GENERAL:
Economic Outlook. The IMF indicated that the energy crisis arising out of the Iran War will hit the UK hardest among leading economies as it published its latest World Economic Outlook, pointing to the UK having the lowest predicted growth among leading economies this year, albeit with things set to pick up next year.
Cyber threats. The government wrote an open letter to businesses highlighting the shifting nature of cyber threats emerging from ‘a new generation of AI models,’ and reminding them of the importance of following essential cyber hygiene measures, including the Cyber Governance Code of Practice.
Social media. The PM hosted a meeting of leading tech companies setting out the government’s position and calling on the companies take greater responsibility over its sites, as its major consultation on online safety and the case for any ban reaches the halfway stage.
Social media bans. The Molly Rose Foundation called on the government to strengthen the Online Safety Act rather than ban social media for young people, as it published new survey evidence showing that the ban in Australia was being widely circumnavigated with big tech companies failing to close down underage accounts. SCHOOLS:
School dinners. The government called on schools to publish their menus online and to appoint a lead governor for school food as it published consultation designed to ensure healthier options for children as part of new School Food Standards.
School ready. The government issued, as part of primary school offer day, new guidance and practical advice for families to help them prepare children for the transition to school, urging key players to work together in identifying needs and helping build ‘a smooth start’ in anything from hygiene to meals, for their school careers.
Teacher recruitment. SchoolDash and Teacher Tapp pointed to potential low staff turnover and a fall in teacher vacancies in secondary schools, albeit with variations in certain subjects and regions, as they published their latest report on the secondary school recruitment market ahead of the traditional peak hiring season.
Educational Psychologists. The Education Policy Institute reported on the educational psychology workforce finding low staffing levels and wide gaps in provision that could hinder levels of support for SEND and other pupils in need.
Careers education. The Chief Exec of the Careers and Enterprise Co outlined in an open letter to partners, the company’s intention to bid to continue as the national careers body under any future planned bidding process while affirming the importance of its current priorities.
AI and careers guidance. The Ada Lovelace Institute and Nuffield Foundation looked into the role, regulation and impact of AI in careers guidance arguing that while it’s being increasing deployed by both professionals and young people, further training, testing and evaluation, policy and support is needed.
SEND reform. Union leaders among others highlighted key issues around SEND that need resolving in an evidence session to MPs, pointing in particular to the need for increased support for schools and staff, a clear implementation plan and a more realistic approach to individual support plans. FE/SKILLS:
16-19 funding. The government dismayed many colleges by announcing that, due to high volumes it was only able ‘to provide three-quarters of the 16-19 funding expected,’ with colleges expected to find the rest of the money needed to cover the increased numbers this year.
TECs. The government announced funding and support for the next batch of ‘technical excellence colleges’ (TECs) that will begin delivery this month across the UK, focusing on four key industries including clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence and digital.
City and Guilds. FE Week reported that members at this week’s CGLI Annual Meeting had won the right to an independent review into the sale of its commercial arm and attendant issues, which will aim to report within the next six months.
NEETs Review. Alan Milburn pointed to differing home influences, a lack of focus in schools on key skills and perverse incentives as among the factors leading to high levels of youth unemployment as he prepares to release the interim findings from his review into the matter next month.
English and maths. The Social Mobility Commission published a new think piece on the vexed issue of English and maths resits, calling for the current system to be built on through set hours, targeted investment and shared best practice, rather than dismantled and rebuilt again.
Skills Olympics. WorldSkills UK formally confirmed the 26 ‘talented apprentices and young professionals’ that will participate as Team UK in the WorldSkills event in Shanghai this September.
New member. The AELP welcomed PeoplePlus to its membership Patron scheme intended to enhance greater collaboration and sharing of expertise across the skills system. HE:
Student loans. HEPI and the NUS put forward a more progressive, ‘stepped’ system of loan repayments ranging between 3% and 7% and spread over 30 years, following analysis from London Economics showing that under the current Plan 2, graduates end up paying more while the Treasury reaps higher returns.
Student protection. The OfS launched consultation on a set of proposals intended to ensure better ‘consumer’ protection for students with, for example, a list of things HE providers must and mustn’t do, the adoption of ‘clear fairness principles’ and easy access to key documents on institutional websites.
Regional access partnerships. The OfS reported on its call for evidence issued last year on regional access partnerships, the proposed successor programme to Uni Connect, outlining some of the key themes that emerged around collaboration and design and confirming that implementation will now shift to Sept 2027.
Erasmus+. The government confirmed the signing of the formal agreement for the UK to adopt the Erasmus+ scheme from next year, enabling a hoped for 100,000+ young people in the first instance to benefit from work and study abroad, with the British Council set to become the lead agency for the scheme.
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