LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS Three of the week's headlines ... Cap on foreign student numbers could send UK universities over the edge. Read more Survey: More than a third of UK school support staff helping pupils pay for food. Read more Teachers deliberately misled over pay offer, Scottish union claims. Read more Visit EdNews to filter all the education news by phase or topic Three pieces of policy news - by phase Follow this linkto 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 below ... GENERAL   PM’s address. Rishi Sunak highlighted the importance of innovation, how this can be used to support economic growth and transform public services, and how government was supporting the development of the skills needed for innovation, as he addressed business leaders at the CBI Annual Conference  DG’s address. Tony Danker, Director-General at the CBI outlined three priorities as the basis for growth (greater business ingenuity, more private sector investment, government provision of pro-growth rules) in an opening address to the organisation’s Annual Conference. Me and my team. The Education Secretary explained her priorities which included responding to the SEND and AP Green Paper, supporting tutoring catchup in schools, skills reform and technical qualifications, and the introduction of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement, as she introduced herself and her team via a DfE blog.    SCHOOLS:   Multiplication tables. The government published for the first-time data on the multiplication tables check taken by Year 4 pupils this summer, showing that over a quarter of them achieved full marks, although less so for disadvantaged pupils. Exemption inspections. Ofsted published initial findings from its recent re-inspections of schools previously exempt from inspection for being graded outstanding, reporting that of those reinspected last year, over 80% had not retained the outstanding grade. Teacher supply. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) revealed in a new Nuffield funded report the extent of teacher recruitment and retention issues, with many non-specialist teachers having to be used in subjects like maths and sciences to cover for shortages.    FE/SKILLS:   T level funding. The government set out the guidance for Wave 5 of the T level Capital Fund which will see £150m+ available for estate and equipment needs for those delivering in 2024/5, with applications to be in by 3 Feb 2023.  Apprenticeship data. The government published the final figures for apprenticeships and traineeships for the 2021/22 year showing an increase in uptake largely at higher and advanced levels but a further slowdown in traineeships. VQ Update. Ofqual published latest quarterly data for vocational and other qualifications for the period July – Sept 2022 showing a drop in the overall number of certificates issued in this period, notably in some L2 and L3 areas.   HE:   R/D. The government confirmed further investment in UK research and development including UK leadership of the fusion sector as talks continue about UK access to EU programmes such as Horizon and Euratom. Industrial action expectations. The Office for Students (OfS) issued updated (from last year) guidance for what institutions are expected to provide during a time of industrial action to ensure that regulatory, including consumer protection, requirements are met and students are not disadvantaged.  Regulatory Framework. The Office for Students (OfS) published the latest and full 200+ page version of its regulatory framework, incorporating amendments introduced during the year. Access all issues of Steve Besley's Education Eye Latest research, reports and studies Reskilling for net zero | Learning & Work Institute Using storybooks to promote high-quality talk in maths | EEF Education technology for remote teaching | NFER Implementation factors that support remote teaching: guidance for schools and colleges | NFER Socio-economic attainment gap remains stubbornly wide after pandemic, with reading skills particularly affected | EEF Impact of Covid-19-related school closures in Key Stage 1 on attainment and social skills of pupils in Year 2 and Year 3 | NFER PhD students prefer in-person supervision, but online persists | THE Reforming the UCAS personal statement: Making the case for a series of short questions | HEPI Previously outstanding secondary schools | FFT Education Datalab Briefing No 4: Mental health and wellbeing | COSMO VOG: Using volcanic eruptions to estimate the impact of air pollution on student learning outcomes | Institute for Fiscal Studies Choosing between earning and learning: A new report on the experiences of estranged students in higher education | HEPI Education policy outlook 2022: Transforming pathways for lifelong learners | OECD Report: Teacher supply and shortages - the implications of teacher supply challenges for schools and pupils | NFER Researching youth: An educational methodology | BERA New literature review on internationalisation | Advance HE  Transitions, wellbeing and mental health: Education after lockdown | BERA Search our education research section COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK Parliament and elsewhere Education Questions for MPs (Monday 28 November.) Education Committee session on careers guidance (Tuesday 29 November). Launch of Institute for Employment Studies Report and Commission on Future Employment Support (Friday 2 December). Events and CPD opportunities Tuesday 29 November: Delivering Impact through the Transformed UK Athena Swan Charter  | Inside Government (online event) Tuesday 29 November: Is Girls’ Education The Answer To Everything? | IoE Faculty of Education and Society (online lecture) Tuesday 29 November: RSHE Digital Masterclass: Parental engagement | Optimus Education (online masterclass) Tuesday 29 November: AoC Governance Finance Masterclass Series – Autumn 2022 | AoC (online event) Wednesday 30 November: Regional Governor Conference - Midlands/East  | AoC (online conference) Wednesday 30 November: Digital and Social Media Marketing for Higher Education  | Inside Government (online course) Wednesday 30 November: Trust Leaders: Executive Programme | Leading teaching, curriculum and assessment across a trust (Module 5) | ASCL (in-person event in Birmingham) Thursday 01 December: FE Data Forum Webinar: What does college data for 2021-22 tell us? | AoC (online event) Thursday 01 December:  FESLP Alumni Winter Retreat | Education & Training Foundation (24-hour residential alumni event in Oxford) Friday 02 December: Understanding the changes to college benchmarking tool and potential benefits webinar | AoC (webinar) 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. See all events Three interesting daily facts MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER On this day in 1660 a meeting of 12 scholars, including Christopher Wren, decided to set up a College for the Promoting of Physico-Mathematical Experimental Learning, which became the Royal Society. On this day in 1919 Nancy, Viscountess Astor, won a by-election in Plymouth, becoming the first female MP to sit in the House of Commons. On this day in 1990 Margaret Thatcher formally tendered her resignation as prime minister and left Downing Street for the last time.   TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER On this day in 1877 Thomas Edison demonstrated his hand-cranked phonograph, which recorded sound onto cylinders. On this day in 1935 Physicist Erwin Schrodinger published his famous thought experiment ‘Schrodinger’s Cat’, a paradox that illustrates the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. On this day in 1947 the UN voted to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state, with Jerusalem internationally administered.   WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER On this day in 1487 the first German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot), was promulgated in Munich by Albert VI, Duke of Bavaria, stating beer should be brewed from only three ingredients – water, malt and hops. On this day in 1648 the English Parliamentary army captured King Charles I. On this day in 1678 Roman Catholics were banned from the English Parliament.   THURSDAY 01 DECEMBER On this day in 1913 the world’s first moving assembly line was opened by carmakers Ford. On this day in 1955 Rosa Parks, an African American, was arrested in Alabama for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. On this day in 1995 the former Barings Ban trader Nick Leeson pleaded guilty to fraud related to losses that broke the bank.   FRIDAY 02 DECEMBER On this day in 1697 the quire, the first part of Christopher Wren’s St Pauls Cathedral to be finished, was opened.  On this day in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself French Emperor in Paris. On this day in 1971 six states formed the independent United Arab Emirates.   SATURDAY 03 DECEMBER On this day in 1586 Sir Thomas Herriot introduced potatoes to England from Columbia. On this day in 1854 Eureka Stockdale: in what is claimed by many to be the birth of Australian democracy, more than 20 goldminers at Ballerat, Victoria, were killed by state troopers in an uprising over mining licences. On this day in 1946 the US government asked the UN to order dictator Francisco Franco out of Spain.   SUNDAY 04 DECEMBER On this day in 1791 the oldest Sunday newspaper in the world, The Observer, was first published. On this day in 1988 Edwina Currie, under-secretary of state for health, sparked controversy by claiming that most British eggs produced were infected by salmonella.  On this day in 1889 Explorer Henery Morton Stanley’s expedition reached Bagamoyo in the Indian Ocean. Awareness days from around the world DECEMBER IS:    WORLDWIDE: Advent (religious: Christian – 27 November to 23 December), Food Service Safety Month, Bingo’s Birthday Month,  UK: Disability History Month (to December 16), Decembeard, Cancer Support Scotland, Nos Galan Road Races (Wales). US & CANADA: Eggnog Month, Month of Giving, Gift of Sight Month, Cat Lovers’ Month, Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, Pear Month, Tie Month, Volunteers Month, Write a Business Plan Month, Operation Santa Paws, Safe Toys and Gifts Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, Month of Overseas Filipinos, A Blue Christmas (24 November to 31 December).  OTHER COUNTRIES: Volunteerism Month (Philippines).   THIS WEEK IS: UK: Grief Awareness Week. US & CANADA Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, Cookie Cutter Week, Human Rights Consciousness Week (from Sunday 5 December).   MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER   US & CANADA Cyber Monday, French Toast Day, Red Planet Day, Alan Day, Brand Day, Cole Day, Madison Day, Patrick Day.  OTHER COUNTRIES: Chatham Islands Anniversary Day (New Zealand), Independence Day (Albania), Independence Day (Mauritania), Sovereignty Day (Argentina).   TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER   WORLDWIDE: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Isdal Woman Day.  US & CANADA: Day of Giving, Chocolates Day, Electronic Greetings Day, Giving Tuesday, Evan Day, Lemon Cream Pie Day, Square Dancing Day, Throw Out Your Leftovers Day, Chadwick Boseman Day.   WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER WORLDWIDE: Cities for Life Day. US & CANADA: Personal Space Day, Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, Perpetual Youth Day, Computer Security Day, Mississippi Day, Meth Awareness Day, Mousse Day, Stay Home Because You’re Well Day, Mason Jar Day, Choose Women Wednesday, Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare. OTHER COUNTRIES: Independence Day (Barbados), Guru Nanak Jayanti (India), Bonifacio Day (Philippines).   THURSDAY 01 DECEMBER WORLDWIDE: World AIDS Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance. UK: St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland). US & CANADA: Rosa Parks Day, Christmas Lights Day, Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day, Day With(out) Art Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, Pie Day, Antarctica Day, Civil Air Patrol Day, Package Protection Day, Peppermint Bark Day, Women Support Women Day, Prisoners for Peace Day, Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. OTHER COUNTRIES: Ben-Gurion Day (Israel), Central African Republic Day, Freedom and Democracy Day (Chad), First President’s Day (Kazakhstan), Commemoration Day (UAE), Independence Day (Portugal), Independence Day (Romania), State Inauguration Day (Nagaland).   FRIDAY 02 DECEMBER WORLDWIDE: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, World Futures Day, Computer Literacy Day, Pollution Prevention Day.  UK: Fuel Poverty Awareness Day. US & CANADA: Fritters Day, Mutt Day, Special Education Day, Faux Fur Friday, Business of Popping Corn Day, Bartender Day, Build Joy, Katherine Day, Skip School Day, Play Basketball Day, Safety razor Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: National Day (Lao), National Day (UAE), Asom Divas (India), Anytime Hawaiian Day (Hawaii).   SATURDAY 03 DECEMBER WORLDWIDE: Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Religious: Christian), International Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Sweater Festival. UK: Tree Dressing Day, Small Business Saturday. US & CANADA: Rhubarb Vodka Day, SKYWARN Recognition Day, Roof Over Your Head Day, Bartender Appreciation Day, Candle Day, Coats and Toys for Kids Day, Let’s Hug Day, Make a Gift Day, Dorothy Day, Heather Day, Issac Day, Lisa Day, Ronald Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: Day of Navarre (Spain), Crate Day (New Zealand), Saba Day (Saba), Farmers’ Day (Ghana).   SUNDAY 04 DECEMBER   WORLDWIDE: International Cheetah Day, Wildlife Conservation Day, Global Fat Bike Day, International Day of Banks. US & CANADA: Santa’s List Day, Tree Dressing Day, Cookie Day, Dice Day, Sock Day, Cabernet Franc Day, Chester Greenwood (Earmuff) Day, Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day, Francis Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day. Share Tweet Forward   Not already an EdCentral member? 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