Expensive design and technology equipment is lying unused in some schools because of a lack of specialist teachers. A report today from Ofsted says that while design and technology is the most popular GCSE foundation subject there needs to be a national development plan to drive improvements.

Read more on OFSTED URGES IMPROVEMENTS IN DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY…

A local government think tank has begun a consultation process which is designed to refocus public services towards the citizen. The consultation paper, ‘Getting to the heart of local accountability’, has been produced by the Local Government Information Unit and suggests there should be a single commissioning process for all local public services.

Read more on CALL FOR COUNCILS TO CONTROL LOCAL HEALTH AND POLICE…

Research funded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the Health and Safety Executive and Investors in People has led to the development of a competency framework setting out the key management behaviours for managing stress at work.

Read more on STRESS: TIPS FOR MANAGERS…