education Centre. The centre, which works with both disabled and disengaged children, has been struggling financially after the council ploughed £1.2 million in to its future.

Plans to sell the centre in Stanley had been under discussion for two years.

But using social media and marketing in schools, they have secured £286,000 in additional bookings.

Now the council has agreed to keep it open, with a warning from Council leader Mohammed Pervez that groups need to ”use it or lose it”.

“My main concern is that I don’t want to revisit this again,” he said at a Cabinet meeting.

Some councillors suggested the centre should extend its client base to ‘team building’ days to secure itself financially.

Cllr Pervez added: “The staff should be given more freedom to be innovative.”

“We can’t continue to support facilities making a loss. I take into account the educational benefits but we need to continue our marketing strategy to ensure this is run in a cost effective way.”

The demand for the centre to remain open comes from school users.

In an article by Staffs Live, Sharon May, from Packmoor Primary School, said: “The opportunities offered at Stanley Head can be more effective than classroom-based learning in developing the whole child.”

Cllr Gwen Hassall added: “We may not have turned it around yet but we’re on our way and the staff deserve congratulating, but we can’t take our eye off the ball.”

Sheffield pupils are code breakers in an Enigma master class. World War Two ‘Enigma’ machines might have frustrated British intelligence for years, but it was no match for pupils at King Edward VII School in Broomhill.

During a day-long master class, the aspiring spies got to grips with the historic piece of equipment which was used by the German military to keep their communications secret.

Mathematician Dr Grime brought a genuine Enigma device to the school to celebrate the launch of its computing GCSE.

The curriculum already offers a qualification in IT, but the new subject will teach children more about programming and software to arm them with the right skills for the digital age.

Teacher Samira Hussain, curriculum leader for computing, was keen to draw parallels between what makes computers of today work and the machines which kept cryptanalyst Alan Turing and his team of British code breakers at Bletchley Park busy.

She told the Telegraph: “It was the official launch of our GCSE, which we start teaching in September, and I wanted to show its historical context and how it links with the computing of today.

“I contacted Cambridge and they agreed to bring the machine along. It is the only one which still tours in the UK.

“The cracking of these machines helped to shorten the war – it was a massively important operation.

“It brought maths and history to life. The children learned about the implications it had and how the logic and methods used still apply to computing.”

Around 120 pupils from Year 8 to Year 13 took part in a lesson on the Enigma machines before having a go at inventing and cracking codes themselves.

After the pupils enjoyed their lesson from Dr Grime, the school opened its doors for an evening event allowing members of the public to view the Enigma device.

More than 100 members of the community, including a number of Bletchley Park veterans now living in South Yorkshire, turned out and some travelled from Mansfield to see it. The school even received a letter from the town of Sheffield in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA, about the day.

Coventry youngsters get ready for summer festival of books. More than 25 city schools have signed up to host events for the city’s second annual Literally Book Festival next month.

The family festival, which runs from June 10 to 15, specialises in showcasing writing for children.
Already more than 50 authors and illustrators have signed up to take part in festival events.

Twenty-five primary and secondary schools have also signed up to host events and become official Friends of the Festival by making a £50 donation to funds.

Secondary schools already involved are Sidney Stringer, Foxford, Finham and President Kennedy.

Primary schools include St Osburg, Sacred Heart, Stivichall and Courthouse Green. Sherbourne Fields special school and the city’s two private secondary schools, Bablake and King Henry VIII, are also taking part, for the first time.

But organisers say there is room for more, and they have extended the invitation to take part to schools outside the city.

Joy Court, Learning Resources Manager for the Schools Library Service in Coventry, told the Telegraph: “So many schools have been keen to take part that it’s become quite a challenge to find an event suitable for everyone.

“Fortunately there’s also been an upsurge in interest in the festival from publishers and writers. We’ll be announcing some names shortly.”

The book festival was launched last year by a group of Coventry head teachers.

Its centrepiece is the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards, now in their seventh year.

Connex are supporting National Supply Teacher Week starting 17th June in celebration of all the hard work and dedication that supply teachers offer to the education sector across the country.

As a mark of their commitment and as a reward up for grabs, Connex are giving away a Kindle Fire HD 32G in a Facebook competition that will run throughout the week, starting 17th June.

As well as supporting the amazing work of supply teachers during National Supply Teacher week, Connex continuously support the teaching profession throughout the year, and this year are the main sponsors for the prestigious Educate Awards, due to take place in Liverpool. Mark Beedles Managing Director of Connex said;

“We are not  one of the big corporate agencies, but we are specialists in education and passionate about the hard work supply teacher do, so our remit is to the education sector throughout the year”

Talking about National Supply Teacher week in June, Mark continued

“This is the inaugural launch of National Supply Teacher week and we wanted to support this event by saying thanks and offering a reward for those who participate and help us raise awareness of the great contribution supply makes to the education sector.”

To have the opportunity to win this prize, simply follow the instructions below.

University of Leicester gets the thumbs up as the first ranking of universities has revealed a significant rise for the University of Leicester

The Complete University Guide published on 29^th April 2013 shows that Leicester has moved up four places to 16^th out of 132 institutions.

The university were higher than Birmingham, Edinburgh and King’s College London.

Leicester is currently ranked 17^th by the rival Times Good University Guide and 19^th by the Guardian University Guide – both of which are due to publish over the coming weeks.

Deputy Registrar Richard Taylor said:

“Strong employment data, rising entrance grades and investment in student & academic services have all helped propel Leicester upwards in this table. With over 130 universities in the country it’s pleasing to see Leicester consistently rank amongst the very best.”

Source: 24dash.com

Charity helps confidence grow and improve literacy skills among Bradford students. Last year, one in six children left primary school in Bradford unable to read to the required standard.

With literacy skills linked to increased confidence and enhanced educational and employment prospects, poor reading levels can have a damaging effect on a child’s life.

According to children’s literacy charity Beanstalk, in July 2012, 1,188 children left school in Bradford with below standard abilities in reading.

“It is a tragedy that after seven years of primary education, as many as one in six children leaving primary school are unable to read to the required standard,” chief executive Sue Porto told the Telegraph and Argus.

“The consequences of this in later life can be horrendous, with 60 per cent of the prison population having difficulty with basic literacy.”

Beanstalk places volunteer readers in primary schools, working with children on a one-to-one basis over a year. Reading helpers build a relationship with the children they’re assigned to, helping them to overcome struggles with reading and confidence.

The charity, which has the Duchess of Cornwall as its patron, currently supports 25 primary schools in the Bradford district and is seeking more volunteers.

“We recruit, train and support people who volunteer twice a week in primary schools,” said volunteer support worker Helen Wright.

“We have more than 100 volunteers in Bradford and Leeds, but we’re keen to increase numbers. We’ve found the scheme works better if volunteers live in the same area as the school.”

Each reading helper is assigned to three children and remains with them throughout the year.

“This builds trust and friendship,” Helen told the Telegraph and Argus. “Volunteers provide one-to-one attention which many children don’t get at home. When learning to read, the more practise children have, the quicker they get on, but some children don’t have the opportunity to read at home. It could be that there’s no English speaker, they’re from a large, busy family, or nobody at home reads books.

“Literacy development depends largely on access to books, but not all children have books at home. Children mimic activity – if they grow up with books around them or see adults reading, they’re more likely to read themselves.”

Reading volunteers commit to a 90-minute session twice a week for a minimum of a year. “We don’t ask for qualifications, they don’t need to be experts or have taught in schools. We want people who are patient and encouraging, good listeners, understand the importance of literacy, are able to work at a child’s pace and have the confidence to work with a range of ages, from a five to 11 years old,” says Helen.

Reading helpers come from all walks of life. Some are parents, others volunteer around work commitments. Some are looking to change careers, while others are retired and want to give something back.

“Many parents and grandparents are used to reading with children, it’s a role they’re familiar with, but not all our volunteers have children,” says Helen.

Potential reading helpers attend a two-day training programme designed to equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to run three individual 30-minute sessions in school. The volunteers are supplied with books and games which can be changed throughout the year to keep the children stimulated.