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Manually compiled from over 300 sources - covering mainstream media, education press, education unions, professional bodies, government departments and agencies, and key education commentators and bloggers. 

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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS
Three of the week's headlines ...
Blair's proposal for seven in 10 to go to university 'beyond misguided'.
Read more
Government reveals new Natural History GCSE from 2025 to connect teens with wildlife.
Read more
Nadhim Zahawi warns of 'systematic antisemitism' within the National Union of Students.
Read more
View all this week's education news
Three pieces of policy news - by phase

GENERAL

  • World Economic Outlook. The IMF published its latest World Economic Outlook pointing to a slowdown in economic growth, from last year’s estimated 6.1% to this year’s 3.6%, largely due to damage from the Ukraine conflict and wider cost of living issues, and with the UK predicted to have the slowest growth among G7 countries next year at 1.2%.
  • Climate Change Strategy for education. The government set out its ‘sustainability and Climate Change Strategy’ for education and children’s services, first drafted at COP26 and now complete with a detailed list of five action areas and range of targets and partnerships embracing the entire education sector.
  • Jobs Outlook. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation and Savanta ComRes published their latest survey among employers about jobs, indicating that while employers were concerned about the economy and N.I. rise, hiring intentions for permanent staff in the short-term at least remained positive.

SCHOOLS

  • Primary School Offer Day. The government published information for parents to accompany the release of the confirmation of primary school places for this year, including the appeals process for those families unhappy with their offer.
  • Induction funding. The government announced additional funding for newly qualified teachers completing induction between summer 2021 and spring 2022 with eligible schools entitled to payments of £1,200 - £1,500 per inductee.
  • School funding. The Sutton Trust published the results of its latest poll on school funding carried out by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) pointing among other things to concerns about a lack of catch-up funding, funding worries in primary schools, and cost pressures on the use of teaching assistants and IT resources.

FE/SKILLS

  • T levels. The government updated its T level guidance with further links and information on the rollout timeline, transition programme and professional development.
  • Apprenticeship Levy reform. The 5% Club called on members to put forward their own ideas for Apprenticeship Levy reform, citing a number of issues it had identified through recent discussions such as funding, apprenticeship levels and ages, as it prepared to submit a response to the Chancellor.
  • Collab Group session. The Collab Group reported on its recent session with employers and trade bodies about working more closely with colleges, with employers calling for greater clarity on routes available and more direct pipelines of talent where possible, and with both sides recognising the need to work together amid changing economic conditions. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

  • Expanding student numbers. The Tony Blair Institute called in a new report for an increase in the numbers of young people going to university, arguing that increased skill needs meant at least 60% should be going by the end of 2030 and 70% by 2040.
  • Degree returns. The Institute for Fiscal Studies examined the financial returns on degrees in a report commissioned by the government indicating that degree grade remains key in many professions, although it varies by subject, but that graduates with a lower grade from a more selective university might have benefited by going to a less renowned institute and gaining a higher grade. 
  • Living Black at University. The Unite Commission followed up its earlier report into the experiences faced by many Black students in UK student accommodation by launching a year-long commission to seek further information and embed good practice. 
Catch up with the latest issues of Steve Besley's Education Eye
Latest research, reports and studies
Search our education research section
COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK
Parliament and elsewhere
WorldSkills International Skills Summit (Wednesday 26 April).
HEPI University Partners’ Policy Briefing Day (Wedneday 26 May).
Institute for Government event ‘Should all schools be academies?’ (Thursday 28 April).
Institute for Employment Studies virtual Annual Conference. (Thursday 28 April).
Launch of IPPR Commission on Health and Prosperity. (Thursday 28 April).
Youth Employment employers’ webinar on ‘Utilising Your Apprenticeship Levy’ (Friday 29 April).
Events and CPD opportunities
Monday 25 April: DfE Consultation on Lifelong Loan Entitlement (webinar) | AoC
Tuesday 26 April: T Levels - Transforming Post-16 Education (digital conference) | Westminster Insight 
Tuesday 26 April: Successfully Delivering the Early Career Framework in your School or Trust (online event) | Inside Government
Tuesday 26 April: Understanding School Admissions and Appeals (online event)| Inside Government
Tuesday 26 April: Ensuring Public Sector Website Accessibility and Compliance (online event) | Inside Government
Tuesday 26 April: Language for Learning: Meeting the Language Needs of Learners Using English as an Additional Language (online event) | The Bell Foundation
Tuesday 26 April: AoC Governance Professionals Conference (online event) | AoC
Tuesday 26 April: Supporting Effective Student Engagement Agendas in Higher Education (online event) | Inside Government
Wednesday 27 April: The Future of T Levels and Technical Education Forum (online event) | Inside Government
Wednesday 27 April: Schools & Academies Show (Excel, London) | Schools & Academies Show
Wednesday 27 April: Independent Schools SEND Conference (online event) | Inside Government
Thursday 28 April: Next Steps for Initial Teacher Training in England (online event) | Westminster Forum Projects
Friday 29 April: NAHT Annual Conference (Telford) | NAHT


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 25 APRIL

On this day in 1816 the poet Lord Byron left England, never to return.
On this day in 1859 work began on the Suez Canal.
On this day in 1953 Francis Crick and James Watson revealed the role of DNA in human biology.
 
TUESDAY 26 APRIL

On this day in 1755 the first Russian university opened in Moscow.
On this day in 1986 a reactor exploded at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine.
On this day in 1992 worshippers celebrated the Russian Orthodox Easter in Moscow for the first time in 74 years.
 
WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL

On this day in 1296 the Scots were defeated by Edward I of England in the Battle of Dunbar.
On this day in 1667 blind and impoverished, English poet John Milton sold the copyright of Paradise Lost for £10. 
On this day in 1945 Russian and American troops joined hands at the River Elbe in Germany.
 
THURSDAY 28 APRIL

On this day in 1789 the crew of HMS Bounty mutinied against the harsh regime of Captain Bligh.
On this day in 1945 Benito Mussolini was killed by Italian partisans.
On this day in 1947 Thor Heyerdahl and five crewmates set sail from Peru on the Kon-Tiki raft to prove that Peruvians could have colonised Polynesia.
 
FRIDAY 29 APRIL

On this day in 1770 Captain Cook landed in Australia, naming the continent New South Wales.
On this day in 1945 Adolf Hitler married Eva Braun in his Berlin bunker.
On this day in 1945 US forces liberated the Dachau concentration camp.
 
SATURDAY 30 APRIL

On this day in 311 the Roman Emperor Galerius published an edict permitting Christians to practise their religion without persecution.
On this day in 1665 Samuel Pepys made his first diary reference to the great plague.
On this day in 1789 George Washington was inaugurated as the first American president.
 
SUNDAY 01 MAY

On this day in 1707 the union of England and Scotland was proclaimed.
On this day in 1851 the Great Exhibition at Hyde Park was opened by Queen Victoria.
On this day in 1945 Germany announced the death of Hitler.
Awareness days from around the world
APRIL IS:

UK:
Child Abuse Awareness Month, Stress Awareness Month, Pet Month,  Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.
INTERNATIONAL:
IBS Awareness Month,  Caesarean Awareness Month, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, 

THIS WEEK IS:
Go Diaper Free Week - US (April 24 to April 30).

MONDAY APRIL 25

DNA Day (UK), World Penguin Day (International), Hug a Plumber Day (US), Financial Awareness Day (US), Anzac Day (US), Zuccini Bread Day (US).

TUESDAY APRIL 26
 
World IP Day (International), Chernobyl Remembrance Day (International), World Burlesque Day (International), Hug an Australian Day (US), Get Organised Day (US), Pretzel Day (US), Richter Scale Day (US), Help a Horse Day (US), Alien Day (US).

WEDNESDAY APRIL 27
 
Denim Day (International), Stop Food Waste Day (International), Guide Dog Day (International), World Tapir Day (International), Morse code Day (US), Tell a Story Day (US), Prime Rib Day (US), Marine Mammal Rescue Day (US).
 
THURSDAY APRIL 28
 
Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (International), Global Pay it Forward Day (International), World Day for Safety and Health at Work (International), Workers’ Memorial Day (International), Superhero Day (US), Love Your Thighs Day (US), Clean Comedy Day (US), Shrimp Scampi Day (US), Biological Clock Day (US), Worker’s Memorial Day (US), Cubicle Day (US), Blueberry Pie Day (US).

FRIDAY APRIL 29
 

We Jump the World Day (International), Dance Day (international), World Wish Day (International), Arbor Day (US), Hairball Awareness Day (US), Zipper Day (US).
 
SATURDAY APRIL 30
 
Walpurgis Night (International), World Veterinary Day (International) Jazz Day (International), Honesty Day (US), Oatmeal Cookie Day (US), Sense of Smell Day (US), Save the Frogs Day (US), Go Birding Day (US), Independent Bookstore Day (US).

 SUNDAY MAY 01

 World Laughter Day (International), Workers Day (International), Global Love Day (International), Therapeutic Massage Day (US), Purebred Dog Day (US), School Bus Drivers Day (US), Lemonade Day (US), Executive Coaching Day (US), Mother Goose Day (US), New Home Owners Day (US), School Principals’ Day (US), Lei Day (US).
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