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Missing children New statistics from the Department for Education (DfE) have revealed that pupil absenteeism has increased by 28 per cent in one academic year (2022/23 vs 2023/24). The information in the report is based on Elective Home Education and Children Missing Education data. The collection from local authorities started in autumn 2022, and the proportion of local authorities providing data reached 100 per cent for the first time in autumn 2024. Russell Hobby, CEO of Teach First, said: “The dramatic rise in children missing from education poses a grave challenge. The longer this trend continues, the more we fail to give young people the best start in life.” Read more at tinyurl.com/tp-Missing24 www.teachwire.net | 9 I N EVERY I SSUE Look ahead | Book ahead Q & A Laugh out loud Scholastic UK has announced the winners of The Lollies Awards 2024. Celebrating the funniest children’s books of the past year voted for by children, the awards include spots including picturebooks, non-fiction, and poetry. Former Children’s Laureate and Lollies’ ambassador, Michael Rosen, said: “This is the moment when you can boost children’s love of reading: a brand-new tranche of funny books, hitting the button, triggering giggles and laughs. Unmissable!” Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock Space scientist and presenter 1.What was primary school like for you? I actually went to 13 different schools, because my parents broke up when I was young. On top of that, I was pretty disengaged with school, because I have dyslexia – which wasn’t diagnosed until my 40s – so I think some teachers just assumed I wasn’t very academic. My parents come fromNigeria, and my dad, especially, emphasised the importance of education, so I felt I’d failed with that until much later in my school career. 2.Whatmade youwant to study physics at sucha high level? I’ve always been an incredibly curious person, which is often a dyslexic trait. I think of dyslexia as my superpower now, and being an explorer, physics really appealed to me. I love the fact that physics is essentially the study of everything, and within it we’re pushing the edges of knowledge. I also can’t remember a time where I wasn’t fascinated with space – Lt. Uhura from Star Trek was a real role model for me! 3. Do you think the prevalence of womenand girls inSTEMis improving? I do, but too slowly. One of the reasons I like to go to schools to speak to people, is because I’ve heard ‘girls don’t do physics’ so much, which obviously isn’t true. So I just try and smash those stereotypes whenever possible. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock has worked extensively with BBC Education, helping to create science content. For BBC Bitesize primary resources, see bbc.co.uk/bitesize/primary *Bett UK of educators who have used AI report a decrease in their workload* 32% BEAT THE SCAMMERS Join BBC Education for a UK-wide Live Lesson for Safer Internet Day at 11am on Tuesday 11 February covering scams, phishing and much more. See bbc.co.uk/teach LONDON BOOK FAIR From 11-13 March in Olympia, LBF features Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Jamie Smart as Children’s Author of the Day and first ever Creative of the Fair. See londonbookfair.co.uk ©Matt Alexander/ PA Media Assignments THIS YEAR’S WINNERS WERE: Best picturebook: I Did See a Mammoth! by Alex Willmore Best book for ages 6–8: Bunny vs Monkey: Machine Mayhem! by Jamie Smart Best book for ages 9–12: How to Survive Time Travel by Larry Hayes and illustrated by Katie Abey Best for teens: You’re Not the Boss of Me! by Catherine Wilkins Best non-fiction book: Cats: Understanding Your Whiskered Friend by Dr John Bradshaw and illustrated by Clare Elsom Best poetry book: The Gecko and the Echo by Rachel Bright and illustrated by Jim Field Illustrator of the year: Jamie Smart Find free accompanying resources at tinyurl.com/tp-Lollies2024
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