Most adults support a ban on advertising unhealthy food to children
- A new YouGov survey for the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) has found that 79% of people support a TV ban of unhealthy food to children and 81% support a similar online ban.
- The collection of charities and health organisers, including the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Diabetes UK and Cancer Research UK is calling on the Government to increase its commitment in tackling obesity.
- 79% think the Government should be doing more to make sure healthy food is affordable during the cost-of-living crisis.
- A spokeswoman for the Department of Health has said that they have recently announced “£20 million to trial new obesity treatments and technologies”.
- They have also stated about the introduction of “restrictions banning adverts on TV for foods and drinks high in fat, salt, or sugar before 9pm, as well as paid-for adverts online”.
- For more, please visit Yahoo’s website.
Safeguarding concerns rising, say 3 in 4 school staff
- A survey from Tes of over 1,200 school staff has found almost three quarters (73%) feel there are more safeguarding concerns being raised than this time last year.
- Nearly two fifths (39%) of respondents did not feel there was sufficient guidance for schools overall on dealing with allegations of sexual harassment and violence.
- One in four (25%) said they don’t think pupils feel safe at school.
- These findings come after a government report last year found teachers feel “powerless” over pupil safety and safeguarding was hampered by a lack of communication with children’s social care services.
- For the full story, go to the Tes website.
Divided education report branded flawed and over simplified by department
- The Department of Education (DE) has called a report funded by the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) and published under Ulster University (UU), “flawed and over simplified”.
- The report examined the cost of segregated education in NI and estimated the divided school system costs £226m extra a year.
- The report ex the cost of things such as additional school transport and the cost of programmes to bring children educated separately together.
- The research was criticised by the Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC), saying its findings were “flawed, undermining their reliability, validity, and credibility.”
- The DE has said they agree with the CSSC.
- For the full story, please visit the BBC’s website.
Pastoral Care awards for local schools
- Schools across Northern Ireland have been recognised for their exceptional pastoral care.
- The special awards ceremony was hosted by the Department of Education (DE) and the Public Health Agency (PHA).
- The Derrytrasna Pastoral Care award was created by the DE and the PHA in 2014 and recognised school communities who have demonstrated ‘exceptional effort’ in supporting the pastoral care of pupils and their families.
- Schools receiving awards include Tullygally Primary School in Craigavon, and Carrick Primary School in Lurgan.
- For more, please visit the Department of Education’s website.
