All universities are having to find their niche in today's competitive world. The union believes that Brunel should concentrate on teaching, not research They may be right. But are they right to turn that argument into a power struggle?. The dispute between Steven Schwartz, the vice-chancellor of Brunel University, and the Association of University Teachers intensified this week when the local branch president was made redundant. The Government is to be congratulated for reaching agreement on reducing workloads with the majority of the teachers' unions. It would be a pity if the introduction of the reform were marred by inadequate preparation and finance.. It is a symptom of the general incomprehension felt by most in the face of the London bombings that virtually every explanation imaginable has been seized upon in an attempt to make sense of something that seems completely senseless.
Often the explanations offered appear to say much about their authors, whilst doing little to bring us closer to that elusive comprehension. For a start, we can discount the politicians' imaginings that "they hate our values and our democracy". But are we getting closer when it is suggested that Muslims' lack of economic success and integration can be blamed, especially in the case of Muslims of south Asian origins? Does social and cultural isolation make it easier for individuals to follow a path which leads them over the edge in this way? Spurred on, of course, by feelings of anger at the international politics which constantly seem to target fellow Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Chechnya - just to mention the issues with the highest profile. Too often pupils slide back in their first year of secondary school. Ofsted reckons this happens to around 30 per cent of pupils.According to an RSA report last week, a similar picture is emerging from the other 50 schools in the scheme. Literacy levels are improving and schools are reporting that their pupils are more motivated to learn and engage in less low-level disruption.Richard Garner.
In collaboration with Sport England, the pupils undergo a series of fitness checks to find out how healthy they are and what sports would suit.The programme called Opening Minds is designed to tackle the problems pupils have in making the transition from primary to secondary school. Moreover, the number of children going to sin-bins has fallen to zero and the referral unit has been closed. Under the new approach a project called Roman Around replaces history. Pupils spend time visiting local sites of historic interest, which can give them an insight into Roman times in the neighbourhood.
