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GENERAL AI Summit. The Prime Minister confirmed during his trip to the US that the UK would host ‘the first major summit on AI safety’ in the autumn, bringing together world leaders to look at he risks associated with AI and possible future regulation. Jobs update. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation and KPMG published their latest monthly report on UK jobs pointing to a mixed picture with some sectors such as hospitality and healthcare all looking to hire but construction and IT less so, as economic uncertainty continues. Austerity costs. The TUC argued in a new report that the austerity programme of the last decade ravaged public services and welfare support and left the country ‘hugely unprepared’ for the Covid pandemic, calling for lessons to be learned as a result.
SCHOOLS Education Recovery. The Public Accounts Committee published a further report on education recovery in schools expressing concern that it could take a decade for some disadvantaged pupils to catch up and calling on the government to get a tighter grip on support features such as the National Tutoring Programme. Teacher retention. The charity Education Support published the final report from its Commission on Teacher Retention, setting out ten recommendations for modernising the profession and encouraging retention including the provision of formal reviews of working conditions and school accountability including the role of Ofsted. Behaviour and mental health. The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition published the results of its extensive inquiry into the links between behaviour and mental health, suggesting that “a culture shift is needed in how behaviour is viewed in schools” and calling among other things for an expansion of the Behaviour Hub programme, mandated time for staff training, and a more coordinated approach generally.
FE/SKILLS Young and workless. The Resolution Foundation highlighted the plight of 18 – 24 yr olds with low levels of qualifications who are out of work, a number that has doubled over the last decade, calling in a new report for the Health Foundation for better educational and mental health support to be targeted to this group. Apprenticeship qualifications. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) responded to earlier consultation by setting out a new policy for apprenticeship mandatory qualifications designed to ensure that they better match employer/ apprentice needs and align with end point assessment.
HE Duty of care. MPs discussed concerns around student suicides and the case for a statutory duty of care on institutions in a Westminster Hall debate with the minister confirming he was not ruling out future legislation but that currently, with institutions adopting their own practices as well as being encouraged to sign up to the University Mental Health Charter, this was not being envisaged. HE funding. Professor Nicholas Barr set out his thoughts on reform of the HE funding system in a blog on the LSE site arguing that the current system is a mess and neither fair nor efficient, proposing instead a system based around three elements: institutions financed through tuition fees and taxpayer finance; students funded through efficient loans that protect low-earners; and widening participation achieved through earlier policy intervention. Graduate recruitment. Bloomberg UK reported on recent data from Reed Recruitment suggesting that it could be tough for graduates looking to enter the job market this year with vacancies still below pre-pandemic levels as companies grapple with inflation, wage spirals, skills matches and global uncertainty.
Education Questions in the House of Commons. (Monday 12 June). Phonics screening check for Yr 1s. (w/commencing 12 June). Education Committee evidence session with Ofsted. (Tuesday 13 June). Campus webinar on Digital Assessment. (Thursday 15 June).
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MONDAY 12 JUNE On this day in 1942 Anne Frank received a diary as a birthday present in Amsterdam. On this day in 1964 Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison. On this day in 1982 one million people demonstrated in New York City against nuclear weapons.
TUESDAY 13 JUNE On this day in 323 BC Alexander the Great died at the age of 32 in Babylon (present-day Iraq). On this day in 1956 the last British troops left the Suez Canal Zone in Egypt. On this day in 1983 Pioneer 10 became the first man-made object to leave the central solar system.
WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE On this day in 1777 US Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes flag, replacing the Grand Union flag. On this day in 1919 British aviators Alcock and Brown took off for the first non-stop transatlantic flight. On this day in 1982 Argentina surrendered to Great Britain, ending the 74-day Falklands Islands conflict.
THURSDAY 15 JUNE On this day in 1215 King John signed the Magna Carta at Runnymede near Windsor. On this day in 1667 the first human blood transfusion was administered. On this day in 1991 Mount Pinatubo volcano in the Philippines erupted.
FRIDAY 16 JUNE On this day in 1884 the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island. On this day in 1977 Leonid Brezhnev was elected Soviet president. On this day in 2010 the world's first country-wide total tobacco ban went into effect in Bhutan, South Asia.
Awareness days from around the world
JUNE IS UK: SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) Awareness Month, National Age Without Apology Month, National Candy Month, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. WORLDWIDE: National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, National PTSD Awareness Month, National Homeownership Month, National Give A Bunch Of Balloons Month, National Pollinators Month, National DJ Month, National Safety Month, African-American Music Appreciation Month, National Soul Food Month, National Papaya Month, National Iced Tea Month, National Great Outdoors Month, National Dairy Month, National Country Cooking Month, National Camping Month, National Fresh Fruit And Vegetables Month, National Adopt A Cat Month, National Accordion Awareness Month, Turkey Lovers Month, National Rose Month, LGBTQIA Pride Month, Fight The Filthy Fly Month, Aquarium Month, Care For Your Grandparents Month, Guitars On The Beach, Audiobook Month, International Mud Month.
THIS WEEK IS UK: BNF Healthy Eating Week, Loneliness Awareness Week, Diabetes Awareness Week, Global Inclusion Week. WORLDWIDE: Men’s Health Week, National Flag Week, Meet A Mate Week.
MONDAY 12 JUNE WORLDWIDE: International Cachaca Day, International Falafel Day, World Day Against Child Labour, National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, National Jerky Day, National Loving Day, National Red Rose Day, Superman Day.
TUESDAY 13 JUNE UK: Sewing Machine Day. WORLDWIDE: National Forklift Safety Day, World Pet Memorial Day, World Softball Day, International Axe Throwing Day, International Albinism Awareness Day, National Random Acts Of Light Day, National Call Your Doctor Day, National Kitchen Klutzes Of America Day, National Weed Your Garden Day, National Sewing Machine Day.
WEDNESDAY 14 JUNE UK: Brake’s Kids Walk. WORLDWIDE: World Blood Donor Day, National Cucumber Day, National New Mexico Day, Army Birthday, National Bourbon Day, National Strawberry Shortcake Day, National Pop Goes The Weasel Day, National Flag Day, National Cupcake Day, International Bath Day.
THURSDAY 15 JUNE UK: Beer Day Britain, National Bug Busting Day, National Clean Air Day, Magna Carta Day. WORLDWIDE: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, National Foam Party Day, Global Wind Day, National Megalodon Day, Nature Photography Day, National Smile Power Day, National Career Nurse Assistants’ Day, National Lobster Day, National Dump the Pump Day, International Working Animal Day.
FRIDAY 16 JUNE WORLDWIDE: World Refill Day, International Day Of The African Child, World Sea Turtle Day, International Day Of Family Remittances, Bloomsday, Wear Blue Day, National Fudge Day, National Take Back the Lunch Break Day, Ugliest Dog Day, Fresh Veggies Day, World Tapas Day, Arborist Appreciation Day.
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