A new Ofsted report says programmes for gifted and talented pupils are not elitist. Inspectors say schools that ensure all students are suitably challenged find that all pupils benefit. The report does, however, raise doubts about the effectiveness of some provision.

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Local authorities have been given a new role in backing growing industries to support future economic success. A new national framework has been drawn up to coordinate the work of councils and the Regional Development Agencies to pursue national priorities for skills, innovation and investment and to promote industries that will drive growth.

Under the proposals RDAs and councils will collaborate more closely to build on their local strengths and to ensure that any public money that is invested is targeted at projects where it can have the most impact. The plans follow the publication earlier this year of the ‘New Industry, New Jobs’ strategy which set out the need for all government action to be supportive of business.

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The greatest health risks that children face today are obesity, mental ill health and sexual problems. Schools are the obvious place to do something about countering these risks and this article explains how the healthy schools initiative is supporting teachers to tackle these problems.

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