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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:
Call for evidence. Sir David Bell, who is leading the independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges in England, launched a call for evidence that will remain open until the end of June this year, with findings due to be published in the autumn.
Employment Rights. Leading employer organisations and business groups expressed concern about the lack of dialogue with government over the implementation of some aspects of the recent Employment Rights Act, calling for ‘tripartite conversations’ with government and unions to ensure future jobs, growth and skills development.
Economic security. The British Chambers of Commerce called for national security to become ‘a defining priority’ for the economy and for the UK to adopt ‘a trade bazooka’ to counter hostile trade actions, as it highlighted trade pressures on companies in a new report.
Cost of living support for families. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) outlined some of the challenges facing families, particularly those already in poverty, arising out of the current cost of living crisis, calling for government to consider removing the benefit cap and increasing child benefit for those most in need. SCHOOLS:
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The government hailed the final passing of its major Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, pointing to such key measures as new safeguarding requirements, SEND reforms, caps on branded school uniforms and a new admissions framework, with further work on mobile phones to come.
School buildings. The NAHT reported on its recent member survey into school buildings with just over a half of respondents saying they had buildings or areas not able to be used and calling, ahead of its forthcoming annual conference, for increased capital investment for the future.
Ofsted inspections. The NAHT reported on its analysis of recent inspection reports suggesting that schools with high numbers of deprived or SEND pupils appeared to receive poorer judgements than those with less deprived intakes.
Absence fines. The Education Policy Institute reported on Penalty Notices issued for pupil absences, noting that although they had ‘plateaued’ following the introduction of a National Framework, the enforcement of fines remains a ‘lottery’ with London issuing the fewest number of fines but areas like Yorkshire and Humber issuing some of the most
School admissions. The Sutton Trust continued its work on seeking to make the school admissions system more inclusive by setting out a Fair Schools Admissions Framework with recommendations for government and school leaders, along with a free hub of resources to help schools review their policies in this area.
MATs. Education Datalab examined the current state of play with MATs, concluding that despite more schools joining up, it could be some time before the government’s quest for all schools to be part of a trust is realised.
AI guidance. Ofqual issued guidance for awarding organisations and others on the risks of AI-related malpractice in assessment highlighting what to look out for and the sorts of steps that should be taken to detect, manage and prevent.
Digital literacy. Exam board AQA called for digital literacy to be embedded in the school curriculum arguing that it would help protect young people from online risks and make them better prepared generally for modern life and work.
Maths classes. The Education Endowment Foundation called for more flexibility in mixed-attainment maths groups and for teachers to be prepared to stretch high-attainment students as it published commissioned IoE research showing that mixed-attainment grouping in maths can help those with low prior-attainment but not all those with high-attainment.
Languages. The British Council reported that many primary school children would like to learn a language let alone visit another country, as it published the results of a survey conducted among 7-11 yr olds. FE/SKILLS: 16-19 performance measures. The government launched consultation on proposals for updating and improving 16-19 performance measures, including simplifying the retention measure, refocusing progress and outcome measures in English and maths, and ensuring qualification achievement rates reflect learner progress in future.
NEETs. The Resolution Foundation examined the recent rise in NEET rates in the UK and why they’re higher here than in many other competitor countries, arguing that some of it’s down to a flat labour market but some also to higher economic inactivity, calling as a result for retaining more young people in education and training and ensuring better support.
Student premium. The Guardian reported that a number of organisations including the AoC, Sixth Form Colleges Association and Impetus were calling on the government to support a post-16 student premium that could help prevent young people from falling into joblessness.
AI skills. The London Mayor announced the creation of a new Taskforce for London that will be chaired by Baroness Martha Lane-Fox and which will assess the impact of AI on work in the capital and the steps needed to support opportunities and development as AI grows in the future. HE:
Sussex case. The Times Higher reported on the ruling by the High Court this week which saw Sussex University win its appeal in a free speech case brought against it by the OfS, with the Court arguing that the regulator had ’misdirected itself’ and acted beyond its powers in imposing a hefty fine
Weekend maintenance loans. The Chair of the Education Committee wrote to the NUS calling for their views on the likely implications of the recent withdrawal of funds for students studying on weekend only courses.
Annual Report. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) reported on its work over the last year where dealing with academic appeals and delays has been its biggest area of its work, but also where an increase in service issues as well as bullying and AI issues have helped put the system ‘under strain.’
Diploma review. The OfS announced a review into the Diploma in Education and Training programme following two concerning regulatory reports, with a report to follow looking into the last three years of a course used previously as a teaching qualification for FE.
Oxbridge admissions. HEPI called in a new report for ‘a phased programme of reform’ for Oxbridge admissions, pointing to a system that is inconsistent, complex and poorly coordinated, proposing initially a more standardised system and ultimately one that is fully centralised.
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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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NAHT Annual Conference (Friday 01 – Saturday 02 May)
Local borough, council and district elections (Thursday 07 May)
Schools and Academies Show (Thursday 07 May)
Launch of children’s commissioner’s ‘Big Future’ Survey (Friday 08 May)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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Wednesday 06 May: Mental Wellbeing in HE Conference 2026 | Advance HE (in-person event)
Wednesday 06 May: Summer Leadership Summit: The roadmap to 2030 | ASCL (in-person event)
Wednesday 06 May: AI's Okay, You're in Control | Skills & Education Group (online event)
Wednesday 06 May: Budget Setting, Monitoring & Financial Sustainability in Challenging Times | Schools North East (online event)
Wednesday 06 - Thursday 07 May: International Higher Education Forum 2026 | UUK (in-person event)
Wednesday 06 - Thursday 07 May: Marketing and Communications Conference 2026 | AoC (online event)
Thursday 07 May: Schools & Academies Show London | GovNet (in-person event)
Thursday 07 May: Skills and Education Group and Echo360 Funding Opportunity Information Session | Skills & Education Group (online event)
Thursday 07 May: University Transformation and Efficiency Summit 2026 | UUK (in-person event)
Friday 08 May: Next steps for UK universities and their local economies | Westminster Forum (online event)
Saturday 09 May: researchED Crieff (Scotland) | researchED (in-person event) |
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MONDAY 04 MAY
On this day in 1893 cowboy Bill Pickett invented bulldogging, the skill of grabbing cattle by the horns and wrestling them to the ground.
TUESDAY 05 MAY
On this day in 1921 fashion designer Coco Chanel officially debuted her iconic perfume Chanel No 5.
WEDNESDAY 06 MAY
On this day in 2001 during a trip to Syria, Pope John Paul II became the first pope to enter a mosque.
THURSDAY 07 MAY
On this day in 2012 paleoclimatological research claimed dinosaurs may have heated the earth by releasing huge amounts of methane.
FRIDAY 08 MAY
On this day in 1660 the English Parliament proclaimed Charles II King of England and invited him to return to London.
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