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Buckingham in the news
August 2006 update
International news
Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort appoints Arul new Director of Sales and Marketing. Alumna Audra Rohini Arul (PEL), has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at Le Meridien Nirwana Gold and Spa Resort in Bali. etravelblackboard.com, 4 August.
News breast cancer test 'reliable'. Professor Karol Sikora (Dean-elect, Medical School) comments on a new type of breast cancer test that could save women from unnecessary chemotherapy. He said, "It's a relatively new technique and the difficulty is that it needs validating." The Journal of Turkish Weekly, 21 August.
National news
People.
News of Professor Tom Cannon's appointment as Dean of the Buckingham Business School. Further Education Today, August 2006. Tom Cannon's appointment was also mentioned in the Times Higher Education Supplement on 25 August and on StudentTimes.org on 26 August.
Read our news article: "New dean of Business School"
Sums school up. News of a report by the Centre for Education and Employment Research (CEER) showing that schools are struggling to hire well qualified maths teachers as graduates choose different careers. Stoke on Trent Sentinel, 1 August. Similar stories also appeared in the Press Association and Western Daily Press on the same day, and in the Wolverhampton Express and Star, Sandwell Express and Star and Halifax Evening Courier on 2 August.
University of Buckingham.
In this online profile, Buckingham is noted as pioneering the 2-year degree and the excellent student:staff ratio, amongst other things, is mentioned. The Independent, 1 August.
Read the University's profile on The Independent website (external link)
Any Questions, John Clare.
In answer to the question, "which are the best universities for training?" John Clare mentions the teacher training league table published by CEER at the University of Buckingham. Daily Telegraph, 2 August.
Read our news article: "Teacher training 2006"
Could starting schools at seven be a success? In an article that looks at the increasing of the school age to seven years old, Professor Alan Smithers comments, "There is a lot to be said for ensuring all children are ready to benefit from education."
Birmingham Post, 3 August.
A similar article appeared in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner on the same day and in the Halifax Evening Courier on 4 August.
Over 15% of trainee teachers founder.
According to the league table published by CEER at Buckingham, around 15% of trainee secondary school teachers failed to qualify. Times Higher Education Supplement, 4 August.
A similar article also appeared in the Times Educational Supplement on the same day.
The Venetian side of Disraeli. Dr Jane Ridley's review of William Kuhn, The Politics of Pleasure: A Portrait of Benjamin Disraeli. The Spectator, 4 August.
Graduates don't want to be maths teachers.
News that many good graduates are choosing non-teaching careers, leading to a lack of well-qualified maths teachers. Professor Alan Smithers comments that this is likely to have a knock-on effect as children currently in education may be "taught by expert, enthusiastic teachers in the humanities and probably less expert teachers in maths, and therefore they will probably find themselves be more attracted to the arts side than the science side." Cumberland News, 4 August.
A similar article also appeared in the Exeter Express and Echo, 5 August.
University drop-out rate second lowest.
Research by Professor Alan Smithers shows that primary school trainee teachers at the University of Northampton are far more likely to make it into the classroom than drop out. Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 5 August. The same research also appeared in The Times on 8 August.
Trust me, I'm an acetyl-transferase. How to find virtue in an enzyme.
An article by Dr Terence Kealey which looks at the formation of RNA and the behaviour of acetyl-transferase, showing how similar principles of game theory underpin cooperation at both a molecular and social level. The Times, 7 August.
And if you still don't believe exams have got any easier! Written by Professor Chris Woodhead, this article compares today's GCSE exam papers with older O-level papers. It shows that questions on the older O-level papers are much more difficult than today's exams.Daily Mail, 9 August.
Students shun the appliance of science.
A report by CEER showed that there was a drop in pupils choosing to take physics and chemistry in favour of newer 'softer' subjects such as PE, sociology and media studies. Evening Standard, 10 August.
A similar article appeared in the Times Educational Supplement and on gulf-times.com on 11 August, in the Birmingham Evening Post and Public Finance on 18 August and in The Economist on 19 August, following the publishing of the year's A-level results.
Read our news article: "Physics in terminal decline?"
Private school may open classes to girls for the first time in 182-year history.
Research into the success of single-sex schools, conducted by CEER, is mentioned in this article about the Edinburgh Academy. The Scotsman, 10 August.
Read our news article: "Single-sex or co-ed?"
Great fall-out over one word.
This article looks at the use by the Government of the words aptitude and ability. Many MPs are opposed to selection by ability in schools, so those wishing selection to continue have started to refer to it as aptitude, hoping it will be better received. Professor Alan Smithers comments that the Government has come up with a "purely political distinction between ability and aptitude, which really has no meaning in reality".
Times Education Supplement, 11 August.
Does it really matter if the number of students studying physics is falling? Research published by CEER shows there is a notable decline in the number of students studying physics, and asks whether this is a bad thing.The Independent, 11 August.
Articles based around this research also appeared in Metro Digest; The Guardian; Daily Telegraph; Financial Times; Daily Express; Daily Mail; Country Evening Telegraph; Walsall West Mid-Express; Reading Evening Post; Halifax Evening Courier; Sunderland Echo; North West Evening Mail; Times Higher Education Supplement; Oxford Mail; Sheffield Star; Barnsley Star; Doncaster Star; Manchester Evening News; Nuneaton Evening Telegraph; Birmingham Post; Colchester Evening Gazette; Wrexham Evening Leader; Derby Evening Telegraph; Kettering Evening Telegraph; Liverpool Daily Post; Romford Recorder; Western Mail; Western Morning News; Carlisle News and Star; Norwich Evening News; South Shields Gazette; Birmingham Express and Star; Huddersfield Daily Examiner; BBC News and Gulf Times on the same day and in the Western Mail on 23 August.
Put the brightest forward for talent academy, schools told.
News that schools have been told they must put their brightest students forward to join an academy for gifted children. Professor Chris Woodhead commented that more grammar schools would ensure gifted children prospered. Daily Mail, 12 August.
The English degenerate.
In this article by Margaret Drabble, which looks at the works of John Cowper Powys, Professor Chris Woodhead is mentioned as presenting a "remarkable paper to the Powys Society describing how he had been influenced as a schoolboy by the chance purchase of a Penguin Classic of Wolf Solent".The Guardian, 12 August.
A-levels have not got easier, says exam chief. Professor Alan Smithers comments on claims by Ellie Johnson Searle, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications, that exams have not got easier. He said, "The changes in structure of exams has made it easier to get higher marks. We saw this very clearly in the leap of 4.5 per cent in the pass rate of 2002." Sunday Telegraph, 13 August. A similar article appeared in the Sunday Express and The Observer on the same day, and in the Daily Mail on 14 August and The Guardian on 15 August.
CBI in science warning over 'dire' school leavers.
News that the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that the poor quality of school leavers is putting science-based industries at risk. Research by CEER at Buckingham, showing the decline of physics in schools and universities, was mentioned as part of the article. Financial Times, 14 August.
The research also appeared in The Guardian on the same day, spiked-online.com on 15 August, ScienceScope on 18 August and The Tablet on 26 August.
The Empress loved mauve.
This article, by Dr Terence Kealey, looks at patents and uses William Perkin's discovery of artificial dyes, more specifically the colour mauve, as an example of how patents can damage technological and therefore economic growth. The Times, 14 August.
University leading the way for teacher training passes. The league table compiled by CEER detailing the performance of teacher training courses shows the University of Chester has one of the lowest rates of students who fail to graduate. Chester Evening Leader, 14 August. A similar article appeared in the Chester and District Standard on 17 August and in the Chester Chronicle on 18 August.
Teachers fail the test. This article looks at figures showing that one fifth of teachers failed basic literacy and numeracy tests. Professor Chris Woodhead comments, "It's extremely worrying if a teacher can't spell and add up because children are never going to learn." Professor Alan Smithers said, "It's very concerning that so many would-be teachers can't seem to handle words and numbers properly after 13 years in school education, three years on their degree and a year teacher training." Daily Mail, 15 August.
Universities under pressure to cut tuition fees and fill places.
Professor Alan Smithers is quoted in an article, which looks at the pressure put on universities to reach targets for student numbers in order to receive their full funding from HEFCE. He says, "We are moving in the direction of a market and there are not going to be enough UK-domiciled students to fill their places this year."
The Times, 17 August.
Results add to pressure for reform of A-levels.
News that pressure is growing on ministers to introduce an A* grade at A-level due to the increase in students getting grade A. Professor Smithers commented, "An A* grade would help universities to choose the really talented."
The Independent, 17 August.
Similar articles appeared in the Daily Mail; The Times; The Guardian; Western Mail and Yorkshire Post on 18 August.
A-levels and beyond. An article written by Professor Smithers, seeking to reassure students who didn't do as well as they hoped in their A-levels. He explains that the competition for good results is greater than years ago and that students should not feel their results are devalued as the annual debate on whether the exams have got easier hots up. Daily Telegraph, 17 August.
Doubt over world ranking. Government research showed that the standards of English, maths and science are not improving over time. Professor Smithers is quoted, "This study calls into question the Government's claims that there have been continuous improvements in our education system under its tutelage." Times Educational Supplement, 18 August.
Labour's student ambitions falter. An article about statistics which show Labour's target of getting half of all England's 18-30 year olds into higher education is looking highly unlikely. Professor Smithers comments, "I thought that students were trying to get in before the new fee arrangement, so to see that participation rates have gone down is remarkable." Times Higher Education Supplement, 18 August.
Universities give discount deals for brightest pupils. Professor Smithers comments on news that incentives are being given by universities to encourage prospective students to study at particular universities. Professor Smithers said, "This is fee-discounting by the back door." Sunday Times, 20 August. A similar article appeared in The Guardian on 19 August.
Calls to scrap coursework after classes all write same A-level essay.
News that exam board EdExcel has found teachers have been setting the same coursework question for every pupil and writing a "virtually tailor-made essay for the whole class". Professor Smithers said, "Coursework is not a fair way to distinguish between candidates because they can get so much help from teachers, parents and the Internet." Sunday Telegraph, 20 August.
GCSE results "will fuel new questions over standards".
Professor Smithers predicts that the GCSE pass rate will rise by two per cent to 67%. Evening Standard, 21 August.
A similar article appeared in the same publication on 23 August, and in the Yorkshire Post on 24 August.
Anger at bowel cancer drug ruling. News that charities are criticising a proposal to block the routine NHS use of two drugs for advanced bowel cancer due to the high costs involved. Professor Karol Sikora is quoted, "These drugs are expensive but they are effective."
BBC News, 21 August.
A similar article appeared in the Daily Telegraph and on StaffNurse.com on 22 August.
School starting age is under the spotlight.
The issue about children starting school later was raised by Barry Sheerman MP, and Professor Alan Smithers commented that such changes would involve "some upheaval" but that the ideas are worth exploring. East Anglian Daily Times, 22 August.
Notebook.
This small piece mentions the intention of Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College to change its name to something more concise. Ideas so far have included the University of Buckinghamshire which, the author says, is likely to be confused with the University of Buckingham.The Guardian, 22 August.
University of Buckingham. This is a short article about Buckingham and mentions our 2-year degrees; starting points throughout the year; the range of subjects on offer; our QAA rating; student:staff ratio and much more. Isle of Man Examiner, 22 August.
Courses deliver but feedback falls short.
News that Buckingham has come top, according to the THES scoring, of the National Student Survey 2006.Times Higher Education Supplement, 25 August.
Articles about the student survey also appeared in the Dundee Evening Telegraph on 23 August, The Guardian on 24 August and the Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser on 5 August.
Read our news article: Buckingham's success in National Student Survey
Diploma fears and pupils shun vocational exams. The number of pupils opting for vocational A-levels is falling. Professor Alan Smithers that these figures show that vocational education in schools is "largely a fiction". Times Educational Supplement, 25 August.
A number of articles appeared on 25 August following the publishing of the 2006 GCSE results. Professor Smithers was quoted in many of them.
Peep's diary.
A small piece which mentions that Dr Terence Kealey hosts the Economist Club at Buckingham every Monday evening.Times Higher Education Supplement, 25 August.
Head for business, heart for academe.
This article asks, "What makes a good vice-chancellor?" Dr Terence Kealey answers, "Universities should be run solely by academics. The best universities in the world are those of the American Ivy League, and they are run by academics. The connection is not hard to make."
Times Higher Education Supplement, 25 August.
Private cancer centres to aid NHS.
Professor Karol Sikora is quoted in this article which looks at the provision of private cancer centres which will be set up to treat
patients under the NHS. Professor Sikora, a founding member of CancerPartners UK, the company which will run these centres with funding from a Japanese bank, said, "The NHS cancer plan has invested huge amounts of money and there have been major improvements but at a huge cost."
The Times, 27 August.
Single-sex education - good or bad? This short article looks at single-sex education and mentions Professor Alan Smithers's research into its effectiveness in comparison to mixed schooling. Chester Chronicle, 30 August.
The research also appeared in the Women's Feature Service on 18 August.
Radio, television and other appearances
Professor Tom Cannon
- 1 August: Sky News, Sky Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales - Wembley Football Stadium
- 3 August: Sky Sports - sports finance
- 14 August: BBC Radio 5 Live, Talk Sport, BBC Radio London, Ulster and Birmingham - Aston Villa
- 10 August: BBC Radio 5 Live - decline in physics
- 11 August: BBC Radio 4 Today, Three Counties Radio, Radio 5 Live, Radio 4 News - decline in physics
- 14 August: BBC Radio 4 You and Yours - marketing universities
- 24 August: BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine Show - GCSE results
- 24 August: BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast - GCSE results
- 24 August: BBC Radio Belfast - single sex education
- 25 August: Colourful Radio - modern languages in schools
- 18 August: BBC London Evening News - multiculturalism
- 22 August: BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour - educational stress among pupils
- 15 August: BBC Radio 4 Today - Exam standards
- 23 August: American Public Radio - the export of British television series to America
Local news
Celebration. News that the exhibition at The Old Gaol celebrating the University's 30th anniversary is still open to the public. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Brackley & Towcester Advertiser, 11 August.
Unlocking the secrets.
Publicity for the lecture by Oonagh Kennedy on the Luton Hoo walled garden. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Brackley & Towcester Advertiser, 11 August.
Read our news article: Summer lectures 2006
Duck racing and awards at the University.
A piece about the Duck Race and long term service award presented to Dr Jill Hill on 9 August. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, 18 August.
Read our news article: Plastic ducks and silver swans
Talk offers a taste of Italy. News of Dr Joachim Strupp's public lecture to be held on 29 August entitled The Flower of Them All: Villa Lante at Bagnaia. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Bicester Review, 18 August and 25 August.
Students' support for town university. News that Buckingham came top, in the THES, in the National Student Survey 2006. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Bicester Review, 25 August.
Fun for all at The Film Place. Information to let townspeople know that the cinema will open its doors after the summer break. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Bicester Review, 25 August.
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