Follow this link to 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 Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. The Chancellor reported on the latest economic and fiscal forecasts as he set out the government’s current spending plans in an Autumn Statement focused on supporting growth and making work pay. Living Wage. The Chancellor confirmed on the eve of the Autumn Statement that the National Living Wage would increase by just over £1 an hour from next April and be extended to 21-year-olds for the first time. NAO on the DfE. The National Audit Office published an Overview Report on the DfE, looking at its spending, performance, projects and risks over the 2022/23 year and pointing to a number of things to look out in the coming year including the sustainability of SEND plans, college funding and financial reporting, and developments at Ofsted under its new leadership.
SCHOOLS School buildings. The Public Accounts Committee published a critical report on the state of school buildings including RAAC and asbestos, calling for the government to get a better grip of the problems and to set out a strategy for managing repairs and refurbishment. Exams 2024. Ofqual published guides for students, schools and colleges on exam and assessment arrangements for 2024, running through who does what in the exam system along with preparation for exams, assessment and grading procedures, special considerations, appeals, malpractice and useful contacts. Annual Report. Ofsted published its 2022/23 Annual Report suggesting that with improvements in reading, more schools rated good or outstanding this year, progress in teacher training and growing interest in the skills agenda there is much to be optimistic about as the Chief Inspector prepares to step down but highlighting continuing concerns about teacher recruitment and pupil absenteeism and significantly post-pandemic, a worrying breakdown in the relationship between parents and schools.
FE/SKILLS Levy debate. The Association of Colleges (AoC) published a briefing paper for MPs participating in this week’s debate on the apprenticeship levy, outlining many of the issues with the levy currently, including the bureaucracy involved and the drift towards higher-end apprenticeships at the expense of opportunities for young people, calling for a system rethink around a wider and more flexible model. Post-18 progression. The COSMO (Covid Social Mobility and Opportunity) cohort study published further details on the career plans of young people post-pandemic, finding some interested in apprenticeships but the majority (68%) planning to study at university with much depending on family background, local area and the nature of support available. FE Collective. FE News reported on its first Collective, bringing together the thoughts and views from leading players in education and skills in a collaborative mode to focus on key issues, looking on this occasion at three current/future challenges including AI, investment, and progression and concluding with ten takeaways including the case for creating a more agile and autonomous skills system.
HE University spin-outs. The government published the results of the review of university spin-out companies, approving proposals to reset the balance between founders, investors and universities while reducing the burden on universities and promoting greater opportunity. Talking Tertiary. London Higher published a series of thoughts and articles on how universities and colleges in London could best work together in an aligned tertiary system, arguing ultimately for a more ‘harmonious’ framework of funding, regulation and policy to enable collaboration to flourish and serve the needs of students, employers and communities. More on tertiary. The HE Policy Institute (HEPI) published a new report looking into how best to create an effective post-16 skills system, arguing that the current system with its mish-mash of bodies, funding and systems “is not necessarily in the interest of learners or the nation” and calling for a new national post-16 skills council within a clear national framework.
Pearson National Teaching Awards UK Ceremony (Saturday 25 November). Government response to Education Committee report on persistent school absentees and support for disadvantaged pupils (Monday 27 November). Global Investment Summit at Hampton Court Palace (Monday 27 November). Launch of SMF report on ‘The education divide and the future of British politics’ (Monday 27 November).
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MONDAY 27 NOVEMBER On this day in 1895 Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament which set aside the bulk of his estate as a fund to establish the Nobel Prize. On this day in 1942 Jimi Hendrix, one of the most innovative guitar players of the rock era, was born in Seattle, Washington. On this day in 2001 scientists using the Hubble space telescope detected the first planetary atmosphere outside the solar system on an exoplanet known as Osiris.
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER On this day in 1520 Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan began crossing the Pacific Ocean. On this day in 1893 women voted in a national election for the first time in the New Zealand general election. On this day in 1975 East Timor declared its independence from Portugal.
WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER On this day in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army moved into Manchester and occupied Carlisle. On this day in 1877 US inventor Thomas Edison demonstrated his hand-cranked phonograph for the first time. On this day in 1929 American explorer Richard Byrd became the first person to fly over the South Pole.
THURSDAY 30 NOVEMBER On this day in 1609 Galileo Galilei first began using his telescope to record his series of observations of the moon. On this day in 1886 the Folies Bergère in Paris staged its first elaborate revue featuring women in sensational costumes. On this day in 2017 the world's longest recorded rainbow lasted for almost nine hours in Taipei's Yangmingshan mountain range.
FRIDAY 01 DECEMBER On this day in 1822 eleven-year-old Franz Liszt made his professional debut as a concert pianist at a town hall in Vienna. On this day in 1913 the Ford Motor Company introduced the world's first moving assembly line for the Model T Ford. On this day in 1988 Benazir Bhutto was named Prime Minister of Pakistan the first female leader of a Muslim country.
Awareness days from around the world
NOVEMBER IS UK: Veg Pledge, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Mouth Cancer Action Month, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Lung Cancer Awareness Month. WORLDWIDE: National Diabetes Month, COPD Awareness Month, National Family Caregivers Month, National Career Development Month, National Scholarship Month, Movember - Men's Health Awareness Month, National Military Family Month, National PPSI Aids Awareness Month, National Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Awareness & Appreciation Month, National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month, World Vegan Month, Sweet Potato Awareness Month, Spinach And Squash Month, PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, National Roasting Month, National Raisin Bread Month, National Pomegranate Month, National Pepper Month, National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, National Family Literacy Month, National Native American Heritage Month, National Marrow Awareness Month, National Long-term Care Awareness Month, National Life Writing Month, National Inspirational Role Models Month, National Impotency Month, National Home Care & Hospice Month, National Fun With Fondue Month, National Alzheimer's Disease Month, National Adoption Month, Historic Bridge Awareness Month, Gluten-free Diet Awareness Month, Family Stories Month, Epilepsy Awareness Month, Diabetic Eye Disease Month, Banana Pudding Lovers Month, Aviation History Month, Adopt A Senior Pet Month, National Gratitude Month.
THIS WEEK IS WORLDWIDE: 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence.
MONDAY 27 NOVEMBER UK: Lancashire Day. WORLDWIDE: Cyber Monday, National Craft Jerky Day, National Bavarian Cream Pie Day, Pins And Needles Day, Turtle Adoption Day.
TUESDAY 28 NOVEMBER WORLDWIDE: National Alan Day, Red Planet Day, National Day Of Giving, National French Toast Day.
WEDNESDAY 29 NOVEMBER WORLDWIDE: Electronic Greetings Day, National Package Protection Day, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, National Square Dancing Day, Isdal Woman Day, National Chocolates Day, International Jaguar Day, Throw Out Your Leftovers Day, National Lemon Cream Pie Day.
THURSDAY 30 NOVEMBER UK: St Andrews Day, Remembrance Day for Lost Species. WORLDWIDE: National Mason Jar Day, Day Of Remembrance For All Victims Of Chemical Warfare, National Personal Space Day, National Mississippi Day, National Mousse Day, Stay Home Because You're Well Day, National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, International Systems Engineer Day, International ESG Day, National Computer Security Day.
FRIDAY 01 DECEMBER UK: Fuel Poverty Awareness Day. WORLDWIDE: Eat a Red Apple Day, Antarctica Day, National Bartender Day, National Pie Day, Faux Fur Friday, World Aids Day, Rosa Parks Day, Day Without Art, Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day, National Christmas Lights Day, Wear a Dress Day, National Cookie Cutter Day.
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