Some newspapers picked up on an Ofsted inspection report that criticised nursery teachers for spending too long teaching children how to read and write and not enough time encouraging them to 'explore their feelings and thoughts'. The Metro ran with the headline, 'Nurseries told to stop teaching tots' and the Sunday Telegraph reported that Jean Brown, owner of Glenfield nursery school in Stockton-on-Tees, one of the nurseries criticised, said that the 'free play' approach could threaten high standards. New education secretary Ruth Kelly gave her first speech since taking office. Addressing the North of England Education Conference in Manchester, she pledged to 'increase the range of providers of education' and introduce 'competition' to decide who should run new schools. The Independent said Ms Kelly declared herself a 'parental champion', promising parents more choice of state schools.
Some newspapers picked up on an Ofsted inspection report that criticised nursery teachers for spending too long teaching children how to read and write and not enough time encouraging them to 'explore their feelings and thoughts'. The Metro ran with the headline, 'Nurseries told to stop teaching tots' and the Sunday Telegraph reported that Jean Brown, owner of Glenfield nursery school in Stockton-on-Tees, one of the nurseries criticised, said that the 'free play' approach could threaten high standards.
New education secretary Ruth Kelly gave her first speech since taking office. Addressing the North of England Education Conference in Manchester, she pledged to 'increase the range of providers of education' and introduce 'competition' to decide who should run new schools. The Independent said Ms Kelly declared herself a 'parental champion', promising parents more choice of state schools.
Most premature babies born before 26 weeks will have learning and physical disabilities, according to a new British study reported in The Guardian.
Among those who survive, more than 40 per cent are likely to experience moderate or severe learning difficulties by the age of six.
2004 saw Jack and Emily retain their positions as the most popular names given to babies born in the UK. Mohammed had the biggest rise, up to fifth position when all spellings of the name are added up. Previous newcomers Keira and Ashton both shot up the list, thanks to what The Times called the 'Hollywood effect', from the popularity of actors Keira Knightley and Ashton Kutcher.
