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Branwen Jeffreys Published 11 December 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The chief inspector of schools has never been afraid of controversy, and with this latest intervention against unregistered schools he is firmly stepping into the debate about how and where people can choose to educate their children. It is perfectly legal to choose to educate your children at home, and if you do make that choice there is no obligation to follow a particular curriculum. It is also perfectly legal to run a part-time tuition centre to offer additional teaching and support to children who are home-educated. And if your part-time education centre teaches children for fewer than 20 hours a week there are remarkably few obligations. You don't have to register with the authorities or be open to inspection, unlike a private fee-paying school. This has created a grey … [Read more...] about Ofsted steps into debate over parents’ right to choose education

Duke of Kent Prince Edward visited the UK's largest display of Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s historic lifeboats at Chatham historic dockyard, 26 years after opening the original collection in 1996. The Buckingham Palace shared photos of the Duke’s visit on its official Twitter handle on Wednesday. The Duke has been the RNLI's President for over half a century. During the visit, he was shown three of the charity's most significant lifeboats, which between them have saved more than 300 lives at sea. The Duke presented Tina Smith, the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection Volunteer and former lifeboat crew, with a 20-year Service Award for operational service at Gravesend Lifeboat Station. “His Royal Highness met volunteers and staff at @HistoricRNLI before presenting a certificate to commemorate his visit during The Queen’s #PlatinumJubilee year,” according to the tweet. … [Read more...] about Prince Edward visits UK’s largest display of RNLI historic lifeboats

Despite Moscow's attempts to stem any dissent against its invasion of Ukraine, some Russians are continuing to protest -- even if it means facing draconian punishment for the most benign acts of opposition. Some have paid a heavy price for their acts of protest. In the early days of the war in February, authorities moved quickly to quash demonstrations, arresting people who marched or even held blank signs, balloons in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, or other oblique references to the conflict. Critical media outlets were shut down as the government sought to control the narrative. Political opponents were singled out by President Vladimir Putin or commentators on state-run TV. Russia cracks down on independent media during Ukraine invasion Russia's brain drain: War with Ukraine prompts tens of thousands to flee abroad Lawmakers rubber-stamped measures that outlawed the spread of "false information" about what the Kremlin called a "special … [Read more...] about Russians defy crackdown to find small ways of protesting Ukraine war

Speaking at a news conference Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia would have to carpet-bomb the Ukrainian capital and kill its residents to take the city. Meanwhile, the Russian troops are attempting to encircle Kyiv further, fighting against heavy resistance in the west and the north of the city. And after twelve days of siege, the strategic southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol is without water, gas, electricity or communications, and people were seen fighting for food in recent days. The situation is "almost desperate", warned Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The number of civilians killed during the siege of Mariupol reached 1,582, and some of the casualties had to be buried in mass graves. Local authorities fear that the actual number might be much higher. 03.12.2022 09:24 Saturday's main developments: The worst of the fighting overnight took place in Irpin, Mykolaiv and Sumy, according to the General Staff of the … [Read more...] about Ukraine war: Kyiv would only fall ‘if carpet bombed’ by Russia, Zelenskyy says

Denise Van Outen has gone Instagram official with her new beau, eight months after her heartbreaking split from her cheating ex fiance Eddie Boxshall . The Celebrity Gogglebox star, 48, went public with property developer Jimmy Barba at the 12th annual Grand Prix Ball on Wednesday (June 29) after the pair were reportedly set up by their mutual pal, All Saints singer Shaznay Lewis . Taking to social media the next morning, the mum-of-one was flooded with supportive comments from celebrity pals and fans as she introduced her new boyfriend to her 667,000 Instagram followers. In the collection of shots, Denise can be seen beaming alongside hunky Jimmy as they enjoyed the swanky bash amongst other pals and guests. Denise Van Outen is seemingly no longer a single lady ( Image: Instagram/ @vanouten_denise) The star has made things Instagram official with new beau Jimmy Barba ( Image: Instagram/ @vanouten_denise) The former West End star wowed in a … [Read more...] about Denise Van Outen goes Instagram official with new man in cute couple selfie

By Tom Espiner Published 2 hours ago comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The pound has fallen to a two-year low against the dollar reflecting traders' increasing concerns about recession around the world as energy prices continue to soar. But sterling is also weak because markets are worried about future UK economic growth, analysts said. Sterling could fall even further after predictions of economic stagnation and as inflation rises, they added. London shares regained some ground on Wednesday following Tuesday's falls. The resignation of two senior government ministers on Tuesday evening, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, was not a significant factor in the pound's fall, Rabobank head currency strategist Jane Foley told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. UK household energy bills to hit £3,000 per year Sunak … [Read more...] about Pound slides to two-year low against the dollar

By Hazel Shearing Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Former higher and further education minister Michelle Donelan has been made the new education secretary. It follows Nadhim Zahawi's departure from the post as he becomes chancellor. Ms Donelan, 38, has spent the past two years occupied with universities and colleges. Now she has the whole of England's education system to contend with - and she is facing a pretty packed schedule. Catch-up after Covid Perhaps the biggest issue Ms Donelan will have to contend with is the impact of two years of disruption on schoolchildren. By 2030, ministers want 90% of children leaving primary school to reach the expected standards in reading, writing and maths. There's a long way to go, and unions aren't convinced it's doable with current levels of funding. This week, Sats results … [Read more...] about Who is Michelle Donelan and what is the new education secretary facing?

Published 25 July 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A public consultation has closed on changes to Scotland's hate crime laws, which opponents say could have a damaging effect on free speech. Ministers argue the bill offers great protection for victims at a time when the number of cases is on the rise. Scottish Labour's James Kelly said he had 'serious reservations', especially over the offence of stirring up hatred. But Scotland's justice secretary said people's freedom of expression was not under attack. As you are reading this news story on the BBC news website I am going to hazard a guess that you probably believe that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. And that you think without the right to free speech many other freedoms may be threatened? You would probably also agree that it is wrong actively attempt to stir up hatred against … [Read more...] about Free speech row over new hate crime bill in Scotland

By Branwen Jeffreys Published 26 November 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Madrassas in England will face regulation and inspection under government plans published on Thursday. Last month, Prime Minister David Cameron said some children were "having their heads filled with poison and their hearts filled with hate" in these Muslim supplementary schools. Muslim organisations accept regulation is needed to protect children's welfare but maintain concerns about radicalisation are misplaced. The UK contains about 2,000 madrassas. Religious instruction Under the plans, any out-of-school setting providing intensive education would be required to register and be open to inspection. This is likely to cover almost all madrassas, as the proposals suggest six to eight hours a week as the threshold for regulation. Many Muslim children attend madrassas to … [Read more...] about Plans to regulate madrassas published by government

Published 24 March 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The killing of criminal lawyer Joseph "Pino" Acquaro in Melbourne sheds light on the hidden machinations of the 'Ndrangheta, says Australian crime writer Adam Shand. Liborio Benvenuto, who died in 1988, was the last of the old-time Australian godfathers. He understood his power but also its limits. His protege Joseph "Pino" Acquaro, who was murdered in a Melbourne street last week, was not so wise. Benvenuto became the leader of The Honoured Society, a Melbourne-based Calabrian mafia group, after a bloody internal battle in the early 1960s dubbed the Market Wars. He presided over a quarter century of relative peace until he died of natural causes in 1988. It was Benvenuto who encouraged Acquaro, the son of a prominent accountant in the Calabrian community, to become a lawyer. Violence was bad for business, so a … [Read more...] about Lawyer’s murder hints at secrets of Australia mafia