UK

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorPrimary school pupils should be given ice lollies in science lessons to ensure learning is grounded in engaging real-life experiences, a coalition of scientific associations has said.A new primary science curriculum should be introduced which offers a series of “essential experiences” in class so all children have opportunities to relate to scientific concepts, according to a report.The Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Biology and Association for Science Education have published recommendations for reforming the primary school curriculum in a bid to reduce inequalities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) education.Eating ice lollies, playing musical instruments and planting vegetables are some of the listed experiences which they suggest children should have by age 11 through science lessons in primary school.Children with limited first-hand experiences are “undeniably at a disadvantage”, the report suggested.Essential experiences like this promote learning on a personal level, so we believe they should be part of the curriculumAylin Ozkan, Royal Society of ChemistryIt said: “This is a fundamental equity issue, and the provision of rich essential experiences for children (particularly in the early and lower primary years) will go some way in addressing this.“These concrete experiences form a basis from which children can draw evidence for their ideas, making children ready for the more abstract learning they will encounter at secondary school.”The Government launched its curriculum and assessment review last month, which will be chaired by education expert Professor Becky Francis.The Department for Education (DfE) has said the views of experts, parents, teachers and leaders will be pivotal to the recommendations of the review, which are due to be published in 2025.Aylin Ozkan, a teacher and education policy specialist at the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “One of the recommendations for chemistry is that by the age of 11, all children should start to understand how temperature works and how heating and cooling can change things. What better prop is there for a teacher to help explain this than an ice lolly?“Essential experiences like this promote learning on a personal level, so we believe they should be part of the curriculum.“It’s a cheap solution, and will allow children the opportunity to develop their scientific confidence whatever their background – this is exactly what curriculum reform should be aiming to do.”Not all children have access to a garden or school fields and we want children to experience the world around them while empowering teachers to bring science in to everyday activitiesLauren McLeod, Royal Society of BiologyCharles Tracy, senior adviser in learning and skills at the Institute of Physics, said: “Many children enjoy making noise – but harnessing this in the classroom can help teach the basics of concepts such as pitch and volume. We want to help the review team to make the primary science curriculum as inclusive as possible.“We are recommending that teachers should be supported to bring global, historical, and societal context into their science lessons and that they should build science capital equitably by giving all students access to genuine scientific experiences that are currently the preserve of a lucky few.”Lauren McLeod, head of education policy at the Royal Society of Biology, said: “By celebrating green spaces, growing vegetables in the classroom, and visiting the local garden centre children can experience the life-cycles of living things and be involved in making healthy and sustainable choices.“Not all children have access to a garden or school fields and we want children to experience the world around them while empowering teachers to bring science in to everyday activities.”Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders’ union the NAHT, said: “Using real-life scenarios and objects can help bring science to life for pupils, and this happens in schools across the country, even under the current curriculum.“What is needed is not a whole new Stem curriculum, but to build upon what works best and a reduction in the current bloated programme – time is currently a big issue and there is scope to improve the experience of pupils and teachers by streamlining content.“The curriculum and assessment review must take a coherent and collective view of the whole curriculum, creating the space and time needed for schools to make it relevant to their pupils, improving engagement and fostering a real love of learning.”Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “Making science relatable to children’s real-world experiences in a hands-on way is an excellent approach to learning and something that primary schools are pretty good at doing.“The big challenge for the government’s curriculum review is going to be in making sure that there’s enough time for science alongside English, maths and everything else that primary schools have to deliver. At the moment, timetables can be quite congested because of the range of demands on schools.”A DfE spokesperson said: “High and rising standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down the barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.“The curriculum and assessment review will bring together leading education experts, leaders and staff, to consider how to ensure young people get the opportunity to access a broad and balanced curriculum, as well as the crucial work and life skills necessary to succeed in both the workplace and throughout their lives.” More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorHalf of the public believes Nigel Farage is “personally responsible” for the recent riots that erupted across the UK, a new poll has revealed. The survey, conducted by Savanta between 9 and 11 August among 2,237 participants, found 51 per cent of British voters hold the Reform UK leader accountable for the violent disorder which led to more than 1,000 arrests and hundreds of charges.The right-wing MP came under intense scrutiny following a video he posted shortly after three young girls were stabbed to death while attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. In the video, he accused the police of withholding the truth from the public and repeated misinformation which claimed the suspect was under surveillance by security services. In another clip, the Reform UK leader condemned the violence taking place on Britain’s streets. But he went on to claim there is a widespread impression of “two-tier policing”, which he said is contributing to a “sense of injustice”.Right-wing MP Nigel Farage came under intense scrutiny following a video he posted about the Southport stabbings More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorStaff who are consistently contacted by bosses outside of normal working hours could be in line for thousands of pounds of compensation under Labour plans.The government’s plans to introduce a right to switch off, establishing a barrier between workers’ professional and home lives, could see staff securing bumper payouts at employment tribunals.The policy, which will see employees and employers agree to an expected set of hours during which they can be contacted, has been based partly on examples in Belgium and Ireland.Angela Rayner said Labour will ‘bring together workers and businesses for the good of the economy’ More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorJames Cleverly has emerged as the favourite to take over as Tory leader among party members, the first major poll of the contest has shown, while Tom Tugendhat appears to be the most popular among the wider public.In the first poll of Conservative Party members since the race began at the end of July, 26 per cent put the shadow home secretary as their first choice. Following behind in second place was Priti Patel, with 20 per cent saying she was their top choice.The Techne poll, conducted between August 2 and 12, put Kemi Badenoch in third place at 14 per cent support, Mr Tugendhat in fourth with 11 per cent backing and Robert Jenrick in fifth on 10 per cent.Shadow home secretary James Cleverly (Lucy North/PA) More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorA British Foreign Office official has resigned in protest at the continued arms sales to Israel by the UK. Mark Smith, a counterterrorism official based in the British embassy in Dublin, said he can no longer “in good conscience continue to work with a government which is complicit in war crimes”. In a statement following his resignation, issued on Sunday, Mr Smith said he had worked as a policy advisor in the Middle East and North Africa department for most of his career. He added that he was “the lead author of the central assessment which governs the legality of arms sales” in that department, where it was his job to assess international law compliance and information about civilian casualties. In the statement, issued through media organisation Neon, Mr Smith said: “To export arms to any nation, the UK must be satisfied that the recipient nation has in place robust procedures to avoid civilian casualties and to minimise harm to civilian life. It is impossible to argue that Israel is doing that.”He said he had written to foreign secretary David Lammy to inform him of his resignation from the Foreign Office and urged him to urgently review the UK’s approach to Gaza. People mourn next to the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza on Sunday More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorMore than half of people think Britain is “moving in the wrong direction”, according to a new poll that shows a drop in favourability of Sir Keir Starmer and his cabinet. The poll by Ipsos, which was conducted between 9-12 August, shows that people still prefer Labour leaders to Conservative ones but that there has been an increase in criticism of the new government. Fifty-two per cent of adults polled said that they thought Britain was heading in the wrong direction, while 22 per cent said things were heading in the right direction. Sir Keir remains the most popular politician asked about, with 38 per cent of people thinking of him favourably compared to 38 per cent unfavourably. This is however a drop compared to his ratings just after the election. His net favourability rating has now gone from plus 7 to 0. Conservative leader Rishi Sunak is on a net rating of minus 10. Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has had to deal with riots across the country since taking office More

Support trulyindependent journalismFind out moreCloseOur mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.Louise ThomasEditorLabour will end “divise rhetoric” and blame culture towards people on benefits, the new work and pensions secretary has said. Liz Kendall has said that an overhaul is needed to get people back to work, warning that the increasing number of people needing financial support from the state is unsustainable.Britain’s welfare bill is set to increase by £60bn over the next four years, according to analysis from think tank the Resolution Foundation. This has been driven by the growing number of people claiming disability or incapacity benefits and by guarantees for pensioners. In an interview with The Observer, Ms Kendall said: “I do not think it’s sustainable when you’re seeing those levels of increases, but we can do something about it.”She criticised the Tory government for “divisive rhetoric that blames people and doesn’t support them”. In May, ministers opened a consultation on the disability support system PIP, with ideas including replacing cash benefits with a voucher scheme and one-off grants.Liz Kendall will also chair a child poverty taskforce with education secretary Bridget Phillipson More