The Government today committed to the introduction of new legislation to improve the lives of children and families, drive up standards in schools and to make the education and training system for young people and adults more responsive and flexible.

The Queen's Speech confirmed plans to create more apprenticeships, to increase local accountability and boost schools' powers to search pupils.

The chaos around education maintenance allowance processing in England means about 100,000 fewer teenagers have received payments this year than last

Plymouth parents who take their children out of school to go Christmas shopping have been warned: "You could face a £50 fine."

Memorising facts and figures is a waste of time for most schoolchildren because such information is readily available a mere mouse click away, a leading commentator has said.

Researchers say flagship programme has little effect on children's social skills.

Far more students than had been thought are likely to be affected by cuts in university grants in England from next year, it has emerged.

Left-handed pupils do less well in tests than their right-handed peers, a study from Bristol University suggests.

Year 3 pupils at Manadon Vale Primary School have gone back in time to visit the Romans.

Church leaders have produced Beano-style comic books, featuring Santa and snowmen alongside the traditional Christmas characters, to help primary school children learn the story of the nativity.

England's flagship primary school social and emotional learning programme has had little impact on pupil behaviour, a study has suggested.

More needs to be done to warn pupils that choosing a "soft" A-level subject could limit their choice of university course, a think-tank says.

Government urged to issue guidelines, as discrimination against children and teachers is uncovered.

White parents are less likely to take an interest in their children's education than black or Asian parents. And they are also more likely to believe that their children's schooling should be left up to their teachers, according to a study for the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Young people to have a say in project development.

Growing numbers of teachers are quitting state schools to work in the independent sector. About one in four (12,000) of the teachers in private schools has been "poached" from the state sector, shows research by the University of Kent.

The Government's flagship academies are showing bigger improvements in exam results than the rest of the country's state schools – but they exclude far more pupils and have reduced the proportion of youngsters from poor homes they take in, according to a study published yesterday.

Nursery and primary school are more important than home environment, study shows.

Children who are struggling to read have made "spectacular" improvements under a reading scheme, academics say.

Sir Alan Sugar will be the face of apprenticeships in England in a new TV advertising campaign, ministers announced today.

Ed Balls Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families today announced £22m for Family Intervention Projects and a ‘Think Family’ approach across England to help more families at risk.

Academies are meeting their aim of raising school standards thanks to their innovative approach, according to an independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers published today.

Evidence shows standards are slipping as comparison is made of exam papers through the decades.

Mothers are three times more likely to be sent to prison than fathers, figures show.

Childminders who are unsung heroes to dozens of Plymouth parents have been honoured by colleagues and education watchdog Ofsted.

Schools should encourage pupils to run their own mini profit-making enterprises to improve the quality of their business education, research suggests.

Why are we asking this now? Because the new Schools minister, Sarah McCarthy-Fry, has called for more single-sex classes in schools, believing in particular that girls would learn from being taught science in single-sex classes – even in co-educational schools.

Gordon Brown was accused last night of a U-turn over a pledge to provide all two-year-olds in Britain with free child care.

Children would spell better if they knew about 'morphemes', say researchers.

Many secondary schools in England are using Saturday classes and extended school days to boost pupils' results.

Plymouth students had a taste of a engineering at a conference run by a city school.

A new garden which has been created for a city primary school has been blessed during an official opening ceremony.

You're supposed to take an apple for your teacher – so what better than for your school to plant its own orchard?

A Plymouth primary which is set to be amalgamated with a neighbouring school is signing off with a good report from independent inspectors.

A Plymouth primary school is striving to achieve Fairtrade status.

Hundreds of school modernisation projects are to start next year after the Government announced it was accelerating up to £800 million capital investment by 12 months.

The new Schools minister advocates a return to single-sex education to get girls more interested in subjects like science and engineering.

Money is to be set aside to refurbish more primary and secondary schools.

We are used to hearing about the problem of bullying. But what if your own child is the bully?

Students' choices of university courses are being shaped by money rather than personal interest, a survey from the National Union of Students suggests.

School performance data comparing different ethnic groups' exam results is fuelling a new kind of racism, an academic is warning.

Primary school pupils are better behaved within the classroom than in the 1970s, says a long-term study by educational psychologists.

Four students have won the Devon and Cornwall round of a national debating competition by arguing that celebrities have a right to privacy from the paparazzi.

Old Priory Junior School in Plympton has completed its 40th birthday celebrations by planting a flowering cherry tree in its grounds.

Top science whiz kids from across Devon and Cornwall recently competed to find out who was the best chemist.

Hundreds of graduates are moving from finance to education, boosting the number of new science teachers to its highest level for 13 years.

Ofsted has raised "major concerns" about the safety of thousands of pupils in private schools that have failed to abide by rules designed to protect children in their care from abuse.

The annual report of children's services inspectorate Ofsted showed some English local authorities had "inadequate" child protection, it has emerged.

Ministers are planning to force single parents to look for a job once their youngest child hits 12, or risk losing their benefits.

Pupils at a Plymouth primary school have released blue balloons to mark the end of Anti-Bullying Week.

Choosing a baby buggy from the bewildering choice of three-wheelers, sports models and off-roaders is, for many parents, as stressful and expensive as buying a small car.

Cornwall College Saltash is throwing open its doors to potential students looking for a vocational course.

Tens of thousands of GCSE students have faced confusion because of a printing error in a physics exam.

Fewer children are living in poverty and academic achievement is rising, according to a report examining the well-being of young people in Wales.

Plymouth schools are using art to help children who are being bullied.

Twelve schools, a pre-school and 11 childminders in and around Plymouth have been named as top of the class by the national education watchdog.

Nearly a quarter of 11-year-olds are failing to reach the expected level in maths at the end of primary school, according to a report from the National Audit Office that says the Labour government's drive to improve the nation's mathematical skills has "levelled off".

Bad quality services in deprived areas make things worse, says chief inspector.

An alternative company has been lined up to take over the delivery of the delay-hit education maintenance allowances, BBC News has learnt.

Plans to give free school meals to Scots pupils in the first three years of primary school are likely to pass a crucial test, despite ongoing concerns.

Lessons are not learnt from instances of serious child abuse and death in England because many case reviews are inadequate, inspectors have said.

The headteacher of a Plymouth school says television talent show judges set a bad example to children by being unkind to performers.

Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls today announced the Government will introduce new legislation to ensure that multi-agency Children’s Trust Boards are operating in every local authority area.

Children’s mental health services will be radically improved by a package of measures including a National Advisory Council and the roll-out of extra support for children in schools, Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced today.

Differences in how male and female brains work mean single-sex schooling will make a comeback, a leading headmistress says.

Schoolchildren have always been inventive when it comes to excuses for not handing in their homework - and now they are increasingly blaming technology, a new survey revealed today.

The Conservative Party is promising to link exams in England to an international benchmark to ensure standards are maintained.

The Diploma qualification, introduced this autumn, will need "significant adjustments" if it is going to gain popularity, says a college leader.

Schools are being urged to teach pupils about infection control as experts step up the fight against superbugs.

Every area of England is to be covered by a Children's Trust Board (CTB), the government has announced.

Children from a Plymouth primary school are to be honoured with a national prize in memory of Princess Diana – for running an anti-bullying campaign starring a toy triceratops.

Parachuting headteachers in to act as consultants or executive heads in schools that are struggling has had a remarkably positive effect on performance, research reveals.

One in four children are bullied because of their faith, a study has found, as the Tories criticised local authorities for not expelling more bad pupils.

There were only 90 children permanently excluded from school for bullying last year in England, according to figures released by the Conservatives.

Children at one of Plymouth's largest primary schools have celebrated the official opening of a new classroom block – to replace mouldy huts.

A Plymouth primary is a good school which overcomes major challenges to help its pupils succeed, according to independent inspectors.

Children are more at risk of being bullied in their own homes than in the playground due to the rise of cyber-bullying, an IT expert claims.

Children entered into the spirit of the Blitz recently by visiting an old air raid shelter in West Park.

Children as young as nine have come face to face with some of Plymouth's biggest employers to learn what skills they need in today's jobs market.

The short, sharp Ofsted inspections present a "superficial snapshot" of England's schools and rely too much on test and exam results, a report claims.

Pupils have been to see their new school taking shape as part of a new £8million campus to replace classrooms dating back to the 1930s and 1940s.

The lives of pupils and teachers are being put at risk because the Government is "burying its head in the sand" over the dangers of asbestos in as many as 13,000 schools, MPs and medical experts have warned.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls announced today, at the launch of anti-bullying week, a clampdown on the bullying of children who have special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities with the launch of a film for school pupils.

Learners will collect credits and build up tailor-made vocational qualifications.

Failures with delivering education allowances are still unresolved - and a leading college principal says ministers must have "lost their grip".

Girls won prizes in everything from exam success to promoting the cause of women in society at their school's awards evening.

Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes today announced a ‘Think Fathers’ campaign to dispel the myth that dads are the ‘invisible parent’.

Young people tell us what can be done to stamp out prejudice.

Four Devon and Cornwall schools have joined forces as a new centre of excellence for the teaching of all things Chinese – from the Mandarin language to cookery and even Kung Fu.

Two more schools have been given the go-ahead to teach the globally-recognised International Baccalaureate diploma from next September.

Hundreds of schools in England classed as satisfactory by inspectors could do better, ministers say, and are to be urged to stretch their pupils more.

Disabled teenagers looking to the future after leaving full-time education are invited to an event organised by the city council tomorrow.

Plymouth education chiefs are to receive nearly £9 million from the Government to refurbish and rebuild primary schools.

A headteacher who suspended pupils 478 times in a single year has defended her zero-tolerance approach to discipline after results at the school dramatically improved.

Hundreds of primary schools in England will be rebuilt, as ministers release £1.75bn for approved building work.

Children have moved into brand new classrooms as part of a £1.5 million project to provide new buildings for a Plymouth primary school.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families has today taken a big step towards keeping children safe across the country with over £1.6 million grant for practical safety education for children.

A new report on educating autistic children finds schools unable to cope and parents frustrated.

White working class pupils should be given the same focused help as ethnic minorities have received, a study says.

New Government figures published today show a downward trend in youth crime in England for 2007-8 , with 10,000 fewer young people compared with last year receiving a first reprimand, warning or sentence in a criminal court.

Ministers are planning a radical new approach to helping struggling primary schools improve after fierce criticism of the way they have tackled the problem in secondary schools.

The number of failing nurseries in the poorest areas of England has nearly doubled in the past year, while there has been a marked improvement in the wealthiest districts, figures show.

John Kitto Community College has recently brought in an 'out of this world' learning tool.

John Kitto Community College has changed its uniform from a black fleece to a navy blue blazer with the school's emblem on the pocket.

A new children's centre has opened with a party for families.

Two new schools were officially opened in Southway when special guest Gill Camp, with the help of pupils, cut the ribbons of Oakwood and Beechwood primary schools.

The senior civil servant responsible for developing the Government's flagship academy schools programme has quit – fuelling new doubts about the future of the scheme.

77 Local Authorities [including Plymouth] will receive additional funding of £25k each to provide activities on Friday and Saturday nights in neighbourhoods where crime and anti-social behaviour are a concern, Beverley Hughes Children and Young People’s Minister announced today on a visit to Bolton Lads and Girls club.

Two-thirds of teenagers do not believe science qualifications would help them to have rewarding careers.

Twenty-nine per cent of teachers believe that creationism and intelligent design should be taught as science, according to an online survey of attitudes to teaching evolution in the UK.

Every secondary school is to get a Holocaust specialist to ensure that the subject is taught comprehensively and sensitively.

Head teachers' leaders say that teachers' fears about restraining violent pupils is behind the suspension of three and four-year-olds.

Children's Minister Beverley Hughes today called on parents across the country to demant more out of hours activities at their local schools.

Computer games in maths lessons? One school has found they bring dramatic results.

There were 1,500 suspensions of children aged four and under in England in the past year, figures show.

Special needs students have moved into what is being hailed as the greenest school in the country.

Poorly performing schools are to receive extra funding and will be spared having to take disruptive pupils, Ed Balls said yesterday.

The introduction of teaching assistants into classrooms is improving pupils' achievement and wellbeing, school inspectors said in a report today.

Teachers in England and Wales will not stage further strike action over pay this year, after a close ballot.

An after-school club has moved to new premises following the half-term break.

Complaints from parents about the way school places are allocated have more than doubled in the last year, suggesting increasing disenchantment with the way school choice operates.

More struggling schools will be able to turn away new pupils during the school year if they are disruptive, under improvement plans announced by the schools secretary today.

Teenagers in England should not be getting financial bonuses for attending classes and handing in schoolwork on time, the Liberal Democrats say.

Increasing numbers of school children are suffering from bad backs because of ill-fitting chairs, a report says.

City College Plymouth is encouraging prospective students to 'take their next steps to a brighter future' by launching its new directory of full-time courses for 2009 and 2010.

Switched-on pupils as young as 10 have impressed education inspectors by using computers to create their own cartoon characters.

An Estover nursery school has launched a weekly dance class aimed at making fitness fun for youngsters.

The library service in Plymouth is running a series of beginners' sessions on creative writing.

England's school admissions watchdog has said no system will ever give all parents their first choice of school.

Teenagers from three Plymouth schools will be getting a frank talk about drugs this week, when a 'drugs bus' visits the city.

Young drivers were given top tips as part of a road safety education event.

A Plymouth student won a national photography competition and had her picture exhibited at a prestigious gallery.

An independent education watchdog has approved a decision by Plymouth education chiefs to send Devonport children to Stoke Damerel Community College from next September.

Ed Balls has welcomed a range of innovative, voluntary, private and public sector pilots for teaching excluded pupils and intervening early to prevent the need for exclusion.

A new source of support that will help local authorities and their Children’s Trust partners improve the lives of children, young people and their families has been announced by Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes today.

Children from Wembury near Plymouth have re-lived the emotional wartime experience of evacuees during a special trip to the country.

A Plymouth primary school has launched an award in the name of Falklands veteran Simon Weston.

Places are still available for the Chaucer Primary School Final Ball at Boringdon Hall.

The Friends of Hele's School are holding a festive fare on Tuesday November 11.

A dozen young people from Plymouth have been nominated for a national award by employment charity Tomorrow's People.

Primary school pupils should have specialist teachers for subjects such as sport and music instead of having just one class teacher, a major review of primary schooling will recommend next month.

Parents are increasingly employing lawyers to pursue a place at their child's chosen school, legal firms say.

All pupils in state schools will now receive high quality lessons in everything from first aid and personal finance to relationships and the consequences of drugs misuse as Schools Ministers announced that Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) will become a compulsory part of the curriculum from Key Stage 1 to 4 (ages 5 to 16).

Nearly half of England's teachers think pupil behaviour has deteriorated in their school in the past five years, a survey for the government suggests.

Fewer secondary school students in Plymouth are missing lessons, new figures show.

Pupils at Chaucer Primary School have spent a week 'reaching for the stars' to find out about the range of work opportunities available to them when they are older.

Children as young as nine came face to face with some of Plymouth's biggest businesses to learn what skills they need in today's jobs market.

Children from Woodlands Special School in Plymouth have taken part in a world record bid.

Children at a city primary are ringing the changes with a double win for the school's handbell and cross country teams.

The final Harvest festival at South Trelawny Primary School has taken place.

School governors are invited to a meeting to talk about the future for young people in Plymouth.

More than 60 children with designs on Plymouth were inspired to create a new city skyline at an event to get them to try their hand at architectural drawing.

Spotting and treating learning difficulties early is vital for children's mental wellbeing, a government report has found.

A controversial scheme under which secondary schools in England with exam results below a minimum level face closure is to be extended to primaries.

Plymouth headteachers today called on the Government to scrap primary school tests for 11-year-olds.

Schools minister Jim Knight today announced appointments to the board of Partnerships for Schools that had been made during 2008.

A council plans to ban new takeaways opening within 400 metres of schools, youth centres and parks to help combat child obesity and promote healthy eating.

There has been an increase of 7,000 in the number of primary age pupils in England identified as "persistent absentees", the latest figures show.

The first 20,000 youngsters to benefit from plans to ensure all of England's school-age children have computer access at home have been earmarked.

Plymouth students are to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice by investigating the cases of prisoners who protest their innocence.

Hundreds of young people visited a city college as it threw open its doors to potential students.

Persuading youngsters to adopt a healthy lifestyle could not be more crucial than in Glasgow, where the gap in life expectancy between the poorest and most affluent areas is a staggering 28 years.

"Eyes closed, take a deep breath through the nose, hold it and breathe out through the mouth," the teacher tells the class. "Now think of that place that makes you feel happy and relaxed."

Increasing numbers of trainee teachers are having to re-sit the basic maths tests they must pass to qualify.

Efforts to encourage more teachers to consider headship are paying off, a survey suggests.

Thousands of schoolchildren have been given Cornish-language books to spark interest in the county's heritage.

Cornwall College Saltash is throwing open its doors on Saturday for budding students looking for the right vocational course.

Cadets from Plymouth underwent their regular two-year inspection by a senior RAF officer, who was left "very impressed".

Snow White and Harry Potter rubbed shoulders as a school celebrated its Book Week with a day of dressing up.

Parents are facing an intense battle for school places this year because of steep rises in applications from families who have been put off private schools in the economic downturn.

A large increase in the number of parents who give false addresses to get their children into high-performing schools has prompted a crackdown on cheats by councils and schools.

Upgraded plans for a £39 million school super-campus were given the green light by city planners last night.

Children brought up in Wales are less likely to be smacked by their parents than those in any other part of the UK, says a study released today.

Up to 70 schools on the Government's underperforming "hit list" will be closed within two years and turned into privately-sponsored academies, The Independent has learnt.

Boys are two months behind girls on average in their verbal skills and learning ability by their first day of school, a nationwide study of thousands of five-year-olds has found.

Every state school gets a grade from A to F in a new 'no-excuses' ranking system.

Girls already have a well-established educational lead over boys by the time they start school, a study claims.

This year's GCSE statistics for England show another increase in the number of pupils getting five good GCSEs including maths and English.

More sport is being played in England's schools and ministers say this is due to a move away from an anti-competitive sport culture of the 1980s and 1990s.

Children in Plymouth primary schools are being urged to 'power up' and celebrate International Walk To School Month.

Young artists at Ugborough Primary School were thrilled when a famous Plymouth painter came along to help them with their work.

The Stonehouse Out of School Club is moving home.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls has announced a package of measures to empower parents with children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced today that the Government plans to introduce a new School Report Card, to give parents a new, simpler and more comprehensive way of understanding schools’ performance and achievements.

There was a 9.7% rise in the number of full-time undergraduates starting UK higher education courses this year.

Poor parenting is to blame for a major deterioration in the behaviour of primary school pupils over the past five years, a study suggests today.

A ban on pupils having sugar in their cups of tea in a school canteen has been lifted, and replaced with a two spoonfuls-only rule.

National tests for 14-year-old school pupils in England are to be scrapped, following this summer's Sats marking "shambles".

More than 3,000 visitors are expected at the University of Plymouth's open day on Saturday.

Apprenticeships are no longer a model for vocational education and training, but have become just another scheme for meeting government targets for stay-on rates and qualifications, according to a study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.

Almost two-thirds of the early waves of school rebuilding projects in England are behind schedule, figures obtained by the Conservatives show.

Pupils with learning disabilities would like safe areas in school to counter their vulnerability between lessons and at break times, a report has said.

A shortage of governors means 40,000 unfilled places on bodies overseeing schools in England, a study suggests.

Pre-school programming has undergone a boom in recent years thanks to series such as Teletubbies and In The Night Garden and dedicated channels such as the BBC's CBeebies.

The Phrase "it's not cricket" is reverberating again around state school classrooms. Good old-fashioned cricketing values have prompted an improvement in behaviour in schools, according to the evaluation of a project to promote the sport in schools to be published later this week.

The Tories today called for an independent inquiry into delayed education maintenance allowance (EMA) payments.

The world's largest ever longitudinal study of households launches today. The £15.5m government-funded study will allow social scientists to research vital issues facing communities in Britain.

An independent inquiry must be held into the problems hitting this year's pupil allowances, the Tories have said.

Construction equipment company JCB is to sponsor an academy which will specialise in teaching Diplomas in engineering and construction.

Five classroom heroes from in and around Plymouth are gearing up for the glitzy star-studded Teacher of the Year awards on Sunday.

Pupils at a Plymouth special school are pictured above spending a day with a group of South African students learning about life on another continent.

Bookworms and busy bees went wild during a city school's reading week.

School Gate: What you need to know before your child starts Reception.

Grammar schools take relatively fewer bright, poor pupils than schools that do not select by ability, a study says.

A new reading project has got off to a flying start at Cornwood Primary School.

The makers of Marmite said it was "disappointing" a council has decided to impose a ban on the spread at their school breakfast clubs.

Gordon Brown yesterday insisted that the £500bn bail-out for the banks would not lead to cuts in health or schools spending.

A radical new approach to teaching music that gets pupils to "jam" like rock stars has led to a sharp rise in the number of children wanting to take GCSE music.

Half of England's schools which control who they admit have been breaking the law on admissions, a survey suggests.

Schools in England are to be held to account on a wide range of measures of pupil well-being.

Plans for a new £35million education 'supercampus' at Estover look set to be approved by Plymouth City Council.

A Plymouth special school has been given £350 worth of new books thanks to local businesses.

Universities and colleges can now access 3,000 hours of historic newsreels and 10 million still pictures.

Oxford Street / Pilgrim School is inviting all former pupils and parents to a reunion this weekend.

The days of children reading traditional books are numbered, claims the man spearheading a campaign to improve literacy in schools.

A school looks likely to be given the go-ahead to build a two-storey classroom extension after overcoming the objections of planning officers about the loss of car parking spaces.

You built our school – now will you sponsor our football team?

Hundreds of thousands of England's teenagers are still awaiting payments of their educational maintenance allowances, the government says.

It may be hard to imagine but the 20 or so pupils in the French lesson are bursting to ask their teacher a question. After all, languages are boring and that is why so many pupils have given them up.

Andrew Adonis, the main architect of the Government's flagship academy schools programme, has been moved out of his job, prompting claims from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that the future of the project is in jeopardy.

Schools are being given advice on how to prevent pupils becoming drawn to violent extremism and terrorism.

Students just 'regurgitate knowledge' warns head of inquiry into exams reform.

A muti-million pound masterplan which could change the face of almost every school in Plymouth over the next 15 years looks set to receive the backing of the city council.

In the current climate, is a drive to get more young people to consider a job in finance doomed to fail?

Hundreds of mainstream independent schools are failing to cater for pupils with special needs, even though almost a fifth of children fall into this category, research suggests.

Naughty or shy pupils who use the back of the classroom as a haven for daydreaming or mischief could be in for a nasty shock if a teaching scheme being adopted by a leading educationalist takes off.

England's new Diplomas can provide a commendable way to integrate academic and vocational study, MPs have said.

A third of students who started university since fees were introduced in 1998 are earning too little to make repayments on their loans, ministers have admitted.

A colleague recently told me that one of his friends had persuaded his children not to go to university, on the grounds that a degree wouldn't make up for the debt they would be burdened with by the end of their course.

An MP has helped students at a city school find their voice.

David Cameron should look at what's really going on in our education system if he is serious about mending our 'broken society'.

Students in West Devon are being given the chance to try everything from archery to fishing as part of a national scheme promising five hours of physical activity a week.

Staff and pupils at a primary school where the children speak 26 languages have turned to sign language to ease their communication problems.

A primary school has stopped carrying out spelling tests because children find them distressing.

Plymouth headteachers say they have laid to rest the threat of closure hanging over six schools after a visit by Secretary of State Ed Balls.

Youngsters had that certain je ne sais quoi as they celebrated European Languages Day.

Pupils at a Plymouth special school spent a day with a group of South African students learning about life on another continent.

Plympton Hele's School has celebrated its milestone 350th anniversary with a special commemorative service.

Students and staff have been celebrating the launch of new hi-tech facilities for teaching electronic engineers at City College Plymouth.

A radical plan to confront disruptive pupils with their victims has cut exclusion levels in some of the country's toughest schools by as much as half.

All pupils will receive free meals in the first three years of primary school, the Scottish Government has announced.

Pupils who have studied vocational A-levels are less likely to go to leading universities and more likely to drop out, a study says.

Pupils must not be denied school trips because teachers fear being sued if things go wrong, says the government.

Ninety primary pupils really used their heads when asked to create hats for a school recycling day.

Students were given a taste of Europe when they made German biscuits.

Independent schools get better results than state schools because they have the freedom to tailor teaching to the needs of their pupils, researchers say.

A common genetic variant may be partly to blame for poor reading ability, research suggests.

Staff and students at Hele's School have marked a global day for peace by planting a tree to start a major wildlife project.

This year's primary school "league tables" in England will be published next March - three months late, the government has announced.

More school pupils are being encouraged to join the cadets and experience the discipline of a military life.

Survey reports that boys find male primary school teachers more approachable and an inspiration to work harder.

Toddlers became guests of honour at the official opening of the Crownlands Children's Centre.

As The Times launches the first National Spelling Bee championship for schools, we look at the fascination of spelling and why it still matters.

A new internet watchdog has been launched to help protect children from "harmful" web content, such as cyber-bullying and violent video games.

Students and city firms are being invited to a media business event at the University of Plymouth.

A Family Learning Festival kicks off in Plymouth on Saturday with a fun day at the Central Library.

School has many pleasures, for parents and children alike. Unfortunately, it also has rather a lot of negatives. One of the most irritating of these has got to be headlice.

Teaching is becoming an increasingly female-dominated profession with men making up fewer than one in four new recruits, official figures revealed yesterday.

Essays show 11-year-olds view final year of primary school as a time of anxiety and gloom.

Nearly 800 children will have a better idea of how to escape a burning house, or approach a strange dog, after a trip through Hazard Alley.

There is "no quantified evidence" about whether threatening to close schools affects their pupils' performance, the National Audit Office says.

A daily dose of computer games can boost maths attainment, according to a study carried out in Scottish schools.

Half of adults in the UK have forgotten the languages they learned at school, a survey suggests.

The number of primary and nursery school vacancies in England rose by nearly a third over a year.

A dozen young 'neets' helped build a sand pit and decorate a wall at a Plymouth children's centre.

A Cornish community college has been given the go-ahead to adopt trust status – a pioneering but controversial initiative to enlist the help of outside bodies in running the school.

The schools secretary Ed Balls today promised new plans to protect children from bullies and to strengthen parents' rights to make complaints about their child's education, in a speech desig