Feature Articles

During the first half of 2022, the UK fire safety regime has seen considerable activity in terms of legislative change, consultations and revised guidance. Mike Sopp provides a summary of the main changes.

Most people instinctively fling open a window to improve indoor air quality. That will reduce toxin levels for a while say experts, but close them tightly again to avoid pollution from roads, railways and industrial sites. Keeping the indoor atmosphere safe is now complex. Jon Herbert reports.

Chris Athey (1924–2011) was a principal lecturer in education at Roehampton University and is best known for her work on the development of schema theory in the UK. Rachel Dearnley, Early Years Consultant and Trainer, looks at Athey’s influence on early years practice and particularly her theory on how young children come to know things.

A sixth wedding anniversary is traditionally called the iron anniversary and, as 23 June marked six years since the UK voted to leave the European Union, that seems a suitable symbol to indicate the present state of relations between the two.

Homeworking has its pros and cons, for both employees and employers. Cost savings in particular are high on the reasons for wanting to work from home, as employees cut out (or reduce) their commuting expenses and consider moving to a cheaper area, further from the office.

The wellbeing of employees has never been more important than it is now. After the difficulties of the pandemic, which is still not entirely behind us, many employees have been left feeling drained — mentally, physically and financially. Employers are recognising the impact of this on the performance of their workforce, and targeting policies, benefits and working practices at helping employees to recover and thrive.