Majority of parents believe sex education should be compulsory in secondary schools, YouGov poll reveals

This is the finding of a new YouGov poll commissioned in the wake of the disturbing sex abuse cases that have come to light in the past few months.

The lessons shopuld also cover the topic of how to develop “!respectful relationships”, 86 per cent of all adult respondents believe.

The survey, commissioned by the End Violence Against Women, is accompanied by a report which is highly critical of the lack of action by the Department for Education in taking steps to curb abuse through schools - in particular through its decision not send campaigning material produced by the Home Office, called ThisIsAbuse, on to schools.

The DfE, it adds, has also wound up its expert group tackling violence against women and girls.

“For months now there has been a torrent of news reports about child sexual abuse, prosecution of groups of men for child sexual exploitation, the murders of Tia Sharp and April Jones and weekly stories of domestic violence murders - the rate of which ius not falling,” said Marai Larasi, who co-chairs EVAW.

“Currently government work is at best patchy and education policy is a key barrier to improving this.”

A spokeswoman for the Department for Education said sex and relationships education was already compulsory in state secondary schools and that guidance made it clear pupils shoild be taught about the dangers of abuse.

At present, sex education is included in the biology curriculum although the report says that there are plans to consider including the topic of sexual consent in the PHSE curriculum (personal, social, health and economic).

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Academies and free schools in the rush towards the opening of the boarding schools funded by the State

New statistics show that there was a huge increase of requests for academies, charitable organizations educational and committed individuals in the schools without arrange movement of internships for students.

Throughout the first four months of 2013 (SBSA) State boarding schools Association said that received 20 applications for those who are interested in the opening of new institutions. This compares with a single application per year over the past five years. These new schools would offer a free education and the burden for boarding costs - reducing the demands on the bank accounts of parents for more than ￡25,000 per year around ￡ 10,000.

Although still an important monetary expense, charges can cancel care expenses and it is hoped that schools could provide an option for the children than families experiencing problems at home.

The new generation of boarding comes following the City Centre London school Durand of the Academy plan to open the "Eton of the public sector" in West Sussex for 600 children.

Three academies open boarding schools last year, with five plans announcing more doing the same thing. The Wellington Academy to Tidworth, Wiltshire, sponsored by the College of Wellington ￡ 30,000 per year, also offered places of embarkation to 100 students in 2012. Even the elite Eton College is planning to sponsor a boarding school of State, Holyport College, which will open its doors in 2014 to seven km from the public school in a village near Windsor-leaves.

The Academy of Harefield in Hillingdon, West London, was the first Academy to open a boarding school nearby for 50 of his students in 2012.

Director Lynn Gadd said the school has decided to offer to come aboard to help working-class students.

"For children who are about to have omitted because they are not in class, if you put internship, it will make a difference - it's a no brainer", she said.

"There also many children that we sofa surfers. They move from MOM to Dad at gran, so they are never in the same place to do their homework or to have a place to call their own. ?

She admits however, very few families can afford to pay ￡ 10,000 for the costs on board more than a year - say that it might sometimes be a struggle to find money for children who would benefit the most from the experience.

"The government finance the construction and equipment but it is not possible to finance places", said Ms Gadd. "You have to run to the charitable foundations for funding and local authorities for the financial sponsorship."

Melvyn Roffe, a veteran of the SABS and the Director of State of Wymondham College boarding school in Norfolk, said: "it's kind of come back in the future. It was a form of education that was popular years ago and now she is back. ?

Lauryn Nwaeze, 16, finished his GSCEs at Harefield Academy and moved to boarding school at the school in September.

I moved because of the long drive to the school, which would have been an hour-and-a-half.

It really helped me because it is so close to the school that if I ever need help from their teachers, they are literally two minutes from the hotel. My homework has improved because we have planned some study time.

I like be in the boarding house because it's like a family; Everyone looks at each other.

If you stay at the weekend you are allowed to do what you like, but obviously we have a curfew - for the year of 11 which is 22.

Before my arrival, I thought boarding would be like in Harry Potter, but it is really normal and you are in good hands. I have my own room and toilets, and we have a head-mistress home and people who take care of us and keep us online.

I don't mind not being at home because my mother a nurse and it works great. What I like most about his presence, is that I'm not on my own as well, and you get to be more independent without your parents.

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Leading headteacher: Michael Gove 'chickening out' on return of grammar schools

Dr Stephen Winkley, who will deliver his final prize day speech as head of leading independent school Rossall in Blackpool on Saturday, will suggest that political pressures - from both within his own party sand his coalition partners, the Lib Dems, have stopped him from reintroducing a selective education system.

Dr Winkley will argue that - if he had really wanted to improve the chances of students from poorer backgrounds - he had only one choice to make: bring back grammar schools which, he said, had been the pathway to university for generations of bright children from less affluent backgrounds.

Whilst preparing his speech, he added: “It's true that British independent schools are still viewed as the best in the world which is why so many people from countries such as China and South Korea choose to send their children here to gain a British education.

”But apart from independent schools and the small number of academies and free schools, where are our own children likely to get the best education, small class sizes and an opportunity for the brighter children from deprived areas to achieve their full potential?

“We had the answer for many years ... it was the grammar school system and it was dispensed with by politicians who suggested it was an elitist system that catered only for the brightest children to the detriment of those less gifted.

”Ironically, the politicians who decried grammar schools were probably educating their own children at grammar schools, as many still do.“

Dr Winkley, whose school is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference - which represents 250 of the most elite public schools in the country,? also accused parents of being unworried that their children nowadays opted for ”venal footballers and publicity seeking nobodies from the latest dreadful reality TV offering“

”Unless those values change the only losers will be our children, who will be left behind in the global economy by those from nations who place greater emphasis on education and recognize that it's the oxygen of a vibrant and successful nation,“ he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Gove also came under fire from CBI Director General John Cridland last night over his clash with headteachers at the weekend when he was heckled by delegates at the National Association of Head Teachers conference.

Delivering the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust annual lecture, he said: ”It's clear the reform programme is not landing as effectively as it needs to with school leaders.

“we're not talking about union firebrands here, or of those wh wrongly oppose school accountability outright.? To deliver lasting change, the Secretary of State needs to carry these people with him.”

He added:? “It's clear, therefore, that while Whitehall may think it's playing the right music, too few people are hitting the dance floor.”

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Online Architectural Drafting Schools and Colleges: How to Choose

Architectural drafters create blueprint drawings of building structures. Drafters work with architects and designers to create highly detailed and accurate blueprints on computer-aided design software (CAD).

Architectural drafters must have a thorough knowledge of CAD and be familiar with the professional standards of drafting. Architecture firms look for architectural drafters who hold an associate's or bachelor's degree in drafting, and any program a student is looking at needs to be accredited. Degrees are usually offered on campus as part of drafting or architecture programs accredited by the American Design Drafting Association (ADDA). However, there are a limited number of technical schools that offer an online associate's degree in architectural drafting.

Prospective students should look for schools that will prepare them for licensure. Although a professional license is not required to work as a drafter, obtaining a license does demonstrate your knowledge of professional standards in the field. An associate's degree program accredited by ADDA will fulfill many of the requirements for a professional license in drafting.

Students enrolled in the online drafting program can expect a hybrid program format. This type of program combines online learning with on-campus classroom experience. Students usually complete core requirements in liberal arts and general education courses online and participate in studio courses on campus. Since the most important aspect of working as an architectural drafter requires familiarity with computer-aided drafting programs, students can expect to spend a significant amount of time in studio drafting courses.

In order to participate in online programs, students must be aware that they need high-speed Internet access to accommodate the transmission of large media files like video, live streaming and course materials. Students must also have access to a webcam and a number of desktop office programs such as Excel, Microsoft Word, WinZip and Acrobat Reader.

The online associate's degree in architectural drafting is a 2-year degree that requires students to take liberal arts courses and core courses in architectural drafting, materials and methods. Students can learn additional skills in construction scheduling, project estimating, sales and accounting. Graduates from the program can also transfer the credits to fulfill requirements for a 4-year degree in architectural drafting or architecture.

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Online Psychiatry Schools and Colleges: How to Choose

Psychiatric nurses can pursue an advanced graduate degree to qualify for positions in education and healthcare. Online colleges offer master's and doctoral degree programs in psychiatric nursing. Read on to learn more.

Mental health professionals, such as specialized nurses, provide therapy services and prescribe psychiatric medication. These professionals need training in order to conduct physical examinations, interpret complex laboratory tests and provide diagnosis.

Online programs in psychiatry are available for registered nurses (RNs) at the graduate level. In addition to providing medical training that includes clinical hours in a hospital or health clinic, these graduate programs can prepare students for professional certification, such as the Adult Psychiatric & Mental Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) credential offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Students looking for a master's or doctoral online nursing psychiatry program can expect to enroll in a hybrid program. These programs require students to spend at least part of the time on campus. This could be as little as a weekend or as long as a few weeks.

The hybrid program is designed to offer more hands-on and on-site training opportunities than online program, while still providing flexibility. All students in a hybrid program are required to divide their time between studying online and learning hands-on with clinical practice.

This degree program is rare and designed for licensed RNs who have completed a diploma, certificate or degree program in nursing. The course of study can take two years to complete and covers the standard of practice for psychiatric and mental health nurses. The curriculum highlights individual and group therapy, ethical, legal and health policy issues, as well as drug therapy and advanced diagnostic practices. The master's degree program can include a requirement of clinical hours that may be fulfilled in a health care facility or hospital close to the student's place of residence.

This degree is a practice doctorate intended for advanced nurses who hold a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing. Students in a practice doctorate program focus on a variety of different approaches and applications in their field. They study advanced psychiatric nursing practices by examining practical applications of theoretical concepts within psychiatry.

Students participate in courses that cover the principles of epidemiology, biostatistics, advanced pharmacology and biological treatments for disorders. Students may be expected to complete a research-based scholarly capstone project. The program also requires clinical hours, which students can apply to the requirements for one of the ANCC's psychiatric nursing certifications.

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Online Administrative Assistant Schools and Colleges: How to Choose

Online administrative assistant certificate and associate degree programs are fairly common. These 1- and 2-year programs offer options to students who want to learn from home or complete a course or two. Programs are even available to students who want careers in the medical or legal fields.

Students interested in administrative assistant school or college programs might want to first consider whether they would rather work in the business, medical or legal field. Some programs prepare graduates for administrative assistant positions in accounting departments, government agencies or insurance firms. Other programs are geared toward students who want to work in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes or public health agencies. Programs are also available to those interested in working in law offices as legal administrative assistants.

Generally, both certificate and associate degree programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions. However, an associate degree program usually contains additional general education course requirements that take an extra semester or two to complete. According to some schools, graduates of these programs may need less on-the-job training upon employment. The additional curriculum can also prepare students to transfer their credits to a 4-year program, if they're so inclined. Students might want to consider their career goals before enrolling.

Another consideration when choosing a school is whether the program is available in an online or hybrid format. Students interested in business administrative assistant programs may find that both certificate and associate degree programs can be completed entirely online. Medical and legal administrative assistant certificate programs are also available entirely online. However, associate degree programs in these fields are more commonly available as hybrid programs.

Certificate programs generally include coursework in the areas of computer technology and basic office procedures. Students can learn to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software. They may also gain skills in the areas of document design, records management, keyboarding and customer service. Students can download materials for these programs via course management systems, such as Blackboard. This software also allows them to participate in online chats.

Students in medical office assistant programs learn keyboarding and word processing skills. In administrative and records management courses, they focus on procedures for filing medical records, coding diagnostic procedures and submitting insurance claims. Additional topics include medical law and ethics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Online delivery systems used by these programs allow students to conduct research, send e-mails and take part in online discussions.

These programs include coursework in legal research, legal terminology and legal documentation in addition to keyboarding and computer software courses. Some programs also include introductory courses in business, civil or criminal law. Students may access online materials for these courses through instructional software, such as Desire2Learn.

Associate degree programs can include topics in accounting, human relations, computer transcription technology, information management and proofreading. General education courses in math, composition, communications, social science and the humanities are also included. These programs also use course management systems, such as Blackboard.

In addition to medical law and records management courses, these programs may offer students the opportunity to select concentration areas in front office, medical transcription or third party reimbursement procedures. Students may also study computer software applications, such as Excel and Access. Before participating in a program's discussion groups or message boards, students may have to undergo online orientations to become familiar with a course management system.

This associate degree program is a 2-year program that delves into advanced topics in legal proofreading and legal transcription. Students may also enroll in project management or office accounting electives. Online course materials, such as lecture notes or exams, are generally available through course management programs.

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Online Marine Biology Schools and Colleges: How to Choose

Marine biology is the study of aquatic plant and animal species. Professionals in this field are also concerned with the ecology of fresh and saltwater environments. While aspiring research technicians and marine biologists won't find online degree programs in marine biology, some schools offer introductory undergraduate courses through distance education.

Schools and colleges' marine biology programs are usually research intensive and require students to complete lab work and field experiences. Therefore, online marine biology programs aren't available. However, hybrid programs that allow undergraduate students to complete some introductory and general education courses online are available. Students can usually access these course materials through Blackboard or other course delivery systems.

Marine biology graduate programs, on the other hand, are completely on-campus programs. Students might want to consider their time and travel constraints before enrolling in one of these programs.

Students interested in entry-level jobs as research technicians for environmental consulting firms or nonprofit agencies may qualify for these positions after completing marine biology bachelor's degree programs. However, according to some schools, a graduate degree is often necessary to advance in this field. Students interested in acquiring additional job responsibilities or earning better pay may want to consider earning a master's degree in this field.

Doctoral marine biology programs are for those who want to take on managerial positions in industry or direct policy for government agencies. Graduates of these programs may also teach in colleges or universities.

Most marine biology schools and colleges offer students the opportunity to conduct hands-on field research through school-affiliated centers and institutes. Aspiring marine biologists might want to consider their areas of interest before choosing a program. For example, opportunities may exist to learn about restoring coral reefs or protecting sea turtle and shark species. Students interested in freshwater ecologies may want to look at programs that offer field experiences in estuary marshes or coastal lagoons.

Students in undergraduate marine biology programs can take courses in marine microbiology, aquatic pollution, coral reefs, fisheries science, oceanography and aquatic botany. Field experiences for these programs typically last over the course of 1-2 summer semesters. These programs are also available as marine biology concentrations within biology majors.

Master's degree programs in this field often allow students to conduct advanced research in their areas of interest. Topics of study can include marine geology, shark biology, genomics and marine physiology. These programs may offer thesis options to students interested in research careers and non-thesis options to students who would like to use their training in their current positions.

Students in these programs complete coursework in the areas of environmental science, oceanography, evolution and ecology. They also enroll in elective courses that are used to complete research for their dissertations. Some programs also require students to complete teaching practicums.

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Schools ditching GCSEs for ‘O-levels’

Last night headteachers’ leaders claimed the rise was down to a vote of no confidence” in the way last year’s English GCSE grading row had been handled.

Figures from Cambridge International Examinatiuons, which offers the rival IGCSE to schools, show that the number of schools opting for its English exam this summer has almost tripled in a year - from 34,800 to 93,300.

In addition, the total number of entries for all Cambridge IGCSE subjects has doubled over the same period with over 115,000 entries for the summer of 2013.

The rise follows last year’s fiasco when exams regulator Ofqual put pressure on exam boards to raise the grade boundaries in English for those sitting the exam in the summer - so as to ensure that the pass rate was broadly similar to that of the previous.? A glimpse at the January results showed that changes to the exam had led to a higher pass rate.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:? “What happerned with English last year has been a major factor in the rise - the IGCSE is not subject to the same regulatory control as the GCSE.

“It isn’t subject to Ofqual’s policy of comparable outcomes (under which exam boards have been told the pass rates for each grades should be broadly in line with previous years.”

He added:? “It is not a vote of no confidence in the GCSE itself - it is a vote of no confidence by teachers in the way things gave been handled.

“Teachers feel extremely disempowered - and they want to act in the best interest of their pupils and remove this uncertainty over the grade boundaries and what they should be aiming for.”

The exodus from the GCSE to the IGCSE - which is modelled along traditional O-level lines with the emphasis on an exam at the end of the course -? began with schools,mainly in the independent sector, ditching GCSEs because they considered it did not stretch their pupils enough.

Education Secretary Michael Gove is now planning a major shake-up of the GCSE which will bring it more into line with its international rival.

However, Mr Lightman said: “Ironically, teachers believe they have a better chance of getting a higher grade for their students through the IGCSE.? It is more straightforward and more predictable.? IGCSE exams haven't got the uncertainty that surrounds the GCSE exam and its grades.”

he predicted some schools would put their pupils in for both exams.

Today's figures show the increase in take-up is mainly in the state sector with the number opting for it almost tripling from 368 to 963 this year - more than one in four of the entire sector.? In all, 1,300 schools have signed up for the IGCSE.

One state school head said: “The course is more accessible for students.? They do not mess with the grade boundaries.”

Another added that he was “very unhappy” with his GCSE awarding body “and the way the results last summer were politically manipulated”.

He said he wanted an exam which was “outside Ofqual/Coalition Government influence and yet still has UCAS and employer confidence”.

Michael O'Sullivan, chief executive of CIE, said: “Schools recognise that its linear structure offers rigour and effective preparation for the next stage of their education.

”For sure, they are also mindful of planned educational reforms such as the recently proposed changes to GCSEs and A-levels.? These reforms highlight that Cambridge IGCSE is a step ahead of the curve.“

The IGCSE was introduced when the UK ditched the two-tier O-level and CSE examination system in the 1980's because some Commonwealth countries, notably India and in the Caribbean, wanted to stick with the old O-level.

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