Latest news with #Tes
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunshine and school success
Sunshine and greenery have been in the spotlight in Wiltshire - but there has also been a local election and trips to the polling stations. The National Trust's Mompesson House, in Salisbury's Cathedral Close, is hosting its Festival of Blossom until 1 June. And although things have cooled down now, spots across the county were basking in very warm sunshine for much of the week. Tractors for charity: 300 tractors and 4x4s have been out for a special road run on Salisbury Plain in aid of the Stars Appeal, the Salisbury Hospital charity. It is part of Berwick St John Country Fayre. Water wings: Coate Water Park in Swindon attracted plenty of bird life during the hot weather this week, as this picture taken by Jeremy Stern shows. Moving it: The lemurs at Longleat had a chance to warm up in the sun this week - this one appeared to be either inspecting its foot or doing some exercises. School success: Two Swindon primary schools - East Wichel and Rodbourne Cheney - have been shortlisted for the title of the Primary School of the Year at the Tes school awards. Year Four pupils at East Wichel got out into the sun to celebrate. Clear skies: Weather watcher Stormchaser Al took this lovely photograph in Horningsham, a parish which is part of the Longleat estate. Sea of yellow: Many fields in Wiltshire are now filled with rapeseed, which covers landscapes in bright yellow. Weather Watcher Naddervalley captured this scene in Chilmark in the south of the county. Polling day: one of the many polling stations open for the local elections this week at Malmesbury library, where the sign was more welcoming with flowers. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Wiltshire in Pictures: Flowers and Easter flames Wiltshire in pics: Magical murals and an Easter donkey Wiltshire in Pictures: Blossoms and celebrations Wiltshire in pictures: Sun, wonky roads and pigeons Wiltshire in Pictures: Blossoms and celebrations Wiltshire in Pictures: Let the music play Wiltshire in pics: Spring equinox and indoor moon Wiltshire in pics: cows, Crufts and challenges Wiltshire in pictures: Sunshine and Shrove Tuesday Wiltshire in pictures: Crocuses and a tiny newt Wiltshire in pictures: Bird life and art hunt Wiltshire in Pictures: Romance in the animal world Wiltshire in Pics: Football, floods and remembrance Wiltshire in Pictures: Tunnels, murals and sunrises Wiltshire in Pictures: Toothbrushes, tigers and barges Wiltshire in pictures: animals enjoying the snow Wiltshire in pictures: Cold snap brings frosty scenes Wiltshire in pictures: Presents, bats and meerkats Wiltshire in Pictures: Star Wars and 'Fudgehenge' Wiltshire in Pics: Prince William and Storm Bert Wiltshire in pictures: Remembrance and light shows Wiltshire in pictures: Royal visit and mason's award Wiltshire in pictures: Halloween and sacred stones Wiltshire in pictures: Daleks, bats and pigs Wiltshire in pictures: Welcoming the troops home In pictures: Dragons, cows and Jane Austen Wiltshire in pictures: Culture and murals Wiltshire in pictures: Spinal tattoos to air tattoos Wiltshire in pictures: Exotic animals and Stonehenge Wiltshire in pictures: Silhouettes and bras Wiltshire in pictures: Reunions, sunflowers and maize Wiltshire in pictures: New sports hub and wartime cakes
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wiltshire in Pictures: Sunny days, waterside walks and Longleat
Sunshine and greenery have been in the spotlight in Wiltshire - but there has also been a local election and trips to the polling National Trust's Mompesson House, in Salisbury's Cathedral Close, is hosting its Festival of Blossom until 1 although things have cooled down now, spots across the county were basking in very warm sunshine for much of the week. Tractors for charity: 300 tractors and 4x4s have been out for a special road run on Salisbury Plain in aid of the Stars Appeal, the Salisbury Hospital charity. It is part of Berwick St John Country Fayre. Water wings: Coate Water Park in Swindon attracted plenty of bird life during the hot weather this week, as this picture taken by Jeremy Stern shows. Moving it: The lemurs at Longleat had a chance to warm up in the sun this week - this one appeared to be either inspecting its foot or doing some exercises. School success: Two Swindon primary schools - East Wichel and Rodbourne Cheney - have been shortlisted for the title of the Primary School of the Year at the Tes school awards. Year Four pupils at East Wichel got out into the sun to celebrate. Clear skies: Weather watcher Stormchaser Al took this lovely photograph in Horningsham, a parish which is part of the Longleat estate. Sea of yellow: Many fields in Wiltshire are now filled with rapeseed, which covers landscapes in bright yellow. Weather Watcher Naddervalley captured this scene in Chilmark in the south of the county. Polling day: one of the many polling stations open for the local elections this week at Malmesbury library, where the sign was more welcoming with flowers.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ofqual will ‘take action' if extra exam time given to private schools is unfair
The exams regulator 'will take action' if it finds that the higher proportion of private school pupils being given extra time in exams is due to unfairness. Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at Ofqual, said the regulator is doing 'extra work' as he is 'concerned' by the gap between private school and state school candidates being granted special exam access arrangements. Data published by Ofqual in November showed that 30.1% of pupils in England were given 25% extra time to complete their GCSEs and A-level exams in the last academic year following a surge in exam access arrangements being granted. I'm concerned by it, which is why we're doing this extra work Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at Ofqual More than two in five (41.8%) of all candidates in independent centres – of which the majority are private schools – were granted 25% extra time in their exams in 2023/24, compared with 26.5% in non-selective state schools. In an interview with Tes magazine, Sir Ian said he was 'surprised' when the divide was revealed in the recent Ofqual figures. Sir Ian, who was confirmed as Ofqual's permanent chief regulator last week, said: 'If, when we dig into the figures and get under the surface, we find something is happening that isn't fair to all candidates, whatever school they're in, then we will take action. 'I'm concerned by it, which is why we're doing this extra work.' He said any action taken would 'relate to awarding organisations' and would 'depend on what we find'. Sir Ian told Tes: 'This involves complex work but could potentially see results from this analysis before the end of the year.' It is obviously vital that there is no unfairness in the way that these rules are applied and it is absolutely right to look at any issue which raises concerns Pepe Di'Iasio, Association of School and College Leaders Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson asked Ofqual to look into the access arrangement data last year. The total number of approved special access arrangements for GCSE, AS and A-level exams rose by 12.3% in the 2023/24 school year compared with the year before, Ofqual data has revealed. Education leaders have suggested more pupils are seeking support after the Covid-19 pandemic due to a rise in young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) and mental health issues. Requests for 25% extra time in exams was the most common approved access arrangement for pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities, followed by computer readers, scribes and speech recognition. Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: 'We fully support this review of extra time in exams. 'Extra time is an important mitigation for students with additional needs whose exam performance may otherwise be negatively affected. 'However, it is obviously vital that there is no unfairness in the way that these rules are applied and it is absolutely right to look at any issue which raises concerns. 'It's also essential that state schools are properly funded and resourced to have the capacity to identify and meet students' needs. 'Everyone in education would agree with the need to ensure that there is full confidence in the exam system.'
