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Buckingham in the news
July 2006 update
International news
Take a master class. Buckingham's MA TESOL is listed in this article looking at English language training-related master's courses in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Compared with fees charged to overseas students for an MA TESOL at other universities, it is very competitive. El Gazette, July 2006.
Publications
Professor Jon Arch et al.
- "Some mathematical and technical issues in the measurement and interpretation of open-circuit indirect calorimetry in small animals", International Journal of Obesity online, June 2006.
- Achieve IELTS 2: English for International Education (London: Marshall Cavendish, July 2006).
- "The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004", Denning Law Journal 18 (2006).
- "Rolling back the reasonable man - but how far? (R v Karimi; R v James)", Denning Law Journal 18 (2006), 181-190.
- "The jilbab controversy (Begum v Denbigh High School)", Denning Law Journal 18 (2006), 221-231.
National news
21% is a pass mark in maths. News that some National Curriculum tests can now be passed with marks as low as 21 per cent. Professor Alan Smithers comments, "It's important the tests distinguish between people who can achieve and those who can't." Daily Mail, 1 July.
British boards review business links with US.
The imminent extradition of the NatWest Three prompted around 200 people to join a protest march to the Home Office in order to deliver a petition against the Extradition Act. Amongst those marching was Sir Martin Jacomb, former head of Barclays Investment Bank and Chancellor of the University of Buckingham. Daily Telegraph, 2 July.
A similar article appeared in The Independent on 3 July.
Media studies loses its allure to maths.
Professor Alan Smithers commented on figures which show a rise in applicants for traditional degrees such as maths, and a decline in demand for subjects such as media studies. He said, "One of the great plusses about students investing in their future is that they are thinking a lot more realistically about what is worth studying." Sunday Telegraph, 2 July.
Same-sex schools best.
A letter from the Headmistress of The Abbey School in Reading, Barbara Stanley, disagrees with findings by the Centre for Education and Employment Research showing that same-sex schools don't necessarily perform better than mixed schools. She highlights statistics from her all-girls school which show that the three most popular A level subjects are Biology, Chemistry and Maths, and that 80 per cent of those who studied these subjects received grades A or B. Daily Mail, 3 July.
Read our news article: "Single sex or co-ed?"
Obituaries: John Beloff.
An obituary following the death of John Beloff, brother of Lord (Max) Beloff, one of the founders of the University of Buckingham and former Principal. The Guardian, 4 July.
Are boys and girls best kept apart? Following a report by Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson, this article is an interview with two heads, one of a mixed school and the other of an all-girls school. Both felt that the issues were complex and that it was too soon to endorse any particular approach. Bradford Telegraph and Argus 4 July.
Similar articles appeared in the Portsmouth News and Hertfordshire Star on 5 July, in the Canterbury Extra on 7 July and in the Herne Bay Gazette on 15 July.
Big salaries draws students to maths.
Experts at the University of Wales Swansea say graduates who study maths can command higher salaries. This prospect is attracting an increase in applicants to the subject at degree level. Professor Alan Smithers comments that this is a good thing as it encourages students to seriously consider what they want to study at University. icWales, 5 July.
Obituary: Major-General Viscount Monckton of Brenchley. Major-General Viscount Monckton of Brenchley was a Patron of the University of Buckingham. The Times, 6 July.
Does it matter that mainly boys do physics? This article by Professor Alan Smithers looks at the proportion of girls and boys studying physics. Although there have been attempts in the past to increase the number of girls taking the subject the numbers have remained largely the same for 20 years. He asks whether it matters "that the sexes, when given the chance, choose different subjects" and that those arguing to increase the numbers should show "how any changes can enhance opportunity rather than restrict choices".
The Independent, 6 July.
One year on: 7/7.
In this edition of The Times, which commemorates the bombings on 7 July 2005, Professor Roger Scruton reflects on the events by looking at reasons why some Muslims in the UK feel contempt for the society they live in. The Times, 7 July.
Attractive pupils perform better at exams, say scientists.
Professor Alan Smithers commented on research by professors at the Verona University in Italy showing that students who they deemed more attractive did better than students that were less attractive. Professor Smithers said, "Attractiveness is in the eye of the beholder so it's difficult to claim that there can be a universal effect."
Daily Mail, 9 July.
Bright pupils register launch.
News that a new register for 'bright' pupils has been launched with the aim to help children from poorer backgrounds fulfil their potential. Professor Chris Woodhead argues that the provision of more grammar schools would be more effective at allowing 'bright' children to prosper, and wonders how the children being on a register but remaining at their comprehensive schools would have any effect. Carlisle News and Star, 11 July.
Similar articles also appeared in the Bournemouth Daily Echo; Lancashire Evening Telegraph; Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph; Sandwell West Midlands Express and Star; Birmingham Express and Star and the BBC and The Guardian websites on the same day.
I was amazed by Head's claim. A letter from a reader regarding a claim by the Head Teacher of Burnage High School that "boys will suffer if made to study alongside girls." The author highlights the research published by Professor Alan Smithers and Dr Pamela Robinson which concluded that there was no evidence to suggest children achieve more at single-sex schools. South Manchester Reporter, 13 July.
How the prudent student can survive at college. This article looks at costs for accommodation at the UK's universities. The most expensive is Imperial College in London. The Guardian, 15 July.
Getting to the heart of it.
This is a review by Dr Terence Kealey of Every Second Counts: The Race to Transplant the First Human Heart by Donald McRae. Dr Kealey says, "All medical history used to be written like this, focussing on heroic pioneers and - if the writer followed the model of Lytton Strachey's Eminent Victorians - their faults too." Sunday Telegraph, 16 July.
A great memorial to an even greater slaughter.
Dr Jane Ridley's review of The Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, by Gavin Stamp, describes the book as "brilliant" and goes on to say, "I found it utterly absorbing and read it in a single sitting …it is an eloquent, moving lament for the futile waste of industrialised killing of the First World War, and indeed of the 20th century - an elegy which resonates powerfully today."
Sunday Telegraph 16 July (back to back with Dr Kealey's review, above).
The colleges where a third of pupils drop out of their degree courses. News that the drop-out rates at some universities are nearly as high as 50%. Professor Chris Woodhead said the high drop-out rates were a "criminal waste of public money and immensely damaging to the young people concerned." Professor Alan Smithers also commented that since student numbers are so important to universities' income, there is concern this might mean they change the way they recruit to "accommodate weaker students." Daily Mail, 20 July.
Overseas students given grade top-ups at fashion college.
This article looks at a leaked email from the London College of Fashion which reveals that international students at the college regularly have their grades increased. Professor Alan Smithers comments, "It is damaging and patronising to offer dumbed-down qualifications to foreign students."
Times Higher Education Supplement, 21 July.
A similar article also appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 20 July.
Minister in pre-emptive attack on critics of exam grades.
News that Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, will defend the increasing number of students gaining A grades at GCSE and A-level, saying that this rise is due to improving students rather than the exams becoming easier. The Times, 24 July.
Our right to school choice…
This article is about the proposed closure of the only state girls' school in Nottinghamshire. The article focuses on one of the pupils who opted to go to Manning Comprehensive rather than a mixed secondary school. Professor Smithers comments that his research revealed there was no distinct academic advantage of single sex schools over mixed, but that, "In Notts, it sounds like parents care about the school and value what it provides. That's something the local authority should take on board." Nottingham Evening Post, 27 July.
It's more than alright for some.
This is a review, by Dr Terence Kealey, of Stewart Lansley's new book, Rich Britain: The Rise and Rise of the New Super-Wealthy . He sums up by saying, "Although well written, its thesis is wrong. Rich Britons is the price - an acceptable one - we pay for rich Britain." Times Higher Education Supplement, 28 July.
Degrees in two years on the way.
This article looks at the piloting of 2-year degrees at five institutions across the UK. The University of Buckingham has been offering 2-year degrees since its inception 30 years ago. Buckingham student Gemma Mather is interviewed as a student taking the established 2-year degree at Buckingham, and says, "Even if I take a gap year, I would still not be behind my peers. I also manage to do voluntary work and part-time work in a bar. The course is not that intense."
The Mail on Sunday, 30 July.
Teachers to stop teaching children right from wrong.
News of reforms proposed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, stating that schools are no longer required to teach the difference between right and wrong, is received with incredulity. Professor Alan Smithers comments, "The idea that they think it is appropriate to dispense with right and wrong is a bit alarming." Daily Telegraph, 31 July. Similar articles appeared in the Daily Mirror; Birmingham Express and Star; Wolverhampton West Midland Express and Star; The Sun; Daily Star; Yorkshire Post; Metro London; Daily Mail; The Times.
Radio, television and other appearances
- appeared on Jonathan Vernon-Smith, BBC Radio Northampton, on 19 June to speak out against any Government plans to identify paedophiles in the community. Other speakers included the NSPCC, Kidscape (Michelle Elliot) and NAPO (Harry Fletcher).
Anne Hampton and Frances Betts
- presented a paper at the Academy of Marketing Conference on 4-6 July 2006 in the Holiday Inn, Regent's Park, London. The paper was entitled "Re-thinking the Teaching of Marketing for Enterprise Development". The conference was attended by over 300 Marketing academics from 16 countries and included keynote addresses by Professor Jagdish Sheth and Sir Robert Worcester.
- spoke at a conference on Security and Civil Liberties: Losses and Gains in our Changing Society at Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, on 2-3 June. Other speakers included David Blunkett, Sir Michael Howard (historian) and Lord Scott.
- spoke at a conference on Democracy and the Nation-State in a Global World held by the Institute of Political Studies at the Catholic University of Portugal from 28 June - 1 July. Professor O'Hear spoke about "Democracy and the Nation State".
- appeared on the BBC South Politics Show on 2 July to talk about happiness and the pursuit of wealth.
- attended the Primer Encuentro de Innovación en el Aula de ELE conference, 3-5 July, at the University of Valladolid, Spain, to present a project she participated in on the use of ICT for the teaching of Spanish as a second language which has been selected as one of the finalists.
- spoke on 5 July to the Cornerstone Group of Conservative MPs.
- appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live and ITN on 11 July, and on You and Yours (BBC Radio 4) on 24 July, to talk about gifted and talented children and the NAGTY Register.
- appeared on the Simon Mayo Show (BBC Radio 5 Live) on 27 July to talk about university admissions.
- appeared on BBC Three Counties radio on 28 July to talk about the University of Buckingham's 30th anniversary.
V.S. Mahesh
- held a seminar on 28 July to celebrate 15 years of education and research in Service Management.
Read our news article: University celebrates 15 years of unique Service Management programmes
Local news
Look back at 30 years. News of an exhibition to be held at the Old Gaol to celebrate the University's 30th anniversary. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, 14 July.
Exhibition looks back on 30 years of University life. A letter written by Pat Brook, former lecturer at Buckingham, about the 30th anniversary exhibition organised by the University and the Old Gaol. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Brackley & Towcester Advertiser, 21 July.
Festival set for finale fun. The 30th anniversary exhibition at the Old Gaol is mentioned amongst the events during the Buckingham Summer Festival Fortnight. Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Brackley & Towcester Advertiser, 21 July.
University of Buckingham news in the Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser, Brackley & Towcester Advertiser and Bicester Review:
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7 July
- News of the 30th anniversary exhibition to be held at the Old Gaol.
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14 July
- An announcement that John Bercow has had to postpone his lecture due to take place on 20 July.
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21 July
- News of the Homecoming Weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
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