News & Views The Toxic School Run Children in the UK are being forced to breathe dangerous levels of toxic air on their way to and from school and whilst in the playground, according to new research. A study by Unicef and Queen Mary University in London reveals that young children are absorbing a disproportionate amount of tiny black carbon particles during the school day with potentially devastating health consequences. Exposure to the these particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, bloodstream and even the brain, stunt lung and brain growth
and cause long term breathing conditions, is generally higher at school than when children are at home. Unicef UK estimates that one in three children are growing up in places in the UK with unsafe levels of particulate pollution. It is calling on the government to take urgent action to protect children from toxic air before irreversible damage is done to their health and their futures. More info at www.unicef.org.uk/clean-airchild-health-air-pollution
Schools that Ban Mobile Phones Improve Results Should children be allowed to take mobile phones to school? Opinion is divided. Some advocate a complete ban because of the potential for distraction, while others promote the use of phones as a teaching tool in the classroom. Schools in England and Scotland have complete autonomy regarding their mobile phone policy, which has resulted in large differences in the timing of the introduction of bans. Schools that ban pupils from carrying mobile phones show a
sustained improvement in exam results, with the biggest advances coming from struggling students, according to research published by the London School of Economics. The large-scale study found schools in Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester that banned mobiles enjoyed a boost in the proportion of pupils getting five good passes at GCSE, compared with schools that allowed pupils to keep their phones, even if switched off. More info at www.lse.ac.uk
Spin a Tale during National Storytelling Week
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The first week of February marks National Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world. We are all immersed in stories — from conversations during which we retell events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows. Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs firstly to be a good speaker and listener.
Above all though, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary. National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes. To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive, visit www.sfs.org.uk
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