THE dramatic rescue of a party of children and adults trapped in a flooding cave was one of the news assignments for a group of teachers

The 16 teachers gathered the facts to include in their own newspaper pages, while other teachers took on the task of co-ordinating the life and death rescue.

It was part of a hands-on simulation exercise tackled during a free taster day for teachers organised by our Newspapers in Education co-ordinator, Rita Shaw, and funded by the Teacher Placement Service at East Lancs Education Business Partnerships.

The 20 places on offer were rapidly filled by teachers from primary schools in all areas of East Lancashire. Role play ran riot as a fact-finding tour of our newspaper's advertising and editorial departments was followed by a session working through the newstream news simulation computer programme to meet rapidly approaching deadlines. The programme is designed for classroom use by eight year olds up to adult age. More details on this and on the next newstream taster day, for secondary school teachers on Tuesday November 18, can be obtained by contacting Rita Shaw on 01254 678678, ext 255.

Options for wider world of working

MORE than 90 Pendle students were given sound advice and ideas to prepare them for the world of work, training or further education during a conference organised by East Lancs Education Business Partnerships at Colne Municipal Hall.

The event launched the Compact programme, funded by ELTEC, for students in year 10 in all Pendle high schools. Working through the programme during their last two years at school, students take part in work experience, company visits, industry projects, mock interviews and complete a record of achievement demonstrating skills valued by employers and further education providers.

During the conference, guest employers and students took part in a variety of fun exercises designed to reinforce the idea of Compact goals.

A presentation was given on the Xtend scheme, which offers training, combined with working at a job for young school leavers. And in the afternoon a performance by the Cragrats drama group explored issues connected with the conference.

Students attending the conference acted as ambassadors for their schools and will take back the lessons learned and information gathered to their classmates.

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