When you look back at your own childhood, what is it, that you remember? We’ll each have our own answers, of course, but I suspect that a common thread will be having the time and space to play.

Indulge yourself for a moment. Wasn’t it wonderful when you could spend hours immersed in a make-believe world, often shared with friends, that created dens out of gaps in a bush, ravines out of ditches and kingdoms out of carefully-positioned rocks??

A teacher who "improved" her pupils' GCSE course work to make a good impression in her new job has been barred from teaching for four years. Helen Wyn Bowen was teaching maths to a group of 16 students at Ysgol Preseli in Crymych, Pembrokeshire.

Academies expelled pupils at twice the rate of other secondary schools last year, official figures have revealed. The numbers have not been included previously in the annual exclusion statistics, and were not in the set issued last month for the year 2005-06.

Children in poorer areas are twice as likely to have televisions in their rooms as those in affluent areas, a National Consumer Council survey found. Some 550 children aged nine to 13 filled in researchers' questionnaires.

The government is being urged to take stock of its academies programme before building any more of the state-funded independent schools.

A teacher who "throttled" a pupil aged five while holding him against a classroom wall has been struck off. A General Teaching Council of Wales panel upheld claims of unacceptable conduct and serious incompetence against Benjamin Warner, 36.

A schools adjudicator has rejected parents' objections to a lottery system which allocates some Brighton secondary school places. Canon Richard Lindley concluded that "a greater degree of justice" was likely to result from the new arrangements.

Children should be allowed to throw snowballs and play outdoors and should not be "wrapped in cotton wool", Schools Secretary Ed Balls has said.

The government has announced how it aims to boost Britain's skills base with a partnership between business and education providers. Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, said the aim was to make the UK a world leader in skills by 2020.

Pupils in primary and secondary schools across England lack an overview of world history and have little sense of chronology, Ofsted inspectors warn.

Teachers should make more use of the skills and experiences of grandparents as working parents struggle to get involved in education, inspectors say. In a survey of 25 schools, Ofsted inspectors found grandparents had a "positive influence" on pupils' behaviour, motivation and achievement.

The smallest school in Britain is closing its doors for the last time. Cross Inn school, which opened near Aberystwyth in Ceredigion in 1855, now has just two pupils.

By the age of seven more than a quarter of boys need special help with their education, the latest figures show. Is there something inherently wrong with a large chunk of one of the sexes - or are primary schools simply letting boys down?

One in five young teenagers say that their friends are carrying knives and weapons, says a major annual survey of schoolchildren's health and wellbeing.

The children of wealthier parents, particularly those with working mothers, are more likely to be obese or overweight, a study says. Researchers at the Institute of Child Health in London followed 13,000 children to the age of three.

Schools are being given official guidelines to clarify how they can use and store pupils' biometric information, such as fingerprints. There are schools which use biometric systems for registration, meal payments and for taking books from libraries.

Academies, the controversial "independent state schools", are proving popular with parents, says an ongoing progress report. Each year, PriceWaterhouseCoopers management consultancy evaluates academies for the government.

The number of prescriptions handed out to children under 16 for depression and mental health disorders has quadrupled in a decade, official figures indicate. GPs in England wrote more than 631,000 such prescriptions for children in the last financial year, compared to just 146,000 in the mid-1990s.

Male teachers can have a positive impact on the behaviour of primary school boys, a survey suggests. The Training and Development Agency for Schools wants to encourage more men to apply to become primary teachers.

Bedtime stories are proving a struggle for many parents who are not confident readers, says a survey from adult learning agency Learndirect. More than 10% of the 1,000 parents asked had struggled to understand some words in the stories they had read to their five to 10-year-old children.

Pupils should be able to get into top universities by taking the new Diplomas instead of the traditional Alevels, Schools Secretary Ed Balls has said. Mr Balls admitted there was "a lot of work" to do to make sure the launch of Diplomas next year is a success.

Bogus schools and colleges are to be targeted in a new drive to bring down the number of fake students being given visas to come to the UK. A registration scheme is to be replaced from 2009 by a requirement that private colleges outside the public review system obtain formal accreditation.

Pupils want their schools to use renewable energy sources and rainwater resources, a survey finds. The poll of 850 13 to 15-yearolds in England found 81% backed the use of these forms of energy in schools.

Money from unused bank accounts is to be used by the government to provide a "youth centre in every town". The scheme is part of the government's 10-year strategy for young people which is due to be unveiled by Children's Minister Beverly Hughes.

Teenagers could learn about the psychology behind gambling addiction as part of a planned new A-level course. The OCR exam board wants to introduce the topic to its psychology A-level in a bid to make exams more relevant.

We have a new Prime Minister, and with him, of course, comes a new education policy. Like all new bosses, Gordon Brown is eager to stamp his authority on the job and bring new people to key positions.

Droitwich based combustion specialist Nu-way is working with Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to reduce carbon emissions in schools across the county. Nu-way, which earlier this year announced its entry into the renewable energy market, is operating a biodiesel heating development and replacement trial in conjunction with WCC’s property services department.

The School of Educational Administration – the body set up with the aid of government funding to pioneer the training and development of the work of school administrators – is launching a new two-month distance learning training programme in Educational Work Management and Administration.

In the academic year 2006/7 UCAS reported that 77% of the students who applied to university were offered a place. However Apply2Uni – the organisation that works with schools to help students put together their application documents and prepare for interview – reports that 94% of the students it worked with were granted a place.

Pre-school children just love the soft forms, fun and safety of Lollipop by washroom provider, Armitage Venesta. Specify this free-standing system in a choice of 42 colours and five fantastic screen prints - and continue the fun with matching vanities. Privacy is assured with two door height options.

The National Coal Mining Museum for England preserves the heritage of the English coalfields and so learning lies at the very heart of the Museum.

Young people and teachers from Peases West Primary School in Billy Row, County Durham – a Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland 'School of Innovation' have been working with two Landscape Architects from Newcastle-based landscape and urban design practice Colour: Urban Design Limited (UDL) to deliver an intensive exploratory programme aimed at encouraging the educational and physical benefits of learning outdoors; and to enable them to become heavily involved in the creative redesign of their school grounds.

This October, over _ million school children can enjoy 1,750 FREE schools screenings and events now programmed into cinemas throughout the UK as part of the 12th National Schools Film Week (NSFW).

A survey reported in the British Medical Journal has found that many highly talented sixth formers see medical school in a very negative light. As a result, potential applicants for places at medical school “greatly underestimate their own chances of gaining a place and staying the course,” according to the report.

Two new deaf friendly resource packs for schools have been produced by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) to ensure that deaf children are fully supported at school and given the chance to reach their true potential.

National accommodation hire specialists, Wernick Hire Ltd has promised to deliver 44 temporary classrooms to ten of the worst affected schools ruined by the flash floods that swept through Hull in June. One school will also be having a 24 metre x 12 metre hall delivered in sections and others will require temporary toilet facilities.

A new, purpose-designed nursery building has been completed at the University of East London, using one of the most sustainable and environmentally efficient methods of construction.

Leading national fenestration contractor Radway has transformed a Harrow Council school art block with the refurbishment of windows and curtain walling using the Sheerframe system from L.B. Plastics.

Anglian Building Products has manufactured and supplied 320 doors and windows to give two schools a brighter future as part of a Durham County Council project.

According the HSE, 55% of all accidents in the education sector are caused by a slip or a trip. 90% of major accidents resulted in a broken bone, causing considerable personal distress and a significant amount of time away from school. And unfortunately it’s a growing problem.

Junckers, Europe’s leading supplier of specialist hardwood sports and multipurpose floors, is collaborating with specialist contractor Willmott Dixon in the ‘Education Building’ at the new BRE Innovation Park.

Enia TecsomTM carpet tiles have been chosen for a new business innovation forum at Salford Innovation Park, next to Salford University, proving that a ‘green’ floor doesn’t have to cost the earth.

Government e-learning initiatives have accelerated ICT expansion, putting information technology at the heart of education. The use of ICT across the curriculum brings learning tools that help teachers to deliver and inspires pupils to engage with their subjects.

It is that time of year again to prepare for the biggest and best technology show in the world, BETT 2008. Taking place from the 9 -12 of January 2008 at London Olympia, this is an absolute must for decision makers in the education sector.

It Joseph’s Primary School is located in Bracknell, Berkshire. The school wanted to improve its current IT equipment and embed ICT throughout the school’s curriculum in order to make its students’ studies a success. The school was also keen to allow pupils and teachers the ability to access the Internet anywhere within the grounds, in order to promote a superior and more flexible teaching and learning approach.

The term ‘lifelong learning’ is used in a variety of ways to highlight the importance of continuous learning – not just at school – but throughout a person’s life in their work and leisure time.

GenevaLogic has launched a number of enhancements to its family of award-winning classroom management software. Already recognized as the easiest and most effective classroom management software available today, Vision is now even easier to use, with a sleeker look and improved tools for managing classroom computers.

The Eastwood School in Essex has discovered that two heads – or even three – are better than one when it comes to creating good lesson plans. As one of the first schools to use the new SIMS Curriculum and Lesson Planner software from Capita Children’s Services, they are experiencing first-hand the huge benefits of creating plans quickly and easily, then sharing lesson materials with other members of staff.

Ecordia, a leading supplier of online learning and eassessment systems, is now extending its capabilities to include, BTECs and University Diplomas – alongside NVQs and Basic/Key Skills. Ecordia has also recently been appointed as a supplier for the Open University.

A - Binary Resource launches version 3.5 of UIU - new Vista compatible version of Binary Resource’s Universal Imaging Utility (UIU) product, manufactured by Big Bang LLC, has been launched in the UK. Taking advantage of the growth of the Windows Vista platform, the new version of UIU works with popular cloning packages such as Ghost, Altiris, Acronis and Zenworks.

VLE Support is launching eTracker, a simple online tool which enables teachers to monitor, assess and analyse their students’ performance, helping them to identify issues and intervene fast. eTracker helps to motivate students by making it easy for them to assess their individual progress against personalised goals. It conforms to RARPA stages.

Developing, revising, and maintaining a school business plan is now a major concern for everyone involved in school management and many Heads, Bursars and business managers now find themselves under considerable pressure to find new ways to plan and come up with truly innovative solutions to recurring questions.

Q) In your opinion, how has the education sector’s use of Audio Visual Equipment changed over the last five years?

It has changed massively. Overhead projectors were still seen as quite advanced five years ago and only the “chosen few” in the private school sector were using PC’s connected to data projectors.

The good old Over Head Projector (OHP) has been in the classroom and lecture theatres for years. It could be used repeatedly throughout the course of a teaching day, everyday, and usually was. Technology is moving fast in the classroom, and new state of the art projector units can be seen within various educational facilities. So why are more and more schools investing money in kitting out their classrooms with these units?

Mitsubishi Electric’s Visual Information Systems division, a leading manufacturer of innovative, high quality display solutions has announced the introduction of a new deinstall/reinstall warranty for both the education and public sector on the XL9U standard and Orange XL9U ultra portable projector.

Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd has launched a range of projectors for the education sector, offering a comprehensive choice in the latest projection technology. All models offer outstanding value and come equipped with full digital projection capability. Three speed colour wheels and sealed optics ensure that the levels of image quality and brightness are at an optimum for a wide range of classroom applications and environments.

As part of its ongoing programme of product improvement, CFS Carpets has increased its Frontier Plus tile range to 18 colours.

Frontier Plus has been fitted in hundreds of locations throughout the UK, over many years. Constructed from 100% Antron nylon yarn for superb performance in high traffic areas, Frontier Plus also offers a high level of anti static protection and passes all the industry standard flammability, static and colourfastness tests.

Faber Blinds is supplying and fitting specialist blinds in 41 schools in the Northampton area. The largest PFI schools contract in the UK, the project includes both refurbishments and new builds.

A new collection of children’s books, ‘Nobby Travels’ aimed at 4-8 year olds, is being launched exclusively via the UK primary schools before going on general release in November. All primary Schools should receive their information pack when they return to school this September.

It’s hard to imagine that the Ultralight staging system from Gopak could get any more advanced. Already highly cost-effective, strong, portable, compact, easy to install and de-rig, and very adaptable – the system is a true market leader.

CFS Carpets has added a 100% nylon loop pile carpet to its broadloom collection. Federation is a heavy contract carpet on textile backing that has been tested to BS EN 1307. Federation is available in 16 colours an has been designed for suitability in commercial locations. Federation passes all the industry standard flammability, static and colourfastness tests and is guaranteed for 10 years of normal wear.

When Steve Morris of Gloucester-based Trinity Art Products Ltd came across Sagetech's Koolkut vertical panel saw range at the 2006 W6 show, he realised that he had found the tool he needed to dramatically cut wastage and improve profits.

Looking for washrooms that are safe, secure yet also stimulating? Then discover the choice for secondary schools and universities that only Armitage Venesta can offer.

In July 2007 the government invented a new educational concept: Catch-Up Time, and promised that 25% of the time now devoted to the national curriculum will be liberated for teachers to run “Catch up” programmes. Catch-up time is intended for students who need one-to-one help in maths. The only problem is, no one has worked out how schools can afford one-to-one tuition on such a scale.

Digital Signage Specialist, ONELAN, introduces the 3300/5 Net-Top-Box with more processing ability to power its complex functions. ONELAN’s Net-Top-Box (NTB) is a selfcontained system running the ultra-reliable Linux operating system with built-in interfaces for communicating with data sources and live television and video feeds.

Kendata Peripherals has introduced a new software utility that will significantly reduce the amount of time spent by teachers and lecturers on the marking of multiple-choice exams.

Companies who greet their customers with worn, inefficient and grubby entrance matting, loosely fitted into damp floor recesses, can now take the low cost option of filling in the well and replacing the mat with an attractive and safe fixed frame mat, either the same size or larger than the original, at a fraction of the cost of re-digging and replacing the original style matting.

Kite folding furniture and bespoke audio visual systems supplied by Saville have helped Scarman House Conference Centre, part of Warwick Conferences at the University of Warwick, to win a prestigious national award.

A windowless staff room in a Victorian school building near Norwich has been transformed into a bright, attractive environment thanks to two Solatube Daylighting Systems from SolaLighting Limited. Brooke VC Primary School recently installed the Solatube systems that ‘pipe’ natural light from roofmounted domes into the room below.

by Warwick Mansell
Methuen Publishing Ltd
hardback £19.99

Is educationalists are actively debating how relentlessly testing pupils can misfire, this important new book explores a major issue for both children and parents.

by Terry Mahony
Crown House Publishing
paperback £12.99

The only book to focus on the use of language models to improve classroom management, it offers a large repertoire of linguistic approaches to improve communication between teacher and pupil.