When you want to perfect your picnic prowess, there’s a fine line between packing too much – and falling short because you’ve forgotten something vital. After all, an outdoor feast requires a few little extras to make it a joyous occasion… as much as we love the idea of being spontaneous, unfurling a blanket and hoping for the best! Here’s what’s top of our picnic packing list… 1. Thermal Travel Mugs, £28 each, Neonimo With a cute cassette print and retro feel, nothing beats a fancy flask for hot and cold drinks on the move. 2. Raffia Placemats in Pink or Sage, £21 for pack of two, Talking Tables When you want to mix it up a bit and bring a boho vibe to picnics in the park and music festivals, these trendy raffia placemats are sassy and stylish. 3. Wicker Picnic Basket with Red and White Gingham, £45, Maison Cherie Think shady olive grove, cheese, baguette, bottle of red… and this classic basket with red gingham topper perfectly completing the scene. Also features an insulated cooler and inner pocket for bamboo cutlery. 4. Waterproof Paisley Outdoor Rug, currently £15 (was £40), other items from a selection, Talking Tables Even when there’s been a long, dry spell, morning dew and dirt can put a damp squib on your al fresco spread. This pretty paisley pattern is waterproof and lightweight. 5. Folksy Teal Bee Deckchair, £149.99, Perkins & Morley For some, sitting on the ground for long periods isn’t a comfy option. With its colourful canvas sling, this bright deckchair will look fab in a sun room or on the patio when picnic season is over. Folds flat when not in use. 6. Sophie Allport Cocktails Melamine Plates, from £10.50; Beaker, £7.50, and Cocktails Picnic Blanket, £48, other items from a selection, Sophie Allport If ready-made cocktails are on the cards, these funky plates and picnic blanket with their whimsical illustrations will work a treat. 7. Multicolour Classic Bell Tent in Harlequin, from £239, Boutique Camping Sunshine or showers, this safari style tent sets the scene for sundowners, summer socials and glamping inspired get-togethers. Features include zippable windows, detachable groundsheet and space to shade your cooler box. 8. Strawberries Picnic Bag, £47.50, other items from a selection, Sophie Allport The quintessential summertime fruit, a picnic wouldn’t be a picnic without a punnet of strawbs… and this snazzy 22-litre cooler bag will keep the cream chilled in style. 9. Marks & Spencer Set of 4 Summer Fruits Picnic Side Plates, £12; Set of 4 Summer Fruits Picnic Dinner Plates, £15, and Set of 4 Summer Fruits Picnic Highballs, £15, other items from a selection, Marks & Spencer Even a picnic pallet or trestle table loves a tablescape, especially when you blend citrus brights and colour clash with fun extras such as mismatched candle holders, and wild flowers spilling from an eye-catching vase or jam jar. 10. ProCook Picnic Basket – 2 Person, £49.99, ProCook Romantic rendezvous or coastal inspired field trip, this wicker hamper with a nautical striped interior contains two of everything: stainless steel forks, knives and spoons, plus plates, wine glasses and corkscrew. Cheers! Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live These are the female players who paved the way for the Lionesses Karen Carney: It’s amazing we’re all talking about the Women’s World Cup Nearly half of women feel ‘too unfit’ to enjoy exercise this summer – how to overcome fitness fear

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RESEARCH TRIANGLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 6, 2023--

Nearly one in three primary schools in England do not have a male classroom teacher, a study suggests. The proportion of secondary school teachers who are male remains at a record low (35%), according to a Warwick Business School report. Researchers said boys from poorer backgrounds would benefit from having a male teacher in school but they are less likely to have one. Raising teachers’ pay, reducing working hours and improving school leadership could help boost recruitment and retention, the report said. Worryingly, the decline in the number of male classroom teachers is getting worse Dr Joshua Fullard, Warwick Business School The study analysed the latest data from the annual School Workforce Census to identify trends in gender diversity among teachers in state schools in England since 2010. It found that nearly a quarter (24.3%) of all state schools in England have no male classroom teachers. In two local authorities, Rutland in the East Midlands and Northumberland in the North East, at least half of the primary schools do not have a male classroom teacher. The study found that more than two in five (41.9%) of the primary schools placed in special measures by Ofsted had no male classroom teachers. The report said: “This could be due to selection – male teachers are in relatively high demand and therefore might be less likely to sort into the lowest achieving school. “Alternately, having no gender diversity in the classroom might negatively impact the functioning of a school.” It’s important for all children and young people to experience a diverse range of positive role models James Bowen, NAHT Dr Joshua Fullard, assistant professor of behavioural science at Warwick Business School, said: “Worryingly, the decline in the number of male classroom teachers is getting worse. “This has an impact on the education that children receive. There is a large body of research that shows students benefit from being educated by a teacher with certain similarities to them. “Boys from less affluent backgrounds are already the lowest achievers in school. They are the students who would benefit most from a male teacher, but they are less and less likely to have one. “It’s not just boys who are losing out. Having no gender diversity could negatively affect how a school functions, as schools in special measures are less like to have a male classroom teacher.” The report called for teachers’ pay to be raised by more than 10% and for a merit-based reduction in tuition fees for university-led teacher training to be introduced. Dr Fullard said: “Men are more likely to consider finances when deciding to go into, or leave, a profession. This explains why the persistent decline in teachers’ pay has affected male teacher numbers more than their female counterparts.” Since 2010, there has been an increase of over 7,000 male teachers in state-funded nursery and primary schools Department for Education James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union the NAHT, said: “It’s important for all children and young people to experience a diverse range of positive role models. “The impact of a diverse school workforce, at all levels in education, is well recognised, including by the Department for Education. “It can help children and young people, especially those from deprived backgrounds, to visualise positive futures and fulfil their potential.” Julie McCulloch, director of policy at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “Having a diverse workforce is a huge asset to a school, but currently many are struggling simply to put a teacher at the front of every classroom. “A great deal of work needs to be done to make teaching a more attractive career to men and women alike. This includes reversing the real terms pay cuts that teachers have experienced since 2010, reducing unmanageable workloads and ensuring all schools are properly funded. “Until these issues are addressed then the profession will continue to lose men and women, whether they are new graduates or experienced teachers, to jobs that are offering more competitive pay and better conditions of service.” A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We want teaching to be an inclusive profession, with equal opportunity for all, regardless of gender, to develop and progress in their careers. “Since 2010, there has been an increase of over 7,000 male teachers in state-funded nursery and primary schools. “We want to continue bringing great people into teaching and have introduced bursaries worth up to £27,000 tax-free and scholarships worth up to £29,000 tax-free, to attract talented trainees in subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.”

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