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Editor-in-chief
what I knew at the time, which
Mark Allen
by Emma Lee-Potter was graphic design, and came up
Editor
with a T-shirt design and a cam-
Pete Henshaw – 020 7501 6771
Knife crime, alcohol, drug abuse paign called Solve This Ongoing
pete.h@markallengroup.com
and self-harm – these are just Problem (STOP).”
Deputy editor
some of the concerns highlighted Working with production com-
David Taylor – 020 7501 6772 by youngsters in a new initiative pany Raw Television, Channel 4
david@markallengroup.com launched by Channel 4 and social and Bebo are now looking for
Reporter networking website Bebo. a 20th campaigner to join the
Chris Parr – 020 7501 6750 Battlefront is a nine-month project. The competition closes on
Illustrator
interactive project focusing on the October 1 and the winner will be
Christos Mais
endeavours of 20 teenagers as they announced on November 3.
do their bit to change the world by During the first stage of the
Editorial advisory panel
campaigning on issues they care competition, the public can vote
deeply about. on the Battlefront website for the
Geoff Brookes, Deputy
So far, 19 campaigners aged campaigns they like most, with the
headteacher, Cefri Hengoed
between 14 and 21 have been top 10 then going forward to be
Comprehensive School, Swansea.
chosen to take part. They include judged by the Battlefront panel.
Neill Morton, Headteacher,
Rachel Betty from Newcastle, Mentors will work with the
Portora Royal School, Enniskillen.
who wants to see the minimum 20 campaigners, helping them
Alex Wood, Headteacher, Wester wage raised for under-18s, Al to develop their projects through
Hailes Education Centre, Edinburgh. Henderson from Stockton-on- blogs, video diaries, discussion
Ray Tarleton, Headteacher, Tees, who wants to draw atten- forums and films.
South Dartmoor Community tion to the problem of cyber-bul- The youngsters’ campaigns
College, Ashburton, Devon. Hilary lying, and Alexander Rose, who Campaigner: Alexander Rose has spent two years battling to stop knife and gun crime will have a dedicated presence on
Moriarty, National director, has spent two years campaigning Bebo and a Channel 4 series start-
Boarding Schools’ Association.
against gun and knife crime in the issues around gang culture,” ise that they don’t have to join a carrying weapons. Friends and ing in December will highlight
Tina Stockman, Teacher of art and
London. Alexander explained. gang or carry weapons. family members have died due their achievements.
media studies, Harlaw Academy,
“I go round to schools and youth “To make them think about what “I want to raise awareness to this issue. I decided I just For more details, visit www.
Aberdeen. Dr Bernard Trafford,
clubs talking to young people about else is out there. To make them real- to educate young people to stop had to do something. I turned to battlefront.co.uk
headteacher, The Royal Grammar
School, Newcastle upon Tyne. Chris
Fenton, Assistant headteacher,
Students invited to
William Harrison School,
Governor vacancies rise
Lincolnshire. Paul Ainsworth,
Deputy headteacher, Belvoir High
School, Leicestershire. Mark Blois,
learn sign language
The number of vacancies for sec- more closely with local authorities tion inspectorate Estyn said:
Browne Jacobson.
ondary school governors in Wales’ to improve recruitment. “Governors are an essential part
secondary schools has more than “Teachers are worked incredibly of a school team along with the
doubled over the last 10 years. hard in the classroom and governors headteacher and staff. They play
Group sales manager
New figures show that there provide much needed support,” said a vital part in setting the vision,
Matt Govett – 020 7501 6735
are now 255 vacancies compared shadow education minister Andrew values and strategic framework
Commercial director
to 118 in 1998. Davies. “If nothing is done and num- for a school and reflect the views
Jon Benson – 020 7501 6767
There has, however, been an bers continue to fall then it will be and opinions of the communities
Sales executive
increase in the number of serving children and teachers who suffer.” that schools serve.
Calum Hogg – 020 7501 6706
governors in secondary schools, Dr Heledd Hayes, an educa- “Estyn does not issue specific
Classified sales
rising from 3,874 to 4,094. tion officer with NUT Cymru, said guidance on how schools can
Rachel McElhinney – 020 7501 6728 Over the last decade the recruitment of governors had been improve governor recruitment,
Subscription manager number of male governors has an ongoing problem. but would advise all schools
Chris Hoskins decreased while the proportion of “People are busy and don’t always to encourage parents and oth-
Circulation director female governors has risen. feel they have the time to spare to ers from all backgrounds to put
Sally Boettcher
The figures were revealed in a become a governor,” she stated. “It is themselves forward so that their
study by the Welsh Conservatives a job with responsibilities and some time and experience can help to
who have called on the Welsh of those duties are very serious.” shape the provision of education
Circulation department:
Assembly government to work A spokesman for educa- for their community.”
Tel: 01722 716997
Fax: 01722 716926
A Leicester-based charity has come and we have devised some great
email: subscriptions@
up with an inspiring idea to help activities which will enable the chil-
markallengroup.com
children understand the needs of dren to have a bit of fun and learn
Charity seeks pupils’ opinions
UK annual rates:
the deaf. sign language at the same time.
Action Deafness is inviting “Children are very quick to
Personal £45
pupils from secondary and primary pick up new things and once they A mental health charity is seeking an inpatient or have a family mem- “The group’s work on the Mental
Institutional (libraries,
schools across Leicestershire to take have learned the basics of sign lan- 15 young people to join its national ber with a mental health problem Health Act resulted in extraordi-
companies etc) £100
part in its new sign-language chal- guage we hope that some of them advisory panel amid concerns that are also encouraged to apply. nary change ensuring young people
Europe annual rates:
lenge. Two trained volunteers will may carry on with it in the future,” children do not have enough of a Research from YoungMinds under 18 who need to be admitted
Personal £92
be teaching the youngsters the basics she added. say about psychological wellbeing. suggests that although the vast to hospital will be treated in an envi-
Institutional £165
of sign language, as well as promot- Deafness affects approximately The YoungMinds “Very majority of professionals, parents ronment which meets their needs.”
Rest of world annual rates: ing greater awareness of deafness. one in seven of the British popula- Important Kids” panel, made up of and young people feel that children Claire, 13, a Very Important Kids
Personal £113 The initiative was launched tion and around 50,000 people in five to 25-year-olds, meets every should have a say in their own member, said: “Young people are
Institutional £209 last week at Leicester’s Dovelands the UK use British Sign Language six weeks in London. It aims to give mental health treatment, very few experts in knowing what they need
Primary School and the charity as their first or preferred language. opinion on the issues affecting chil- actually do. The charity says a lack to do to stay emotionally healthy. The
Printed by
hopes that many more schools will Action Deafness, which was found- dren and young people with mental of information is to blame. panel is an opportunity for young
Pensord Press, Wales
follow suit in the coming year. ed more than 100 years ago, offers health problems. Sarah Brennan, chief executive of people like me with experience of
“We are very excited by this a range of services to promote inde- The charity is hoping to recruit YoungMinds, said: “Very Important mental health problems to have our
Published by
new awareness and fund-raising pendence, equality and opportunity 15 new “Very Important Kids”, who Kids’ work is of huge significance, say, hear what other people think,
initiative,” said Louise Miller from among deaf people. should be passionate about making not only making changes to mental and use our own experience to help
Action Deafness. To find out more about Action changes to the future of children’s health services in local communities, other children and young people.”
“We have been very encouraged Deafness and its work, go to www. mental health services. Children but also working towards making For details, email healthy
by the interest schools have shown actiondeafness.org.uk who have had direct experience as changes to the law in this country. heads@youngminds.org.uk
St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Road
Herne Hill, London SE24 0PB
www.markallengroup.com
Nominations open for solar panel giveaway
Solar panel systems are to be fit- schools that want to be considered Peacehaven Community School efforts to become a more sustain- “Not only are they highly visible
ted to 60 schools under the Green for one of the 60 currently on in East Sussex became the 100th able educational environment.” symbols of the solutions available
MA Education Ltd is an independent
Energy for Schools programme, offer. school to receive solar panels under Patrick Allen, director at the to tackle the problem, they also gen-
publishing company also responsible
organised by The Co-operative. The panels would usually cost the scheme in July. Co-op, added: “We believe that erate electricity and help to reduce a
for education titles Early Years
Around 100 schools have schools £20,000 to erect, and gener- Headteacher Helen Cryer said: solar panels and wind turbines school’s carbon footprint.”
Educator and 5to7 Educator.
already received panel systems, ate enough power for 34,000 hours “The technology will demon- at a school make a huge climate Members of the Co-operative
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school in the UK in possession of the scheme, the government covers resourcing to our students, both teachers and parents, and they schools. Full details are available
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a green energy source by 2020. half of the costs while the Co-op in a scientific and ecological way. play a major part in the delivery at www.co-operative.coop/green
ISSN 1479 7704
Nominations are now open for funds the rest. This will help tremendously in our of the curriculum. energyforschools
 SecEd • September 11 2008
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