Pupils can play maths games on their Nintendo DS console. Photo: Dekuwa

Afro-Caribbean pupils in twelve Hackney schools are being given handheld games consoles to improve maths scores.

The new Learning Trust pilot scheme encourages students to play brain training games such as Sudoku on the Nintendo DS consoles.

The consoles are being lent out so that the young mathematicians can practice both in school and at home.

A number of schools are involved in the project including Daubeney Primary School, Northwold Primary School, and Tyssen Community Primary School.  (more…)

Tinchy Stryder at St Matthew Academy Photo: Ed Robinson

Rapper Tinchy Stryder swapped the bling for the blackboard in Lewisham today in support of the government programme to deliver personal finance in schools.The Bow singer took a teacher role in a special class at St Matthew Academy. (more…)

St. Mary's ancient dress code has been updated. Photo: TheirHistory

A school in West Croydon has finally taken the decision to allow its female pupils to wear trousers rather than skirts, after “decades” of protest. (more…)

Bethnal Green Technology College. Photo: Flickr

An Ofsted Report has praised a local college for an improvement in GCSE results and a better revised curriculum.

Bethnal Green Technology College was recently inspected and its overall performance was judged to be satisfactory. (more…)

Young people at the centre take part in 'Critical Encounters' programme. Photo: Second Wave

It’s not often that you would find a policeman in casual clothes being ordered to turn out his pockets by a black teenage boy dressed in a hoodie and baggy jeans – and rarer still to see the policeman meekly complying. But at Sedgehill school in Lewisham such scenes are soon to be a regular event.

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Jubilee Primary School students celebrate their fair trade title. Photo: Jubilee Primary School

Jubilee Primary School in Stoke Newington has been awarded as the first Fairtrade primary school in London after a year’s hard work.

The school had to meet five goals set out by the Fairtrade Foundation in order to gain the award. It uses Fairtrade products as far as possible and shows a wider acknowledgment of the cause in the school and the wider community. Jubliee School uses Fairtrade biscuits, tea and coffee during meetings and also has a Fairtrade stall every Monday which the children helps run.

Lasley Selwyn, Headteacher said: “Some school children have written letters to chocolate company Cadbury, asking them to expand their fair trade range of chocolate. Recently they have also asked their school caterer and the company that sells their uniform if they would like to come under the banner for the use of Fairtrade products.”

“Last term Jubilee was awarded the International School Award and achieving Fairtrade status really underlines the importance to the school of ensuring that our children see themselves as global citizens. They can see that it’s not just about charity, but about enabling others to help themselves. They also learn about other people’s cultures and other ways of life,” added Melissa Davies-Oliveck, the school’s international coordinator.

The Fairtrade Foundation is committed to tackling poverty and injustice through trade by ensuring better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and trade conditions for farmers and workers in the developing world. Certification and product labeling (through the Fairtrade Mark) are the primary tools for the development goals.

The council wants to stop children buying greasy food. Photo: wEnDaLicious

The public in Lewisham will have their say on ‘no fry zones’ which ban takeaways near schools.

If the  public vote in favour of the ban, the ‘no fry zones’ will rule out fast food restaurants applying for planning permission within a 400m radius of  a school.

The  fast food exclusion zones were proposed by the local Green Party, and will now be the subject of a public consultation. Lewisham’s Deputy Mayor, Heidi Alexander  said that any policy, “will need to be evidence based and be defended at a public enquiry.”

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Parents and community members at the start of the nine-month campaign to protect their school Photo: Lee Bright

While many school children were last week relishing days off due to the snow, pupils from one Lewisham school were eager to return after a nine month absence.

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Selhurst specialist school. Photo: Emily Jupp

Croydon council have welcomed a government pledge of £12m extra funding to deal with increased demand for primary school places in the borough.

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Goldsmiths College. Photo: Shade Lapite

Members of the National Union of Teachers have voted for strike action in two Lewisham schools, ELL learned this week.

Teaching members from Deptford Green and Addey & Stanhope schools called strike action in a preliminary ballot following anger over plans for the schools to form an educational trust with nearby Goldsmiths college.

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