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, not-to-be-missed statistics and what to look out for next week.

As your starter for ten we've chosen three items from each phase to include below ...

GENERAL
PM’s Conference speech. Liz Truss rounded off the Conservative Party Conference with a 30+ minute speech focused on growth, ‘building for a new era’ and a commitment to deliver, acknowledging that things were tough, but promising action in three areas: lowering the tax burden; keeping ‘an iron grip’ on the nation’s finances; and delivering economic reforms.
The Chancellor’s speech. The Chancellor acknowledged the problems caused by the recent mini-budget as he addressed the Conservative Party Conference, but argued that the growth plan was the right thing overall; that a string of announcements was in the pipeline; and that a medium-term fiscal plan would be published “shortly”.
Education 2022.The OECD published its latest Education at a Glance compendium, providing a mass of data and information on the performance of education systems across the OECD countries and partners, suggesting ‘a gradual return to normality after the pandemic’ and progress in tertiary education.

SCHOOLS
Education Secretary’s speech. The latest Education Secretary, Kit Malthouse, addressed the Conservative Party Conference, where despite not mentioning grammar schools, managed to raise hackles by claiming that education needed ‘constant attention and constant pressure in order to drive it forward’.
Dear Secretary of State. The ASCL expressed concerns about some of the claims made in the Education Secretary’s Conference speech, particularly about ‘hanging on to mediocrity’ and ‘needing constant attention’, calling for an early opportunity to discuss matters with him.
Education funding. Leading education and professional bodies wrote to the PM and Education Secretary calling on them to acknowledge what they called “a looming education funding crisis”, pointing out the risks likely to come with this.

FE/SKILLS
Strike ballot. The NEU called on the Education Secretary to make funds ‘immediately’ available for an above-inflation-rate pay increase for sixth form college teachers, or face a likely ballot for strike action.
Class of Covid. The Prince’s Trust and partners launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the impact of Covid on young people aged 16-25, with reports of many continuing to face challenges over jobs, skills training, the cost-of-living, and confidence-building generally.
Prisoner apprenticeships. The government confirmed the launch of a new scheme to allow certain groups of prisoners to undertake an apprenticeship, with a number of big-name employers stepping in to offer placements. 

HIGHER EDUCATION
Equality of Opportunity. The Office for Students (OfS) launched a consultation on proposals to create a new Risk Register to be used by HE institutions. The Risk Register would highlight challenges and data when HEIs are setting out their future access and participation plans, to allow for a more targeted and evaluative approach.
Students on placement. Universities UK published a set of recommendations, with case study evidence, for supporting students on placements – with a before, during, and after checklist to help particularly vulnerable students.
Graduate jobs. The institute of Student Employers reported on recent research from Careerpass Network, showing how the cost of living was impinging on graduate career options, with, for example, nearly half (46%) saying the cost of living was too high for them to move to their preferred location, and similar numbers looking for higher salaries and employer support accordingly.
 

Why is numeracy in the early years so important? | CEM
Children should be taught personal finance and learn about other cultures in school, according to new survey | British Council 
Advance HE publishes 17 case studies resulting from its Global Impact Grants 2022 | Advance HE 
Developing problem solving strategies in mathematics | Education Endowment Foundation
How should we prepare UK business students to become digital ready business leaders? | BERA
The Knowledge - This week's research highlights | Schools Week
Establishing the regular melodic rhythm of school life | Research Schools Network
Routines for relationships - three conversations | Research Schools Network
Research on implementing EdTech in schools | Teacher Toolkit
 

Monday 10 October: ASCL Data and Regulation Conference – Follow Up | ASCL (webinar)
Tuesday 11 October: Meaningful Whole School SEND Training for Independent Schools | Inside Government (one-day online training)
Tuesday 11 October: Effective Written Responses to Complaints in Education
| Understanding ModernGov (online one-day course)
Tuesday 11 October: AoC Curriculum Conference: A Time Of Change
| AOC (two-day online conference)
Wednesday 12 October National Workplace Health and Wellbeing Conference 2022 | Inside Government (in-person conference in Central London)
Wednesday 13 October: MATs Summit 2022 | Optimus Education (two day in-person summit in Stratford-upon-Avon)

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.