Northern Architecture - Promoting better places in the North East

Engineering timelines is an organisation with one main aim... to celebrate the engineering heritage that shapes the British Isles and beyond. It was the brainchild of structural engineer Mark Whitby. He was struck by the possibilities a website could offer for uncovering historical and geographical connections and coincidences in the story of a profession - engineering. The website was conceived as a means to link the engineering works that surround us today with the past out of which they were born. It continues to be developed as a research tool for students and enthusiasts alike.

This report evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of art, craft and design education in schools and colleges in England. It is based principally on subject inspections of 96 primary schools, 91 secondary schools and seven special schools between 2008 and 2011. This includes five visits in each phase to focus on an aspect of good practice. The report also draws on institutional inspections, 69 subject inspections in colleges, and visits to a sample of art galleries. Part A focuses on the key inspection findings in the context of the continued popularity of the subject with pupils and students. Part B considers how well the concerns about inclusion, creativity and drawing raised in Ofsted?s 2008 report, Drawing together: art, craft and design in schools, have been addressed.

Young people, planning and regeneration Ecorys, the research and consultancy company, has published Children and Young People's Participation in Planning and Regeneration. The study examines the evidence for encouraging participation by children and young people in planning and regeneration, both in the United Kingdom and in an international context. It concludes that the spatial aspects of children's participation crosscut the wider participation agenda, but have too often been overlooked within a service-driven approach to policymaking. There is evidence from research and practice that children and young people can play a significant role within planning and regeneration processes, with potential benefits at individual, peer group and community levels.

A handy digest of the James review of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

PLAYCE is an international association of architecture education. It is working as a network of professionals involved in engaging young people in activities related to the built environment and public realm. The PLAYCE members are actively working in their countries on creating new study materials for teachers and school children. With the help of professionally produced teaching materials they wish to create the better future and better living environment for all of us. The PLAYCE physical toolkit of architecture education consists of a cardboard box, a teachers? card and 13 task cards as well as 4 sensory tools (a hand mirror, cardboard cone, eye mask, and fingerless gloves). The sensory exercises and tips for further work are intended as a guideline and source of inspiration for the teacher in classroom work. They can easily be adapted to suit each situation. The tools can be utilised in each of the exercises. They encourage pupils to study different factors of architecture through their own hands, eyes, ears and nose. The intension is to sharpen awareness of each particular sense by blurring the influence of the other senses. This downloadable resource is an English version of the 13 task cards for use by teachers.