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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:
Keep Britain Working. The government reported on progress being made as part of its Keep Britain Working Review with the so-called 3-year Vanguard phase which along with a Workplace Health Intelligence Unit will work with regions and providers to ‘transform workplace health and inclusion in the UK.’
Profit warnings. EY-Parthenon published the latest data on company profit warnings for the first quarter of this year, showing a ‘marked rise’ in warnings in light of the Middle Eastern conflict, with software and industrial support services along with the travel and construction industries among the hardest hit.
Labour market. The ONS published its latest estimated data on the UK labour market pointing to a largely flat picture with unemployment down in the months to February but economic inactivity particularly among the young up and vacancies down with pay growth slowing.
Industrial Trends. The CBI published its latest industrial Trends Survey showing a significant drop in manufacturing output in the three months to April, pointing to ‘warning signs flashing’ about such factors as energy costs and general sector pessimism.
Children’s Homes. The consultancy Public First highlighted issues around unregistered children’s homes in a new report, finding the shortage of suitable places and the rising complexity of need among the factors causing a massive rise in such places, calling for changes to registration and regulation as a way forward.
Cyber security. The head of the national Cyber Security Centre highlighted the range of new cyber challenges facing the country as he addressed the CYBERUK Conference, suggesting that cyberspace was now ‘part of the contested space between peace and war.’ SCHOOLS:
Falling rolls. The NAO highlighted in a new report the financial risk to schools of falling pupil numbers, suggesting that the government has not been quick enough to respond and needed to work with local authorities to collect better data, develop coherent approaches and good practice, and build on its recent estates strategy.
Funding cuts. The Sutton Trust reported on its NFER based survey of school budgets, finding schools struggling with ‘squeezed budgets’ with TAs, support staff, SEND resources and some subject staff facing the worst of the cutbacks.
Mobile phones. The government confirmed that it would introduce an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to put the ban on mobile phones in schools on to a statutory footing.
School estate. The Education Committee published the government’s response to its Inquiry into school buildings, which acknowledged many of the issues raised, underlined its recent Strategy and investment and confirmed the role of the HSE on tackling asbestos.
Regulator’s rebuke. Ofqual issued its first Chief Regulator’s Rebuke, a non-statutory censure, to the exam board WJEC CBAC Ltd for non-compliance with regard to three subjects.
SEND. FFT Education Datalab examined transition arrangements between primary and secondary education for SEND pupils, suggesting a mixed picture with some drop in provision in secondary but an increase in SEND magnet schools.
Mental health. The Centre for Young Lives and partners examined the growing pressures around children’s mental health experienced by many families, using evidence from parents on Mumsnet over the last ten years to paint a picture “where childhood has changed quickly and where support systems have not fully kept pace.”
AQA Charity Fund. The AQA exam board announced the launch of a new Purpose Driven Partnerships Fund intended to support initiatives and best practice in areas like digital learning, vocational development and disadvantaged learners. FE/SKILLS:
L2/3 qualifications. The Education Secretary set out her ‘steer’ to Ofqual on the role, design, assessment and timeframe for the proposed new suite of L2 and 3 qualifications of V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates, leaving to Ofqual follow up with a range of associated consultations for the key features.
Young people and work. The government released initial findings from its survey among teachers about young people’s skills and employment opportunities, finding most calling for a broader curriculum with greater opportunities for the development of soft skills and preparation for work.
NEETs. The Centre for Young Lives reported on its work with McDonalds looking into the issue of NEETs, pointing to an increasingly challenging labour market, fragmented support and poor work preparation for young people as key factors and calling for cross-departmental but targeted action as a way forward.
FE workforce. The government updated its data on the FE college workforce showing a lowering of the attrition rate among the approx. 57,000 teachers but as the NFER pointed out, continuing underlying concerns about pay, progression and workloads.
Adult education. The Skills Federation published its response to the APPG Inquiry into Adult Education, reinforcing the important role sector skill bodies can play in driving training and support as well as identifying and responding to changing skill needs.
Skill Mill. The Youth Endowment Fund announced plans to expand and evaluate The Skill Mill, a social enterprise that supports young offenders with paid work, mentoring and subsequent transition to further training or employment. HE:
Freedom of speech. The government confirmed delayed plans for university staff, visitors and others, though not students, to be able to lodge complaints with the regulator from September about freedom of speech and for the OfS to be able to impose fines from next April.
Building the future. Ian Sollom, Lib Dem MP and Spokesperson for Universities and Skills reflected in a comment piece for HEPI on the challenges currently facing HE, putting forward three options for the future including undertaking managed consolidation, relying on international students and/or adopting a lifelong learning model, with the Party favouring the third of these options.
Dearing Review. John Blake, director of Wonkhe ‘s Post-18 Project, called for a major review of post-18 education as he published a new paper for the Project, looking into the state of English HE following the Dearing Review some 30 years ago, and finding it ‘simply not working.’
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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 ‘Screen Time and Social Media’ (Tuesday 28 April)
techUK webinar on ‘AI Assurance in Education’ (Tuesday 28 April)
Likely MPs recess ahead of the local elections on 7 May (Wednesday 29 April on)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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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. If we believe it's relevant to our readers we will consider publishing it.
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MONDAY 27 APRIL
On this day in 1667 blind and impoverished, English poet John Milton sold the copyright of Paradise Lost for £10.
TUESDAY 28 APRIL
On this day in 1770 British Captain James Cook aboard the Endeavour landed at Botany Bay in Australia.
WEDNESDAY 29 APRIL
On this day in 1990 wrecking cranes began tearing down the Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate.
THURSDAY 30 APRIL
On this day in 1989 the world wide web was first launched in the public domain by CERN scientist Tim Berners-Lee.
FRIDAY 01 MAY
On this day in 1707 the Acts of Union came into force uniting England and Scotland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
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