Learning Through Action

Education Secretary Michael Gove has outlined what he's described as "a formidable reform programme" for schools. Mr Gove promised greater decision-making powers for the best performing schools and simplified Ofsted inspections. He also fleshed out his idea for a British version of the international baccalaureate which will award a school leavers' certificate to pupils with good GCSE grades in English, maths, science, a modern or ancient language and a humanities subject.

The first 16 Free Schools approved to enter the next stage of planning have been named by Education Secretary Michael Gove. The list includes primary and secondary schools, as well as faith and non-faith schools. Mr Gove has said that they could be open to pupils by next September.

There are more registered teachers in England than ever before, but the number of male teachers remains low. Latest figures published by the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) revealed that 567,817 teachers were registered with the GTC on the census date of 31 March 2010, an increase of 2.9 per cent on the previous year.

A London school has become one of the first primaries to achieve academy status. Durand Primary in Stockwell is one of 32 schools which has successfully made the change in time for the new term. The school is already a pioneer, having previously built a gym in its grounds to provide extra income. It has also bought a Grade II listed mansion in Surrey, the site of a former boarding school, which it hopes to use to give an Eton-style experience to inner-city teenagers.

32 schools will reopen as academies this month after taking Education Secretary Michael Gove up on his offer to apply for the status. It is understood that the majority of those opening are rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, or involved in federations with outstanding schools.

As ministers call for history to be taught with dates, a research project is looking at how the subject has been taught over the last century and whether there are myths surrounding what is and isn't being done in the history classroom. The team from the Institute of Historical Research is hoping to piece together a record of how teaching of the subject has developed over the past hundred years.

A new breed of street performer is hitting the streets this summer. Scientists are carrying out daredevil experiments on high streets and in shopping centres in an attempt to get more young people interested in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Schools Minister Nick Gibb says the gap between rich and poor pupils must be narrowed, as figures are released showing attainment at Key Stage 1. The Minister highlighted the importance of a good primary education and stressed the need for all children to have a solid grounding in the "three Rs" by the age of 7.

New figures on the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) show the safe-sex message is failing to get through to young people. Statistics show almost half a million (482,696) new cases of STIs were diagnosed in the UK last year, up almost 12,000 on the previous year. Of these, young adults account for most new cases.