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GENERAL:

Labour market picture. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the latest set of labour market estimates showing little change to the overall employment rate which remains 1pp below pre-pandemic levels, with vacancy rates falling although still high, and where wages continue to be hit by inflation.

Deeper in debt. PwC and TotallyMoney reported that nearly 9m adults in the UK were deemed ‘financially fragile’ with UK households on average owing just over £16,000 in unsecured debt as it published the results of a recent survey into household finances.  

Education funding. UNICEF called for a better spread of global education funding, particularly to poorer nations, as it published a new report showing that some third of countries globally spend less than 15% of their education budget on poorer families and children from such households currently benefit the least from national public education funding.

SCHOOLS:

Handling strike action. The government published updated guidance for schools on managing provision in the event of strike action, underlining the key role of the headteacher in determining how far to keep a school open and the option of using agency staff and volunteers, as well as how best to manage provision, remote or otherwise, and for schools to prioritise vulnerable children, those taking exams and those of key workers.

Teacher supply. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) reported on its programme of research into teacher supply in England suggesting that recruitment and retention remain issues exacerbated by heavy workloads, high-stakes accountability and poor pay levels, and calling on the government to develop a long-term pay strategy along with flexible working options.

Teacher wellbeing. The charity Education Support with the help of Wesleyan examined the mental health and wellbeing of ethnic minority teachers in relation to the wider population, finding many facing the same sort of pressures such as workload and accountability as others in the profession, but often coupled with other race related challenges.

FE/SKILLS:

T levels. Rob Halfon, the skills and universities minister, called on universities to set out on their websites what their entry requirements were for T level applicants this year so that such students had a better idea of their options.

Apprenticeships. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) launched its promised ‘exceptional funding band reviews’ which will see apprenticeships in 20 skills-shortage sectors prioritised for a funding review (by April 2023) so that decisions on funding at a time of rising costs could be made quickly.

New partnership. The Learning and Work Institute and UfI VocTech Trust launched a new partnership aimed at exploring through a new VocTech Challenge how technology can best be used to help adults gain the skills they and the economy needs, with a series of workshops, projects and activities planned for the future.

HE:

OfS review. Leading HE mission organisations wrote an open letter to the Chair of the Education Committee calling on him to undertake an inquiry into the Office for Students, citing perceived concerns about its performance, independence, costs, and the general lack of confidence in it from across the sector.

University admissions. Rob Halfon, the skills and universities minister, called on universities to set out their offer to T level applicants this year as well as consider offering more degree apprenticeships, as he set out his priorities for for the sector the coming months.

Student stats. HESA published its dataset on UKHE students 2021/22 showing a 4% increase in the total number of students on the previous year with a continuing slight (57%) female majority, business and management as the most popular subject and a slight (4pp) drop in the number of first-class honours awarded.

Inequalities in the discipline of education in UK higher education | BERA

What works at key stage 4 in terms of improving GCSE outcomes, two or three years of study? || NFER

Countering Holocaust mistruths and antisemitism in the classroom | IOE

New findings from research project investigating length of GCSE curriculum | EEF

VocTech Challenge: Skills for an economy in transition | Learning & Work Institute

Mental health and wellbeing of ethnic minority teachers | Education Support

Exploring the impact of gender identity and stereotypes on secondary pupils' computer science enrolment interest | BPS

Are novice teacher induction programs worthwhile? | BEIB

Using formative assessment data with caution | BEIB

The effectiveness of digital monitoring tools on student academic achievement | BEIB

Reception Baseline Assessment, algorithmic bias and the reification of ability | IOE

If maths anxiety could talk: What do maths-anxious ex-pupils want to say to the teaching profession? | BERA

Short supply: Addressing the post-pandemic teacher supply challenge in England | NFER

Education Committee evidence session on careers guidance (Tuesday 24 January).

Equal consideration deadline for many undergraduate UCAS applications (Wednesday 25 January).

IES webinar and report on ‘Making young people a vital part of every workforce’ (Wednesday 25 January).

Wednesday 25 January: Communicating With Victims of Crime Who Use ESL

 | The Bell Foundation (online event)

Wednesday 25 January: Turbo-boosting results while optimising marketing spend (& resources): the UEA way | The PIE Webinars (webinar)

Wednesday 25 January: Public Sector Good Governance and Leadership Conference 2023 (Central London)

Wednesday 25 January: Delivering Excellence in EAL Provision in Independent Schools | Inside Government (Central London)

Thursday 26 January: Improving Lesson Planning and Student Practice Methods for KS3 and KS4 Maths | Inside Government (online event)

Thursday, 26 January: Supporting Students Facing the Cost-of-Living Crisis in Higher Education | Inside Government (online event)

Thursday 26 January: Enhancing Student Mental Wellbeing across Higher Education | Inside Government (online event)

Thursday 26 January: Students as Co-Creators Symposium 2023: Beyond Engagement | AdvanceHE (Manchester)

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MONDAY 23 JANUARY

On this day in 1556 the Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest ever recorded, killed 830,000 in the Province.

On this day in in 1908 the UK and US demanded the end of abuses in Congo.

On this day in 1973 President Richard Nixon announced an accord had been reached to end the Vietnam War.

TUESDAY 24 JANUARY

On this day in 41 Claudius succeeded his nephew Caligula as Roman Emperor, after the latter’s assassination by officers of the Praetorian Guard.

On this day in 1644 the Parliamentary army won the battle of Nantwich, Cheshire in the English Civil War.

On this day in 1679 King Charles II disbanded parliament.

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY

On this day in 1327 King Edward III acceded to the English throne, aged 14, after his mother, Isabella of France, and her lover, Roger Mortimer, deposed his father King Edward II.

On this day in 1755 Moscow University was established by Elizabeth of Russia and founded by Mikhail Lomonosov on Tatiana Day.

On this day in 1802 Napoleon Bonaparte was elected president of the Italian Republic.

THURSDAY 26 JANUARY

On this day in 1340 English King Edward III was proclaimed King of France.                                         

On this day in 1666 France declared war against England and Munster.

On this day in 1697 Isaac Newton received Jean Bernoulli’s six-month time-limit problem, and solved it before retiring to bed the same night. 

FRIDAY 27 JANUARY

On this day in 1591 at Castle Hill, Edinburgh, Scottish schoolmaster Dr. John Fian was burned for witchcraft as part of the Berwick witch trials by order of King James VI.

On this day in 1785 the first US state university was chartered in Athens, Georgia.

On this day in 1825 US Congress approved Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) clearing the way for the forced relocation of the Eastern Indian tribes via the ‘Trail of Tears’.

JANUARY IS: 

WORLDWIDE:

Dry January, Manuary, Veganuary Month, Ginuary, World Health Esteem Month, International Brainteaser Month, International Creativity Month, International Quality of Life Month, International Change Your Stars Month, International Child-Centred Divorce Month, International Wayfinding Month, International Wealth Mentality Month.

UK:

Walk Your Dog Month, Love Your Liver Month, Big Schools Birdwatch (runs from January 06 to February 20).

US & CANADA:

Mentoring Month, Get A Balanced Life Month, Self-Love Month, Poverty in America Awareness Month, Little Things Mental Health Campaign, Clean Up Your Computer Month, Get Organized Month, Be On-Purpose Month, Celebration of Life Month, Oatmeal Month, Soup Month, Be Kind to Food Servers Month, Hot Tea Month, Hobby Month, Apple and Apricot Month, Artichoke and Asparagus Month, California Restaurant Month, Children Impacted by Parent’s Cancer Month, Cervical Health Awareness Month, Clap 4 Health Month, Family Fit Lifestyle Month, Financial Wellness Month, March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month, Adopt a Rescued Bird Month, Bath Safety Month, Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, Black Diamond Month, Blood Donor Month, Book Blitz Month, Braille Literacy Month, CBD Month, Co-dependency Awareness Month, Conscience Month, Eye Care Month, Fiber Focus Month, Glaucoma Awareness Month, Mail Order Gardening Month, Meat Month, Menudo Month, Personal Trainer Awareness Month, Polka Music Month, Pre-Pregnancy Awareness Month, radon Action Month, Skating Month, Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Slow Cooking Month, Stalking Awareness Month, Staying Healthy Month, Sunday Supper Month, Thank You Month, Train Your Dog Month, Wheat Bread Month, Poverty Awareness Month, Prune Breakfast Month, Receding Gums Awareness Month, Retail Bakers Month, Rising Star Month, Shape Up US Month, START Child Health Campaign, Teen Driving Awareness Month, Thyroid Awareness Month, Tubers and Dried Fruit Month, Unchain a Dog Month. 

OTHER COUNTRIES:

Get Ireland Active Month (Ireland).

THIS WEEK IS:

WORLDWIDE:

Data Privacy Week.

US & CANADA

Korean New Year (to January 24), Cancertalk Week, Courtesy Week, Farmhouse Breakfast Week, National CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists) Week, Cowboy Poetry Gathering Week, Snow Sculpting Week, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (to January 25).

OTHER COUNTRIES:

European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.

MONDAY 23 JANUARY

WORLDWIDE:

International Sticky Toffee Pudding Day.

UK:

Measure Your Feet Day.

US & CANADA

Handwriting Day, Pie Day, Better Business Communication Day, Community Manager Appreciation Day, King Day, Report Pharmaceutical Fraud Day, Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day, Wellington University Day, Rhubarb Pie Day.

OTHER COUNTRIES:

Parakram Diwas (India), First Philippine Republic Day (Philippines).

TUESDAY 24 JANUARY

WORLDWIDE:

International Day of Education, Global Belly Laugh Day, International Just Do It Day, International Mobile Phone Recycling Day, Macintosh Computer Day.

US & CANADA:

Change a Pet’s Life Day, Peanut Butter Day, Beer Can Appreciation Day, Lobster Thermidor Day, Paul Pitcher Day, Speak Up and Succeed Day, Compliment Day, Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day, Unification Day.

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY

 

WORLDWIDE:

Vacant Panchami (Religious – Hindu)

UK:

Burns Night, St Dwynwen’s Day (Wales).

US & CANADA:

Florida Day, Library Shelfie Day, A Room of One’s Own Day, Flouride Day, Fish Taco Day, IV Nurse Day, Observe the Weather Day, Opposite Day.

OTHER COUNTRIES:

Tourism Day (India), Irish Coffee Day (Ireland), Students Day (Russia), Tatiana Day (Ukraine).

THURSDAY 26 JANUARY

WORLDWIDE:

Basalt Panchami (Religious – Hindu), International Customs Day, International Environmental Education Day.

UK:

Spouses Day.

US & CANADA:

Clashing Clothes Day, Dental Drill Appreciation Day, Green Juice Day, Peanut Brittle Day, Lotus 1-2-3 Day, NASA’s Day of Remembrance, Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement, Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Ellen Degeneres Day

OTHER COUNTRIES:

Australia Day (Australia), Republic Day (India), Birthday of Napoleon Abueva (Philippines).

FRIDAY 27 JANUARY

WORLDWIDE:

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, International Geographic Day, World Breast Pumping Day.

UK:

Big Garden Birdwatch, Thomas Crapper Day.

US & CANADA:

Auschwitz Liberation Day, Big Wig Day, Chocolate Cake Day, Activity Professionals Day, Fun at Work Day, Preschool Health and Fitness Day, Punch the Clock Day.

OTHER COUNTRIES:

Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Nazism, Vietnam Peace Day (Vietnam).