Follow this link to view the full version of Steve Besley's popular policy round-up - including an overview of all the important stories, his top headlines of the week, tweets and posts of note, the most memorable quotes, not-to-be-missed statistics and what to look out for next week.

We've chosen three items from each phase to include below for starters ...

GENERAL

Digital strategy. The government heralded London Tech Week by launching a new UK Digital Strategy, bringing together current policies and developments into ‘one unified roadmap’ with the creation of a new Digital Skills Council and a set of ‘ambitions’ across six areas including infrastructure, financing, skills and IP.
Loneliness. The government published new research as part of Loneliness Awareness Week showing that 16-34 yr olds, those with disabilities and LGBTQ communities along with those suffering from mental health tended to be more at risk of chronic loneliness, promising in response renewed cross-government efforts and a new delivery plan by early next year. 
Education Commission. The Times Education Commission published the final report from its year-long Inquiry into the education system in Britain, highlighting a number of ‘flaws’ in the system and setting out a 12-point plan to ‘transform’ things. 

SCHOOLS

School Trusts. The Education Secretary addressed the Confederation of School Trusts Annual Conference where he highlighted the importance of Academy Trusts and set out to allay fears that the latest Schools Bill would impose further burdens or restrictions on them.
Missing children. The Children’s Commissioner for England published a new report into children missing from school, building on evidence gathered through last year’s Big Ask and this year’s Attendance Audit, setting out six priorities including making attendance everyone’s business and establishing a ‘Back to School’ portal, to help ensure children return in Sept.
Admissions Appeals. The government confirmed following consultation that it would move forward on proposals to make some amendments to admissions law that would allow appeals to be held remotely and, where necessary, with a panel of two.

FE/SKILLS

Funding adult education. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IfS) with support from the Nuffield Foundation examined adult education funding as part of the build-up to the government’s Lifelong Loan Entitlement, concluding that this will make only limited difference and that current funding commitments will see funding returned to 2015 levels only. 
Improving access to apprenticeships. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) examined access to apprenticeships particularly for young people around L2 and 3, pointing to ‘a myriad of barriers,’ including English and maths requirements, wage levels, careers support and relevant work experience, calling for better promotion and financial incentives. 
New strategic partnership. The Collab Group and Chartered Institute for FE announced a new strategic alliance that will see them work together on such areas as talent management and professional development as well as create a powerful combined voice for the sector. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Committee concerns. The Public Accounts Committee raised a number of concerns about future financing and oversight of higher education in its latest Inquiry report, calling on the Office for Students to report back in the coming months on actions taken over sector performance, financing and student satisfaction.
Loan cap. The government moved to cap loan interest rates for current graduates at 7.3% rather than the higher 12% anticipated RPI rate, with the rate capped for those starting in 2023, as the cost of living continued to bite.
Admissions 2022. Clare Marchant, chief executive of UCAS, outlined some important context for this year’s admissions cycle in a blog on the HEPI website, listing in particular five key current factors including what’s likely to be a competitive year with applicants expected to take full advantage of the choices on offer.

 

Monday 20 June: Understanding the complexity of early numeracy development | UCL (online event)
Tuesday 21 June: Governance Development Day For Academy Trust Leaders | Inside Government (online event)
Tuesday 21 June: Bridging research, policy and practice in education – celebrating the legacy of Geoff Whitty (face-to-face-event – London)
Tuesday, 21 June to Wednesday 22 June: Natspec National Conference (face-to-face event – Leicestershire)
Wednesday 22 June: The PIE Chat Live - Tracie Greenhalgh, Chief People Officer, Arden University | The PIE (online event)
Wednesday 22 June: ASCL Conference for Business Leaders 2022 | ASCL (face-to-face-event – Birmingham)  
Wednesday 22 June: The SEND Green Paper: implications for the early years  | Early Education (online event)
Wednesday 22 June: Where next for Prison Education and Educators? | UCL (online event)
Thursday 23 June: Child development in the first 1,001 days of life | Westminster Forum Projects (online event)
Thursday 23 June: Effective Preparation and Delivery of Access and Participation Plans | Inside Government (online event)
Friday 24 June: Growing Great Teachers - Manchester | Teacher Toolkit (face-to-face event – Manchester)
Saturday 25 June: researchED Norwich 2022 | ResearchEd (face-to-face event – Norwich) 
Saturday 25 June: Complete Mathematics Conference | Complete Mathematics (face-to-face event – Kettering)

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