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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:
Council funding. The government announced that councils will have 90% of their historic SEND-related deficits up to 2025/26 written off, subject to approval of a SEND local reform plan, with further details expected in the forthcoming White Paper as it published ‘a record breaking’ Finance Settlement for the next three years.
Parental guidance. The government responded to concerns that parents often find it difficult to talk to their children about harmful content online by launching a new campaign, with guidance materials and a consultation on children’s digital wellbeing, to help parents support children navigate the social media age.
Living Standards 2026. The Resolution Foundation published its latest Living Standards Outlook arguing that while this year may see a short-term boost to family incomes with the uprating of some benefits, the future remains weak with ‘sluggish wage growth, frozen tax thresholds and rising costs,’ calling for a renewed focus on growth, productivity and the cost of living. SCHOOLS:
Improving the Estate. The government promised ‘a decade of renewal’ as it published plans to renew, improve and upgrade school and college buildings through better estate management, focusing on maintenance and renewal, and rebuilding where necessary, with £38bn funding promised for the next 3 years.
Education Committee Report. The Education Committee equally called for an estate strategy as it published the results of its Inquiry into school buildings, welcoming the government’s work on remediating RAAC from schools in England but arguing that years of under investment have left many buildings in need of repair and hence in need of a strategy.
Gender guidance. The government confirmed plans to issue guidance for schools on issues of gender in the form of ‘a statutory safeguarding framework’ that would see children’s safety at the heart of any decisions, parents involved unless there was a safeguarding concern and single sex spaces protected. RISE report. The government published emerging evidence from the first cohort of schools and advisers involved in the RISE targeted intervention programme, reporting considerable optimism from those involved in it all so far, albeit with some unease about pairing arrangements, short timelines and the lack of clarity around key roles.
Teacher R and R. The NFER published further evidence on teacher recruitment and retention suggesting that while pay is often an important factor in both recruitment and retention, time spent on dealing with behavioural issues and lesson planning also play a part.
SEND costs. The Policy Exchange think tank highlighted in a new report the growing costs to councils and local authorities of SEND support, noting that much of the rise surprisingly was in more affluent areas of the country, calling as a result for the government ‘not to delay’ in bringing forward reform proposals.
Phone policy costs. Researchers from Birmingham University reported on their recent survey showing that teachers in secondary schools in England were typically spending just over 100 hours a week managing policies to do with restricting devices during the school day.
Mobile phones. The NASUWT called for statutory restrictions and a ‘properly funded pilot’ to test out the impact of devices being locked away during the school day, arguing that the current non-statutory guidance left schools exposed and open to challenges and inconsistencies. FE/SKILLS:
Apprenticeship Week announcement (1.) The government confirmed plans to speed up the approval process for apprenticeships and develop short courses to meet employer needs while helping more young people into apprenticeship programmes and able to respond to employer needs.
Apprenticeship announcement (2.) The government announced plans to pilot a new ‘university clearance-style system’ that working with employers and mayors would help direct near-miss applicants to similar opportunities nearby.
Apprenticeship reform. The British Chambers of Commerce argued that a number of reforms were needed to make apprenticeships ‘fit for the 21st c,’ listing five in particular including reforming the Levy to allow for shorter, modular provision, seeing training investment as a benefit rather than a cost, and aligning provision more closely to Local Skills Improvement Plans.
Apprenticeship Survey. The Association of Apprentices published the findings from its ‘Big Survey’ gathered last autumn showing how highly many apprentices value their experience but equally the challenges around assessment, financial strain and time that remain for many, listing a number of priorities such as mentoring, financial support and L6/7 funding that could help improve things.
NEETs Review. The Chair of the government’s NEETs Review, Alan Milburn, called for a major review of the education and employment support systems and in particular the relationship between mental health and youth unemployment as he reported on progress towards his interim report in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.
Response to NEETs Review. The Centre for Young Lives published its response to the Milburn NEETs Review, pointing to an alarming rise in numbers and lack of coordinated support and calling as a result for earlier risk identification and intervention, targeted support at key transition points for young people and cross government support. HE:
Foreign interference. The government highlighted the dangers of foreign interference in UKHE as it hosted a major conference and spelt out in a new briefing some of the challenges involved in such protection, the danger signs to look out for and the guidance and support was available.
I have a complaint. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for HE published its Operating Report for 2025 showing a further rise in complaints brought by students, up by 17% on the previous year but with 50% considered not justifiable, and 20% finding in favour of the complainant.
Admissions views. UCAS launched consultation on possible change to the undergraduate application system, calling for thoughts about the number of initial choices a student can make, the firm and insurance choice, and the October and January deadlines. Future skills. Universities UK launched a new ‘nationwide conversation’ as part of its response to this week’s National Apprenticeship Week, aiming to talk with employers and others about how universities could respond more pertinently to changing skill needs and the steps needed to meet these.
Student loans. HEPI Director Nick Hillman reflected on the three major reports in recent years that have helped set the student loans system in place, noting that they had different perspectives on interest levels and concluding that yet another formal review may well not change anything.
No more student loans. The FT examined the current student loans model in light of the current debate about inequities in the system, highlighting the extent of political tinkering that’s happened in recent years and calling ultimately for the loans system to be scrapped in favour a graduate tax.
How much? Advance HE reported on recent sector research into the potential costs to the individual, the environment, future jobs and to knowledge sources generally of generative AI, suggesting that this needs to be properly balanced and assessed before things develop much further.
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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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Westminster February recess (Thursday 12 – Monday 23 February)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY
On this day in 1923 English archaeologist Howard Carter entered the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen.
TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY
On this day in 1996 chess champion Garry Kasparov defeated Deep Blue, IBM’s chess-playing computer, in the final game of a six-game match, winning the match 4-2.
WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY
On this day in 1885 author Mark Twain published his famous novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the United States.
THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY
On this day in 1878 Thomas Edison patented the phonograph, the first machine able to reproduce recorded sound.
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY
On this day in 1962 John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft.
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