Latest news with #pupils
BBC News
9 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Leamington Spa school praised as 'remarkable and happy' by Ofsted
A school described by inspectors as "remarkable and happy" has been rated outstanding by at Briar Hill Infant School in Whitnash, Leamington Spa, were kind, respectful and "flourish as a family", which gives them a sense of belonging, inspectors said after a visit in report said staff had high ambitions for all pupils that were realised, and strong relationships between staff and children formed the foundations of the school, where children loved to give back to the had included visits to a care home to play board games with residents, fundraising for charities, and forging strong links with a school in Africa. Pupils at the primary school in Coppice Road, which takes children aged from four to seven, thrived academically, socially and emotionally, the report said."Staff invest time to get to know each child and they use this insight to nurture and meet their needs," it school had a "sharp focus" on teaching pupils to read, with youngsters learning as soon as they entered the reception class, and all the children enjoyed learning and behaved impeccably during lessons, inspectors noted how staff had actively responded to pupils' views and, because of their interest in archery and dance-based fitness, the school now had popular extra-curricular clubs."All of this provides pupils with positive experiences of this infant school where they make lasting memories," the report said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Bar Council sets RM1,350 minimum wage for pupils in chambers
In a survey, the Bar Council found that 83% of pupils were already receiving at least RM1,000 a month, with the low-pay phenomenon prevalent among firms outside the Klang Valley. PETALING JAYA : The Bar Council has set the national minimum wage for pupils in chambers at RM1,350, with the new rate becoming mandatory for law firms in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya beginning April next year. Firms in other states will be allowed to reach the prescribed minimum sum in phases, beginning with a baseline pay of RM1,000. However, they must raise salaries to at least RM1,200 by 2027, before aligning with the national minimum in 2028. The council acknowledged that many legal firms, particularly in major urban centres, already pay more than RM1,350, but said it was obliged to set a minimum pay to ensure that pupils do not fall below the poverty line. The new rates are based on a recommended remuneration framework developed by EconWorks, an economic advisory firm engaged by the Malaysian Bar. 'The rate of minimum remuneration is subject to periodic review. Any adjustment will be announced by the Bar at least 12 months before implementation of the new rate. 'Any increase in the rate should be guided by the average annual increase of the median monthly salary in Malaysia,' the council said in a circular to members issued this week. In its key findings from the survey, EconWorks said 83% of pupils were already receiving at least RM1,000 a month with the low-pay phenomenon prevalent among firms outside the Klang Valley. The survey found that lower wages were more prevalent among smaller law firms. It said most pupils are based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, where remuneration typically exceeds the minimum income required to meet basic living needs, with some firms paying as high as RM2,500. The median pupil pay in Johor and Penang was found to be RM1,500. 'In other states, many pupils are still paid below the poverty line income threshold of RM1,000. Law firms in Terengganu and Kelantan pay the lowest, at RM500,' it said, adding that 17% of pupils currently receive under RM1,000 a month.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Pupils taking cocaine, ketamine and spice at school, teachers warn
Teachers are aware of pupils using drugs such as cocaine, ketamine and spice, including on school premises, a new survey has found. Alcohol, nicotine pouches and nitrous oxide are also all being consumed within schools by pupils, according to the survey of 4,000 teachers – with access to gambling apps and websites also a problem in some schools. This use of drugs, alcohol and gambling apps is contributing to a rise in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour in schools, warned the NASUWT teachers' union, which carried out the survey – while urging greater government action to help tackle the issue. Nearly one in five teachers are aware of pupils smoking cannabis on school grounds, the survey found, rising to 57 per cent outside of school. Close to one in 10 teachers – mostly working in schools, post-16 and further education settings – were concerned about pupils smoking the synthetic cannabinoid spice while on the premises, rising to 24 per cent outside of school. And the survey found 5 per cent were aware of pupils using 'other drugs' – most commonly cocaine and ketamine – on school grounds, with 16 per cent of teachers expressing concerns about their students doing so outside of school. Twenty-four per cent were concerned about their students using gambling apps, including 6 per cent while at school. 'Not only are many of these activities illegal or prohibited for young people aged under 18, they are contributing to the rise we are seeing in disruptive, violent and abusive behaviour in schools,' said Matt Wrack, acting chief of the NASUWT. 'NASUWT teachers tell us that along with increased tiredness and lack of focus and interest in learning, they are causing irritability, mood swings and erratic behaviour among the pupils they teach. 'This is clearly not an issue that schools can solve alone, we need greater action from government and other expert services to help deter young people from using or accessing illegal or prohibited substances or activities and causing harm to themselves or others.' The union is calling for partnership approaches to be established, involving schools, health, police, youth justice services and other stakeholders, to help tackle the use of harmful substances and activities by young people. It is also urging ministers to commit to ensuring every school across England has access to a school-based counsellor, while conducting further research into how children are being introduced and drawn to online gambling. And with 71 per cent of teachers expressing concern about children excessively consuming energy drinks, the union is also calling for the government to implement its plans to ban the sale of drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to under-16s. The union also found that more than half of teachers observed an increase in vaping among pupils over the past year, amid concerns that a ban on disposable vapes that came into force this month could push more young people to use unregulated and potentially dangerous products. Research at the University of Bath last year also found that children may be unwittingly smoking vapes spiked with spice, with 16.6 per cent of nearly 600 vapes confiscated in 38 schools across England being found to contain the synthetic drug.
News24
3 days ago
- General
- News24
KZN reschedules mid-year exams amid financial struggles
Sadtu in KwaZulu-Natal says it is against Grade 10 to 12 pupils in underperforming schools writing common tests. Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Chatsworth House: Primary school pupils takeover for the day
Chatsworth House is the large stately home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The historic house is packed with rare furniture, books and art and welcomes over 600,000 visitors each year. Lots of staff work at the house selling tickets, giving guided tours, serving food and working on the farm. However this week, things were a little bit different as all the jobs at Chatsworth were taken on by 99 pupils from a primary school. Pupils took over across the house and gardens, getting stuck in on a range of jobs that are usually done by adults at the site. Over in the gardens year five pupils got their hands dirty planting flowers and watering the who is 10, was one of the pupils working outside, she said: "It's really fun because I get to do all the jobs people at Chatsworth get to do." While year five were busy with the gardens, other year groups were on the door scanning visitors' tickets and handing out was a task many of the children said was there favourite job of the 9, said the day spent working at Chatsworth was said: "I loved handing out the pamphlets and telling people to have a marvellous day." Meanwhile, for some there was a smellier job over at the farm on the young volunteers took on roles helping to look after the animals, from brushing the horses, to feeding the goats. What a busy day.
