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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS
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The main stories from the papers
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The latest announcements and policy news
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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, and all the not-to-be-missed statistics.
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GENERAL:
Defence Review. The PM launched the government’s Strategic Defence Review promising a move to ‘warfighting readiness,’ with implications for education that include support for 30,000 highly skilled jobs, a 30% increase in cadets by 2030 and the introduction of a voluntary Gap Year scheme.
Spending Review. The IfS set out some of the (many) challenges facing the Chancellor as she draws up next week’s Spending Review, pointing to four in particular covering NHS and defence spending, cuts and capital spending, and concluding that some depts may face ‘real-term cuts after this year.’
Global Economic Outlook. The OECD published its latest assessment of global economies, downgrading growth projections for the UK for this year and next in the light of trade and tariff uncertainties and pointing to a ‘cooling’ labour market, depressed consumer confidence and pressure on public finances.
UK Economic Outlook. The British Chambers of Commerce published its latest Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) for the UK suggesting a slight uptick in growth this year although downgraded for next year and things remaining ‘sluggish’ generally but with business investment up.
Council funding. The County Councils Network reported on its survey of members ahead of next week’s Spending Review, pointing to a £2bn+ funding gap and suggesting that six in ten councils ‘were not confident of setting a balanced budget next year.’
Child poverty. The End Child Poverty Group published research from Loughborough University showing that 2/3 of MPs represent constituencies where ‘at least one in four children are in poverty’ with data from 2023/24 showing the North of England, W. Midlands and Wales the worst affected.
Youth provision. The Centre for Young Lives called for ‘a new youth provision offer for England’ of refurbished youth centres, support and all-year activities, arguing that at a cost of £1.46bn over the next three years, this would bring strong financial, economic and social benefits.
Digital poverty. The Digital Poverty Alliance set out its latest National Delivery and Advocacy Plan listing six ‘national missions’ intended to address digital poverty, covering among other things affordable connectivity, sustainable funding, and digital skills for life.
AI Jobs. The consultancy PwC published its latest survey report on the AI jobs market pointing to a varying picture with a big increase in the share of job postings requiring AI skills particularly in ICT, Financial and Professional Services but slower growth in job postings in AI exposed occupations and continuing ‘churn’ over skill needs, with degree requirements falling. SCHOOLS:
Free school meals. The government announced a new entitlement to free school meals from next year for children in households on Universal Credit, meaning over half a million more children should be able to benefit from a daily meal in school, with eligible parents able to apply before the start of the year.
Funding. The NAHT outlined the financial challenges facing school leaders, many of whom are facing cuts to staffing and resources, as they published the results of a members’ survey ahead of next week’s Spending Review.
School workforce. The government published data from its 2024 workforce survey of state schools in England showing a slight drop in the number of FTE teachers from the year before but a large increase in the number of teaching assistants.
Recruiting from abroad. The government published a commissioned report into the systems and processes for international teacher recruitment finding school leaders valuing the option but pointing to qualification equivalency and procedures for integration as two of the main barriers, proposing among other things a centralised system and regulation of recruitment agencies.
Inspections and mental health. Ofsted reported on changes to its training of inspectors, its handbook and inspection process generally, brought in to reflect the importance of recognising associated mental health concerns and issues.
Maths and AI. Maths Horizons, the group that has been looking at the future of maths in an AI age, published a major survey report, calling among other things for reform of both SATs and GCSEs and for a greater emphasis on securing maths essentials for further study and life.
SATs 2026. The Standards and Testing Agency outlined the arrangements and key dates to help schools and local authorities prepare for the transfer of national curriculum testing arrangements to Pearson from this September.
Literacy partnership. The National Literacy Trust announced that the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) would join forces with the Trust as a subsidiary charity to help develop training and support around literacy generally. FE/SKILLS:
Skills Statement. The Education Secretary reported on the latest developments around the skills system in England in a Statement to MPs running through the introduction of new foundation apprenticeships from this August, the defunding of L7 apprenticeships for those aged 21+ from next January, the launch of ten construction skills TECs from September, and the formal setup of Skills England.
Skills priorities. The Education Secretary set out her priorities for Skills England for the coming year with the focus on mapping skills gaps, simplifying access and engagement to the skills system and working with a range of partners to help meet needs and respond to skills priorities.
Skills for Growth. Skills England reported on its recent work around the government’s growth and skills offer highlighting employer concerns around the lack of flexibility in much of the apprenticeship system as well as the case for a broader training offer along with a run through of skill needs in ten key sectors.
Joined up skills. The British Academy called for a ‘more joined up approach to UK skills policy’ in a working group paper published as part of a set of papers on Economic Strategy, pointing to the importance of a skills system able to meet local needs as well as future challenges from issues such as AI and net zero.
16-19 funding. The government set out the funding rates for 16-19 provision for next year showing an increase to the national funding rates including for T levels, following last month’s announcement of an extra £190m.
Impact Report. The 5% Club, an employer group that supports workplace learning for all, highlighted a growing membership, the launch of a new Skills and Employment Alliance and a range of ‘Learn and Earn Awards’ as it published its Impact Report for 2024/25.
VTQs. Ofqual published the results from its latest YouGov survey, completed earlier this year, into perceptions of vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) finding employer awareness and understanding of such qualifications broadly similar to before with providers and learners valuing the learning and skills that they provide.
Research Further. The AoC reported on its Research Further project set up with partners three years ago to support research and researchers in the FE sector and which has undertaken valuable work on a range of key issues. HE:
A collaborative future. Universities UK published the report from its Taskforce looking into how universities might work more collaboratively in future to generate efficiencies, setting out a range of options from mergers and federations to shared services and provision, and proposing a future programme of work that could oversee such future change.
Boxed in. The HE Policy Institute (HEPI) published a new paper by two experts arguing that HE institutions are currently ‘boxed in’ on all sides by among other things rising costs, increased regulation and uncertain future demand, putting forward instead a range of proposals around strategy, funding and reform that could help them operate differently.
Regional Access Partnerships. The OfS launched a call for evidence on creating new regional access partnerships that, depending on future funding, will build on the work of Uni Connect and by 2028/29 develop a national outreach programme.
University access. The Russell Group set out a range of access commitments including support packages for care leavers, standardised approaches to contextual admissions and stronger regional partnerships, all designed to help support university access and opportunity particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented areas.
Access to HE Diploma. The QAA opened out further consultation on a proposed International Access to HE Diploma (IAHED,) which could provided access to HE globally for international students, looking here at the regulations and requirements on Access Validating Agencies (AVAs) who would be licensed to operate the Diploma.
Energy Advice Centres. UPP pledged funding support for the expansion of student-led Energy Advice Centres, first pioneered at London South Bank University and rolling out elsewhere offering advice on energy bills and usage to the wider public.
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Research, reports and studies published this week
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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK
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Important reports, deadlines and government events
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Education Committee evidence session on ‘Solving the SEND crisis’ (Tuesday 10 June)
The Chancellor presents the Spending Review (Wednesday 11 June)
CIPD Festival of Work (Wednesday 11 – Thursday 12 June)
HEPI Annual Conference (Thursday 12 June)
Ofqual release provisional entry stats for this summer’s GCSE, AS and A levels (Thursday 12 June)
Schools North East Education Business Conference 2025 (Thursday 12 June)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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Tuesday 10 June: Supporting Disadvantaged Students in Higher Education Conference 2025 | Government Events (online event)
Thursday 12 June: HEPI Annual Conference 2025 | HEPI (in-person event)
Thursday 12 June: 10 years of the REAL Centre: Tackling injustices in and through education | REAL Centre (in-person event)
Saturday 14 June: researchED Kent | researchED (in-person event) |
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MONDAY 09 JUNE
On this day in 1977 Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Silver Jubilee marking 25 years on the throne.
TUESDAY 10 JUNE
On this day in 1752 Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm in an experiment to demonstrate the connection between lightning and electricity.
WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE
On this day in 1509 Henry VIII married his first wife Catherine of Aragon whom he later divorced after she failed to produce a male heir.
THURSDAY 12 JUNE
On this day in 1964 Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison.
FRIDAY 13 JUNE
On this day in 1983 Pioneer 10 became the first man-made object to leave the central solar system.
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