Women in Work Index. PwC published its latest Women in Work Index covering different aspects of women’s work and lives across 30+ OECD countries and showing that after a decade of progress, things had fallen back recently as the pandemic hit women’s pay and prospects but noting that the UK had managed to progress its work on employment equality, reaching ninth in the ranking of OECD 33 countries. 
Living Standards. The Resolution Foundation published its 2022 Outlook on living standards painting a pretty bleak picture with the current Ukraine crisis likely to add to concerns about rising inflation and energy costs leaving average households facing ‘the sharpest fall in incomes since the mid-1970s.’ 

SCHOOLS

Catch-up programme. The Education Committee published its report into the government’s education recovery programme, hailing the work of those who supported pupils during the lockdown but highlighting the learning loss facing many pupils and calling for a major funded recovery programme built around tutoring, mental health support and extra-curricular programmes.
Further recovery plans. The Education Secretary prepared to outline plans to provide more support for teachers to aid learning recovery by reconfiguring Oak National Academy as an Arm’s Length Body to the DfE, working with the Education Endowment Foundation to highlight best practice and provide resources for teachers to match.
Exams and assessments 2022. Ofqual published a ‘Student Guide to Exams and Assessment’ this year, bringing together much of the information already out such as the modifications and advance information on exams but also outlining system procedures such as grading and the publication of results, for those less familiar with them after two years of no exams.
Staff pay. The Association of Colleges (AoC) called on the government to undertake an analysis of college pay levels and to look at aligning the recommended starting salary of £30,000 for school teachers with that for college staff.
Earn and Learn. The 5% Club, which recognises employers that aspire to have 5% of their workforce in skills training, announced the launch of its 2022 ‘Earn and Learn’ recognition scheme, with an awards ceremony planned for early December. 
Digital experiences.  JISC reported on its survey among professional services service staff, many of whom like teaching staff had to adapt to different ways of working during lockdown, but finding similar challenges with 23% reporting shared drives and 11% lacking fit for purpose laptops.

HIGHER EDUCATION

HE finances. The National Audit Office (NAO) issued a report on the Office for Students (OfS) and its work in ensuring the financial sustainability of the sector in light of the pandemic and longer-term challenges, recognising the work of the OfS and its use of data but suggesting that it still has some way to go to convince all users about its approach. 
Fair admissions. Universities UK (UUK) published a new Fair Admissions Code of Practice, based on revised Schwartz principles, developed by UUK and Guild HE, self-regulatory in format, and setting out a range of principles including not using ‘conditional unconditional’ offers and only using conditional offers in limited circumstances. 
Innovation Deals. The HE Commission published its report into the role of universities in boosting local economies in the context of levelling up, recommending the creation of local Innovation Deals led by local leaders with funding and powers to help drive skills, R/D and regional innovation.

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MARCH IS:

UK: 
Brain Tumour Awareness Month, Marie Curie's Great Daffodil Appeal, National Bed Month, Dechox, Veggie Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Walk All Over Cancer, Endo The Night.
INTERNATIONAL: 
Endometriosis Awareness Month. 
US:
National Irish-American Heritage Month, National Women’s History Month, National Cheerleading Safety Month, National Umbrella Month, Brain Injury Awareness Month, National Nutrition Month, National Frozen Food Month, National Noodle Month, National Flour Month, National Peanut Month, National Caffeine Awareness Month, National Celery Month, National Sauce Month, National Credit Education Month, Asset Management Awareness Month, National Social Work Month, Craft Month, Moustache March, Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month, National Save Your Vision Month, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, National Kidney Month, National Trisomy Awareness Month, National Athletic Training Month, National Breast Implant Awareness Month. 

THIS WEEK IS:

UK: 
British Science Week (11-19 March), Programming for primaries (11-20 March), Compost Week (14-20 March), Healthcare Science Week, Neurodiversity Celebration Week (14-19 March).
INTERNATIONAL: 
World Salt Awareness Week..
US:
Brain Awareness Week, National Surveyors Week, National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, National Introverts Week, National Button Week, National Animal Poison Prevention week, National Fix a Leak Week, Girl Scout Week, National Agriculture Week – March 20-26, World Glaucoma Week, Termite Awareness Week.

MONDAY 14 MARCH IS:
Commonwealth Day (UK), No Smoking Day (UK), Popcorn Lovers Day (UK), Dog Theft Awareness Day (UK), Learn about butterflies Day (UK), Children's Craft Day (US), Learn About Butterflies Day (US),  Pi Day (US),  Potato Chip Day (US), Write Down your Story Day (US), Napping Day (US), Equal Pay Day (US).

TUESDAY 15 MARCH IS:
World Social Work Day (International), World Speech Day (International), Everything you Think is Wrong Day (US),  Kansas Day (US),  Pears Helene Day (US), Shoe the World Day (US).

WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH IS:
World Panic Day (International), Lips Appreciation Day (US), Everything You Do is Right Day (US), Artichoke Hearts Day (US), Curl Crush Day (US), Freedom of Information Day (US), Panda Day (US), SBDC Day (US).

THURSDAY 17 MARCH IS:
St Patrick's Day (International), World Kidney Day (International), International School Meals Day, Social Prescribing Day (International), Corned Beef and Cabbage Day (US), National Farm Rescuer Day (US), Absolutely Incredible Kid Day (US).

FRIDAY 18 MARCH IS:
World Sleep Day (International), Awkward Moments Day (US), Biodiesel Day (US), Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day (US), Sloppy Joe Day (US), Supreme Sacrifice Day (US).

SATURDAY 19 MARCH IS:
Backyard Day (US), Certified Nurses Day (US), Chocolate Caramel Day (US), Let's Laugh Day (US), Poultry Day (US), Corn Dog Day (US), Quilting Day (US).

SUNDAY 20 MARCH IS:
First Day of Spring (Spring Equinox/Vernal Equinox), International Day of Happiness (International), World Storytelling Day (International), World Flour Day (International), Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (US), Proposal Day (US), Ravioli Day (US), Let's Laugh Day (US), Poultry Day (US), Corn Dog Day (US), Quilting Day (US).