Commenting on today’s Queen’s Speech, setting out the programme of Government legislation, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
"The Government proposals on reforms to the National Curriculum, examinations and the deregulation of teachers’ pay are ill thought out and plain wrong. They will certainly not ensure a world class education system.
"Michael Gove now needs to stop and reflect on its plans for curriculum and examination reform. Many teachers are genuinely in despair about the curriculum proposals...
Experts writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine disagree with the conclusion that PIP breast implants do not show any evidence of significant risk to human health.
This was the decision reported in June 2012 by the panel appointed to investigate the PIP breast implant scandal chaired by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh.
Disputing this the authors point to evidence showing that the PIP implants were found to contain a higher proportion of a group of small-sized molecules than the norm, including one referred to as D4 which has been identified as an...
Exeter Chiefs may have just brought the curtain down on their 2012/13 campaign, but already head coach Rob Baxter is looking to next term with the acquisition of Fetu'u Vainikolo.
The Tongan international is the latest newcomer added to the playing ranks at Sandy Park, having agreed a two-year deal from RaboDirect Pro12 side Connacht this week. With not only seven international caps to his name, the 28-year-old winger arrives having previously featured for not only the Irish outfit, but also the Highlanders in the Super Rugby structure and Kiwi provincial sides Northland and Otago...
News about ‘skivers’ and ‘shirkers’ is not news but propaganda. It is convenient for governments – and, indeed, some citizens – to have scapegoats for our economic problems. Stigmatizing selected groups shifts the blame.
Josef Goebbels said, "If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed."
What are the causes and cures of poverty? Is poverty the fault of the poor themselves? Is it inevitable and intractable? Is employment what is needed to pull a family out of poverty? Isn’t it the case that most of the national welfare budget goes on the...
Every inch the 'domestic goddess', Kate Shirazi is Devon's very own version of Nigella but without all the innuendo, and the great news for the people of Exeter is that she has just opened up a delightful new cake and tea shop right at the heart of the city.
Just a stone's throw from the Cathedral, Kate has moved her home-based cake baking business Cakeadoodledo, first launched in 2006, into 1 Deanery Place (the road that runs between the entrance to Exeter Cathedral and Bear Street). Although slightly hidden away from the hubbub of Cathedral Green, I'm certain it won't be long...
A grant from the Leverhulme Trust has enabled RAMM to review its Blackfoot collections with the active participation of representatives from Blackfoot Nations in Canada and the USA.
Co-ordinated by Dr Alison Brown of the Department of Anthropology in the University of Aberdeen, staff from RAMM and the University of Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) will be linked with the Blackfoot Nations of Siksika, Piikani, Kainai and the Blackfeet.
A series of reciprocal research visits will improve identification, interpretation and care of the museum collections...
Exeter-based photographer, Tim Pestridge LBIPP, has received acclaim for his work in commercial photography after achieving the Joint Licentiate of the Year Award at the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) Qualification Awards. These awards are to recognise the best photographers who qualified with the BIPP within the past year.
Tim graduated from The University of Plymouth in 1995, having studied a BA Combined Honours Degree covering Graphic Design, Illustration and Photography. Over the next 10 years, Tim experienced a breadth of different creative roles such as...
Without support from local business, the future of a service run by local charity, St Petrock’s, is at risk. Started in 2010, St Petrock’s' Private Rented Service was set up to help address the limited accommodation options in Exeter available for single people who are homeless but do not have a statutory right to housing. While initially funded by Crisis – the national charity for single homeless people - for the first two years, this funding stream has ended and while all efforts are being made to attract funding, St Petrock’s is looking for a local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)...
Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park, the South West’s No 1 Multi Award Winning Family Attraction is offering an exclusive 30% online discount off admission prices for this Saturday 11 May! The discount, which is available to pre-book online now, offers fun for all the family with plenty of all-weather attractions! What’s more, guests can also enjoy seven days of fun for the price of one with this exclusive online offer!
With over 60 rides and attractions including the latest theme park rides, the friendliest animals and exciting indoor and outdoor play areas, there’s no shortage of...
