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Focuses on the plans of the British government to solve the problems facing schools in London, England, by appointing an education commissioner or tsar. Tsar's responsibility across the boroughs for tackling various education-related issues; Efforts to improve schools in the city; Unions' response to the government's plan. INSET: CAPITAL FACTS, by Amanda Kelly..

Reports that the popular GCSE examinations in which pupils only needed to score half marks to achieve and A grade is to be made easier on 2005 to make the test more accessible in London, England. Argument of the Edexcel board, which offered mathematics examinations, on the wordings of questions that made the papers harder; Reaction of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in making the examinations easier; Comment of an Edexcel spokesman regarding the move to make the examinations easier for 2005.

Reports on the proposal to increase the salaries of experienced classroom teachers in London, England. Details of the proposal of the School Teachers' Review Body of a separate salary scale for inner-city teachers; Percentage of salary increase; Campaign of the National Union of Teachers for significant salary increases.

Reports the plan of the government to set up a five-tier hierarchy of secondary schools in London, England. Views of Education Secretary Estelle Morris; Development of the method in teaching; Discussion of the structure of schools.

Deals with the proliferation of teachers flying out of South Africa to prop up under-staffed schools in London, England. Escape from poor conditions and pay in South Africa; Equalization of class sizes in black and white schools; Teacher Brandon Solomon's recognition of improved standard of living; Teacher Greg Morrell's recognition of low cost of living in London, England.

The article discusses the implications of the British government's decision to move the offices of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) from London to Coventry, England. It is reported that the QCA's move coincides with the division of the QCA to include the Regulator of Qualifications and Examinations (Ofqual) and that 85 percent of QCA employees are expected to resign rather than relocate. Concerns that these issues will affect the launch of the diploma program are noted.

The article discusses the results of a study by researches at the Institute of Education in London, England regarding the affects of Great Britain's national testing regime on students' interest in science. Teachers interviewed in the study admit that test pressure has led to the abandonment of practical work in science classes favor of test preparation sessions. These teachers also report a waning appreciation for science among their students.

The article reports on the success of a program that requires underperforming Key Stage 3 students at Mossbourne Community Academy in London, England to attend a longer school day. It is reported that students at Mossbourne attend a thirty-hour school week where the average British student's school week is twenty-five hours. Mossbourne students were reportedly among Great Britain's top performers on standardized tests in 2007 in spite of poor performance among feeder primary schools.

The article discusses the decision of a group of students from Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls School in London, England to boycott the Key Stage 3 Shakespeare test. The students argue that Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," is anti-Semitic. It is reported that the school's national ranking fell considerably as a result of the students' decision. Yesodey Hatorah principal Abraham Pinter comments in support of his students' decision.

The article profiles the top-performing British schools, based on 2007 national league tables assessing student progress during key stage 3. The top school is an Orthodox Jewish girls' school, the Yesodey Hatorah comprehensive school in Hackney, east London, England. The school also received an outstanding report from the Office of Standards in Education in September 2006. Nationally, English scores were down and Mathematics and science scores were up slightly.

The article focuses on the speculation of possible fiasco in the examination and curriculum reforms by the Public and Commercial Services Union if the proposed relocation of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) will be carried out from Mayfair, London, England. QCA is deemed to transfer location in 2008 and planned to make curriculum reforms for that period, but the union claimed that it will be a disaster for schools. The transfer is partly caused by budget cuts and the Lyons review.

The article focuses on the worries and concerns of some textbook authors and the Society of Authors on some printing press' action of printing books through exam-board tie-in in London, England. Thus, a biology teacher who is also an examiner, Michaela Johnson told that variety of General Certificate of Secondary Education textbooks which are syllabus-specific books are endorsed by the Assessment and Qualification Alliance, Oxford, Cambridge & RSA Examination Board and Edexcel.

The article focuses on the arguments tackled in the "Death of Dyslexia" conference held in London. Julian Elliott, professor of education at Durham University, said that dyslexia should pensioned off as a term. He argued it was not clear how to distinguish between dyslexics and non-dyslexics or what difference it made to the required treatment whether that person was labeled dyslexic or not.

Reports that one of the suspected suicide bombers worked as a learning mentor at a primary school in London, England. Identification of Mohammed Sadique Khan as one of the men behind the blasts on the Underground trains; Background of the family; Statement of friends about Khan.

Reports on the effort made by school teachers not to separate students by color at St. Bonaventure boys school in East End, London. Creation of other strategies to boost the performance of black youngsters; Identification of issues that affect black boys performance in school and addressing them systematically; Significance of setting a role models at home and encouraging parents to support their children's learning.

Reports on the changes in the secondary school system in London, England. Assignment of personal tutors to all pupils; Link of schools to universities; Delivery of a high quality, coherent program of academic, vocational or work-based learning.

Reports that John Humphrys, veteran broadcaster and star of Radio 4 program "Today," has ventured into an east London, England comprehensive to give a group of inner-city teenagers a lesson in the use, and misuse, of the English language. Humphrys' to the Eastlea school to film a documentary for Teachers' TV, a British government channel to be launched in February 2005; Chance of Humphrys to discuss his book, "Lost for Words: The Mangling and Manipulation of the English Language".

Reluctance of the London Oratory School head John McIntosh to seek specialist status for this Roman Catholic school in Great Britain. Contention of McIntosh that becoming a specialist school would mean laying on extra provisions; Specialist music provision offered by the school; Assertion of McIntosh that the Oratory already worked with five primaries in delivering its music program.

Reports that primary pupils' academic performance may improve if their school devotes time to drama. Results of a study in London, England.

Focuses on Tomlinson report, the conclusion of the eighteen-month investigation into a new qualifications structure, led by Mike Tomlinson, in improving the collaboration between schools and colleges in London, England. Key aim of the reforms; Result of the survey releases by the National Union of Teachers on the teachers who supported the Tomlinson report; Enumeration of the proposal for the Tomlinson report on October 22, 2004.

Reports that a student has been disqualified from an exam board and barred from taking any more for four years after selling papers to fellow sixth-formers in London, England. Investigation by Edexcel over the theft of papers from the independent Harrow Park tutorial college.

Reports on the finding by Dylan Wiliam and his colleagues at King's College in London, England that the high school that a child attends has less influence on academic success than the subject sets in which he or she is placed. Comparison of the General Certificate of Secondary Education maths grades of teenagers in 2000.

Reports that science investigations are being done by numbers in schools desperate to improve results according to Jonathan Osborne, professor of science education at King's College in London, England. Manner of course-work education; Identification of the things to do with proper scientific exploration; Assessment of the investigation.

Reports that the charity, Ideas Foundation, was formed to provide creativity scholarships to talented students in London, England. Celebrities who are willing to act as mentors; Benefits offered to selected students.

Reports on the benefits of the expanded university education for middle-class children in London, England. Chance of young person from a well-off background to become a graduate; Ability of the comprehensive system to improve the life chances of children from poorer homes; Improvement of children's social mobility.

Reports the urge for the reformation of education in London, England. Emphasis on individual needs of pupils; Need to change school structures and working practices; Call on the support of teachers and parents for children's education.

Reports the call of teaching unions in London, England. Increase in cost-of-living allowances for teachers; Failure of the union rallies to persuade ministers to increase allowances; Resignation of several teachers due to the cost-of-living in London.

Reports that teachers' employers are pushing for changes to the law to clarify how much money staff should lose when they go on strike in London, England. Reason for the strike; Criticism of the Education Bill; National Union of Teacher's (NUT) attempt for an amendment to the bill; NUT's desire for a guaranteed negotiating rights for teachers in schools.

Reports on the call of employers on the amendment of the Education Bill in London, England. Reason for the amendment; Reaction of the government; Link between teachers pay and result of performance appraisal.

Reports the difficulties in signing up teachers for the education standards drive in London, England. Comments of teachers on the policies of the agenda; Information on the book 'The Learning Game,' by Tony Blair; Discussions on public sector reforms.

Reports several career developments of various educators in London, England. Promotion of Liz Paver, vice-chairman of the General Teaching Council; Selection of Mick Carney, member of the council; Entry of John Beattie, member of the council.

Reports the industrial action of teachers over performance-related pay in London, England. Reason for the industrial action of teachers; Conditions set by teachers if ministers fail to provide cash to cut workload; Organizations supporting the industrial action.

Reports on the preparations of teachers in London, England for their strike in nearly 20 years. Contention of the one-day stoppage on March 14, 2002; Criticism of the strike by Graham Lane, chair of the National Employers' Organization for School Teachers; Impact of industrial action on education in London.

Reports on the admission rules of church schools in London, England. Analysis on the admission policies; Criteria of religious schools; Contravention of legislative orders.

Reports the plan of the educators to support the industrial action for an increase of the cost-of-living allowance in London, England. Emphasis of the fundamental changes of the education performance; Consideration of the fundings for local authorities; Implication of staff shortages.

Focuses on problems encountered in the launch of the First City Academy in London. Intention of pioneering a government scheme changing inner-city comprehensives; Enumeration of schools scheduled for a relaunch; Reasons for the name change of First City to Greig City.

Reports on the implication of changes to funding council for schools in inner London, England. Purpose of the changes to the calculations of what councils receive from government; Complaints from schools in rural areas; Concern about the extra funding of urban authorities.

Profiles James Kempton, Liberal Democrat chair of education in London, England. Duties and responsibilities; Proposal to outsource education services to a private company; Liberal Democratic Party's plan to propose seven tests for any public sector privatization in Great Britain.

Focuses on results turnaround for Islington Arts & Media school in London, England. Subject of a documentary by cable television station BBC 2 in Great Britain; Increase in the proportion of its pupils achieving five or more top grades shoot up from six to 27 per cent; 'Head on the Block' television program's examination of school's reopening under British Government's Fresh Start scheme.

Reports on Tulse Hill primary school in London, England's search for a headteacher. Salary offered to the headteacher; Reasons for difficulty in recruiting a headteacher.

Reports that England's Department for Education and Skills is considering handling all education provisions in the failing borough of Hackney in London, England to a private trust. Reason behind the agency's plan; Overview on previous privatization moves in different English boroughs; Perceived advantages of privatizing all education provisions in the borough.

Reports on South African teachers' complaints against schools and agencies in London, England for failing to offer them training and help with accommodation. Few employment rights of overseas teachers; Placement of majority of overseas teachers in toughest schools where standards of behavior were worst; Different status of teachers in South Africa and Great Britain.

Reveals that teachers at the London Oratory school in England received lower pay increases as compared to teachers in the public sector in 2000. Decision of head teacher John McIntosh to set low pay increase levels to avoid pushing the school into indebtedness; Response of staff to the move; School's opting out of the pay structure and conditions set by the government.

Focuses on the success of King's College in London, England after the school's reorganization. Management; Number of students; Improvements in teaching at the school.

Reports on the alarm raised by the failure of police in London, England to examine the criminal records of supply teachers for possibility of being a pedophile. Implication for the safety of school children; Effect of lengthy police checks in other areas on recruitment; Responsibility of schools in ensuring the pupils' safety.

Focuses on London, England-based headteachers' plan to ask the British Government to safeguard Hackney borough's education budget. Meeting with civil servants; Effort to ensure that schools are not hit by cuts; Pending exodus of Hackney borough's senior management team.

Focuses on Hackney borough director of education Alan Wood's plans for the borough in London, England. Resignation of Liz Reid as borough's education director; Goal of seeking help from more successful neighboring authorities.

Reports on pressures facing Chris Woodhead, head of Great Britain's Office for Standards in Education. Lawsuit for placing the Crown Woods School in special measures; Woodhead's encounter with a Parliamentary select committee on education; Rumors on plans to resign.

Reports on London, England-based Islington Arts and Media School's governors' condemnation of the television documentary 'Head on the block' aired on BBC2 in Great Britain. Biased presentation of the relaunch of the inner-city comprehensive school; British Broadcasting Corp.'s reneging on an agreement to film the school for the whole of its first year of re-launch; Concentration on early difficulties of the school.

Reports on the resignation of Liz Reid as director of education in the London borough of Hackney in England, in September 2000, a month before the return of inspectors. Reactions of heads in the borough to Reid's resignation; Remarks made by Reid on her decision to resign.