A look back at the last week in education, a peek at what's coming up, plus lots of other interesting stuff to help with lesson planning  ...

LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS Three of the week's headlines ... Labour halts Tory law on freedom of speech in English universities Read more Urgent Government action needed to mitigate risk of university closures – report Read more Pupils unwittingly smoking spiked vapes, study finds   Read more Visit EdNews to filter all the education news by phase or topic Three pieces of policy news - by phase 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. As your starter for ten, we've chosen three items from each phase below ... GENERAL: Employment support. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall outlined plans to tackle economic activity and help get Britain working again,’ promising a new Advisory Board and White Paper, a revamped careers service, closer working with the regions and a youth guarantee. Living standards. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IfS) examined the current state of living standards in the UK suggesting that it’s been ‘a poor few years for household income’ although income inequality has not changed greatly and some incomes, including among better-off pension groups, have improved since the pandemic. Fixing public services. The Institute for Government assessed the challenges facing the new government in four areas of public services including the NHS, local government, the criminal justice system and schools, pointing to some ‘hard truths’ which for schools include SEND and teacher recruitment, and recommending among other things focusing on a small number of priorities and on preventative action. SCHOOLS: SEND worries. Local councils published a commissioned report into what they described as ‘a broken SEND system,’ with councils struggling to provide for a massive increase in SEND numbers and costs, a system ‘weighed down by legal disputes, and families frustrated with the lack of support, calling for a new core offer within a National Framework with improved partnership working and access to clear progression data. Curriculum and assessment review. Former Chief Inspector Amanada Spielman outlined ten key principles around assessment reform ahead of the recently announced review of the curriculum and assessment, pointing to the need to keep things simple, being clear about assessment purposes, valuing expertise, and ensuring value for pupils. Disadvantaged children. The National Audit Office (NAO) argued that the government needs to build a better picture of what works for disadvantaged children as it published a new report on the matter, acknowledging that while it can be a complex matter with a range of issues, the current approach has hardly improved things and does not secure value for money. FE/SKILLS: L3 qualification reform. The education secretary confirmed to MPs that there would be ‘a short pause and review of post-16 qualification reform at L3 and below’ that would conclude before the end of the year. Skills body. The government announced work on its promised new skills body, Skills England, with the appointment of an interim Chair and the transfer of functions from the IfATE, with the new body expected to be fully operative over the next year and aiming to bring together key players and products to help develop workforce skills and reduce dependency on foreign workers. Student premium. The Education Policy Institute called in a new report for the creation of a 16-19 student premium, based on the model of the school premium and using both area-level and student-level measures of disadvantage, to help tackle economic disadvantage in 16-19 education. HE: Education secretary’s speech. The education secretary addressed the Embassy Education Conference where she underlined the more positive attitude to both universities in general and international students in particular that the new government was keen to take. Managing risk. The consultancy Public First with partner Warwick University called in a new report for a clear set of procedures to manage risk and the problems associated with an institution ‘going under,’ proposing these should include a more proactive role for the OfS, a transformation fund, and a new HE Commissioner and Admin Regime. New blueprint. Universities UK reported that it was working with a group of experts to set out a new blueprint for how universities can work with the government on creating opportunity, supporting growth and tackling global challenges, with the paper set for release in early autumn. Access all issues of Steve Besley's Education Eye Latest research, reports and studies School Meals, Count Me In Month | Nesta Rooted learning: Education for roots and wings | BERA Fixing public services: Schools | Institute for Government Practical examples of integrating generative AI into the learning activities of the capstone project module | BERA Closing the forgotten gap: Implementing a 16-19 student premium | EPI Value for money: Improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children | NAO Augar reviewed: Why post-18 education in England is still broken, and how to fix it | EDSK Readying adult learners for innovation: Reskilling and upskilling in higher education | OECD A dual crisis: The hidden link between poverty and children's mental health | CYPMHC Disadvantaged school leavers have their post-16 education choices and life chances boosted | Careers & Enterprise Company When compassion is not enough: an argument for adaptive critical pedagogy in higher education | BERA Women in the education system: Breaking barriers and championing excellence | Lifelong Education Institute Fit for the Future: Independent Review of the Office for Students | DfE Institution Overboard: New Public First report calls for government funding to stop universities going under | Public First Early Years maths programme demonstrates longer term impact on development | EEF Ministers urged to put early identification and support of children with SEND at the heart of a new strategy to boost school attendance | Centre for Young Lives Search our education research section COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK Parliament and elsewhere Chancellor’s financial audit statement (Monday 29 July). MPs’ summer break (Tuesday 30 July – Monday 02 September). Events and CPD opportunities Wednesday 31 July: Designated Safeguarding Lead Training | AELP (online event) Thursday 01 August: Designated Safeguarding Lead Training | AELP (online event) Running an education-related event that you'd like to see included in our calendar? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details and a link to the booking info. See all events Three interesting daily facts MONDAY 29 JULY On this day in 1836 the Arc de Triomphe was inaugurated in Paris, honouring those who died while fighting for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. On this day in 1921 Adolf Hitler became leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party. On this day in 1958 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), responsible for coordinating America’s activities in space, was established.   TUESDAY 30 JULY On this day in 1935 the first Penguin book was published with the aim of providing inexpensive good-quality paperback titles for a mass-market audience. On this day in 1999 the Blair Witch Project, a low-budget independent horror film that became a massive cult hit, was first released in the United States. On this day in 2003 the last classic VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, Mexico.   WEDNESDAY 31 JULY On this day in 30 BC during the Battle of Alexandria, Mark Antony achieved a minor victory over Octavian despite a significant number of his army deserting. On this day in 1715 a hurricane off the east coast of Florida sank ten Spanish treasure ships killing nearly 1,000 people. On this day in 1970 the last rum ration was issued aboard ships of the British Royal Navy, a day forever known as Black Tot Day.   THURSDAY 01 AUGUST On this day in 527 Justinian I became the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire after the death of his uncle Justin I. On this day in 1774 English chemist Joseph Priestley discovered oxygen by isolating it in its gaseous state. On this day in 1907 the first Scout camp opened on Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, Dorset.   FRIDAY 02 AUGUST On this day in 1870 the world's first underground railway, the Tower Subway, was opened under the River Thames in London. On this day in 1945 the Potsdam Conference, convened to negotiate the terms of the end of World War II, came to an end. On this day in 2018 Apple became the first American public listed company to reach $1 trillion in value. Awareness days from around the world JULY IS UK: National Picnic Month, Plastic Free July, Good Care Month. WORLDWIDE: Group B Strep Support (GBSS) Awareness Month, Sarcoma Awareness Month, Global Enterprise Agility Month, Independent Retailer Month, SPANA’s World Tea Party, National Fragile X Awareness Month, National Hemp Month, National Contract Sewing Month, National Anti-Boredom Month, National Grilling Month, World Watercolor Month, National Peach Month, National Blueberry Month, National Ice Cream Month, National Hot Dog Month, National Horseradish Month, National Culinary Arts Month, National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, National Baked Bean Month, Lasagna Awareness Month, Wild About Wildlife Month, National Hemp Month, National Powersports Month, Bank Account Bonus Month, World Watercolor Month.   AUGUST IS UK: National Road Victim Month. WORLDWIDE: Psoriasis Awareness/Psoriasis Action Month, National Immunization Awareness Month, National Fishing Month, National Dog Month, National Hair Loss Awareness Month, National Wellness Month, Medic Alert Awareness Month, Children's Eye Health And Safety Month, National Brownies At Brunch Month, Black Business Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, Motorsports Awareness Month, International Peace Month, Get Ready For Kindergarten Month, National Panini Month, National Goat Cheese Month, National Sandwich Month, Happiness Happens Month, National Back To School Month, National Crayon Collection Month, National Golf Month, National Eye Exam Month, National Catfish Month, National Water Quality Month, Romance Awareness Month, Family Fun Month, Beautiful in Your Skin Month, National Breastfeeding Month, National Cheerleading Safety Month, Child Support Awareness Month, National Inventors Month, National Anti-Frizz Month.   THIS WEEK IS UK: Talk To Us, Love Parks Week, National Marine Week, Festival of British Archaeology. WORLDWIDE: World Breastfeeding Week, National Minority Donor Awareness, National Cleanse Your Skin Week, International Clown Week.   MONDAY 29 JULY WORLDWIDE: International Tiger Day, National Lipstick Day, National Chicken Wing Day, National Lasagna Day, Rain Day.   TUESDAY 30 JULY WORLDWIDE: National Cheesecake Day, World Friendship Day/International Day Of Friendship, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, National Climb A Mountain Day, National Whistleblower Day, National Father-In-Law Day, Paperback Book Day, Share a Hug Day.   WEDNESDAY 31 JULY UK: Black Tot Day. WORLDWIDE: Hawaiian Flag Day, National Avocado Day, National Mutt Day, National Raspberry Cake Day, National Jump for Jelly Beans Day, World Ranger Day, Uncommon Instrument Awareness Day.   THURSDAY 01 AUGUST UK: Yorkshire Day, Cycle To Work Day. WORLDWIDE: Respect For Parents Day, Minority Donor Awareness Day, National Raspberry Cream Pie Day, National Girlfriends Day, International Mahjong Day, National India Pale Ale Day (IPA) Day, National Pinball Day, National Woman Astronomers Day, National Spritz Day, Play Ball Day, National Promise to Care Day, Homemade Pie Day, Albariño Day, National Planner Day, National Mountain Climbing Day, Colorado Day, World Wide Web Day, Rounds Resounding Day, International Childfree Day, National Spider-Man Day, World Scout Scarf Day, World Lung Cancer Day.   FRIDAY 02 AUGUST WORLDWIDE: International Beer Day, National Coloring Book Day, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, National Water Balloon Day, Braham Pie Day, National CAD Day, National Twins Day. Share Tweet Forward Weekly Round-Up will appear briefly over the summer break as news dictates.   Not already an EdCentral member? 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