Cribsheet 17.06.11

A-grade inflation hits new heights, and primary schools forced towards academy status

Since when was an A-grade not an A? When it became an A*. And now, even that must step aside for the "A* with distinction", which is to be introduced by exam board AQA for its IGCSE in further maths. Brainy boffins will gain access to this elite club by "mastering the most demanding skills". TES editor Gerard Kelly is surely not alone in thinking:

Those pupils formerly known as excellent are now merely good, while those who are newly excellent cannot be sure that the new gold standard will never be superseded ... Is this mad carousel necessary?

Meanwhile, MPs investigating the state of science lessons have heard that exam pressures are causing a decline in practical experiments and field trips, because pupils are too focused on being taught answers rather than engaging in research. Good grades are one thing. Isn't learning another?

Education news from the Guardian

If you missed yesterday's speech by the education secretary, Patrick Wintour reports on how Gove's expanding academies plan has been overshadowed by the misallocation of funding by councils.

Here's more on Gove's plan to force the weakest primary schools to become academies, signalling a major shift in policy.

And back to science, here's an unofficially brilliant way to celebrate Universities Week: yes, it's I'm a Scientist Get Me Out of Here.

Education news from around the web

• Part-time policies that could benefit rural schools with low pupil numbers across the UK have been introduced at a Staffordshire primary school, a top education conference will hear today. The Independent reports on Hollinsclough Church of England primary school's flexible regime that welcomes home-schoolers and children of parents who favour a less rigid timetable. Head Janette Mountford-Lees, who has 11 full-time pupils and 10 part-timers, will tell educators that her objective is to provide what parents want.

• Pupils in the UK from disadvantaged backgrounds have difficulty in succeeding academically "against the odds", the BBC reports. In a league table published by the OECD comparing social mobility in international countries, the UK lags behind Mexico and Tunisia. The full OECD report is here.

• A key difference between high-performing Asian schooling and England's approach is a lack of streamlining in primaries, says Tim Oates, who is heading the national curriculum review. TES has the full story.

Warwick Mansell blogs on an influential study questionning whether academies improve school results:

What precisely have academies done to drive these results improvements? If they have greater independence, how have they used it and what has been the connection with results?
And once you look into that, as this blog and other research by the Civitas think tank has done, you start to have doubts over whether this policy is quite the panacea that is now widely being claimed.

• 10,000 five- and six-year olds took the phonic test trial this week, ahead of its national rollout next year.

• Here's something to get under your skin. The Student Room has posted a thread on "what subjects a well-educated person should know about". Opera, Shakespeare and classical mythology? A couple of languages? Fermat's last theorem? Harry Potter? Can well-educated be defined in this way, or are they barking up the wrong tree?

• Chris Husbands, director of the Institute of Education, gives his verdict on how teacher education must step up to a new era.

• Sec Ed has joined the digital ranks, and you can get it delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday, free of charge. This week's edition includes a story that Amnesty is urging teachers to help confront prejudice in the classroom, aided by a teacher training day on 7 July that will focus on dealing with the anniversary of 9/11. Booking details here.

On the Guardian's higher education network

Today's live chat sees vice-chancellors debating the state of higher education - and whether universities can weather the storm. Join the debate from 1pm.

Guardian Education Centre seminars for teachers

Reading for Pleasure

This half-day conference for primary school teachers will help you inspire students to read with pleasure and maintain the reading habit. Andy Stanton, author of the Mr Gum series, will be joined by Julia Eccleshare, Guardian children's books editor, and reading development experts.

Time: 1 July, 9.15-12.45.

Cost: £48, including refreshments and resources.

Insight into Journalism: investigative and features journalism

This seminar, part of our popular Insight into Journalism series, gives secondary school teachers and college tutors the chance to spend a day at the Guardian. You'll meet specialist journalists from the investigations team, find out from writers what makes a good features article and learn about commissioning, editing and interview techniques.

Time: 8 July, 9.15-4.30.

Cost: £72, including lunch and resources.

Education seminars from Guardian Professional

Distinctiveness and branding in higher education

Higher education institutions will struggle in the marketplace unless they stand out from competitors and make sense to stakeholders. The Guardian's half-day seminar in partnership with the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education will explore what it takes to develop and maintain a distinctive brand that attracts students, staff and funders. Participants will hear from experts, examine case studies and have the opportunity to network with peers.

28 June, London.

Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile

Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media.

20 September, London.