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: Keynote. Michelle Donelan, the secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, set out her priorities for the year ahead in a keynote speech, listing in particular the creation of a new scale-up forum, improved data access, and a new regulatory support service for businesses. Labour market estimates. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published its estimates on the labour market for the last quarter of last year showing a further fall in the number of vacancies, a slight fall in the overall employment rate and a slower increase in wages, with the data subject to confirmation next month. Education Day. UNESCO confirmed that the theme for next week’s International Day of Education will be ‘learning for lasting peace’ with a series of events and a particular focus, including a new guide, on tackling hate crime.
SCHOOLS: Support for teachers. The government issued an update on measures to support teacher recruitment and wellbeing, pointing to the gradual adoption of the Education Staff Wellbeing charter, new guidance this spring on tackling the harassment of staff and on workloads, and the additional investment being made in mental health support as key factors. Workloads. The government and unions reported on progress being made in reducing teacher workloads, reiterating their commitment to building on the earlier 2016 recommendation, consulting on changing the current system of performance related pay, updating the list of admin tasks that teachers should not be required to do, and looking into other factors such as the burden of accountability, before reporting formally in March this year. Ofsted. Ofsted issued its formal response to the coroner’s report on the Ruth Perry Inquest setting out a number of steps it will now take including establishing a procedure for providers who have concerns about an inspection, undertaking a dedicated learning review of Ofsted’s response to the tragic case and conducting a Big Listening exercise into the future.
FE/SKILLS: Funding pilot. The government invited applications from colleges to its Funding Simplification pilot which will look at ways of simplifying rules around funding, audit and reporting in areas like adult skills and Skills Bootcamps and run from August 2024 – August 2025. Degree apprenticeships. The Office for Students (OfS) reported that ten colleges were among the 50+ successful bidders from the first round of bids for funds to develop degree apprenticeships with a second funding round just completed and a third due this spring. Apprenticeship report. The Learning and Work Institute reported on issues around apprenticeship completion rates in a second paper for the St Martin’s Group, concluding that for employers, providing time off for off the job training can be a big factor calling as a result for a working group to be set up to look at how to improve things.
HE: University finances. Universities UK published its commissioned report undertaken by PwC last year into the financial sustainability of UKHE, concluding that ‘institutions are facing significant financial challenges’ with many adopting cost-saving strategies such as back-office transformation but equally calling on the government to relieve pressures where possible. V-C view. The Times Higher published the results of its survey among vice-chancellors of current concerns with many worried about both current and future funding levels and looking anxiously at options such as future domestic and international recruitment levels, but ultimately acknowledging that the current funding system wasn’t working. Finance at franchised providers. The National Audit Office (NAO) called for stronger accountabilities and clearer responsibilities and system governance as it reported on concerns about potential fraud and abuse of finances at franchised providers.
Science Committee private meeting on the governance of AI (Tuesday 23 January). Westminster Hall debate on school attendance (Tuesday 23 January). Westminster Hall debate on availability of books in primary schools (Wednesday 24 January). UNESCO’s International Day of Education (Wednesday 24 January). BETT UK 2024 (Wednesday 24 January – Friday 26 January). Nuffield Foundation hosted webinar on ‘The Future of Work and Skills’ (Wednesday 24 January). Schools North East Academies Conference (Thursday 25 January).
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MONDAY 22 JANUARY On this day in 1506 the first contingent of Swiss Guards arrived at the Vatican. On this day in 1879 a British garrison of 150 held off up to 4,000 Zulu warriors in the Battle of Rorke's Drift. On this day in 1901 Queen Victoria died at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight after a reign which lasted almost 64 years.
TUESDAY 23 JANUARY On this day in 1045 Edward the Confessor, King of England, married Edith, daughter of the Earl of Godwin. On this day in 1978 Sweden became the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays due to their harmful effect on the earth's ozone layer. On this day in 1997 Madeleine Albright became the first female secretary of state following unanimous confirmation by the US Senate.
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY On this day in 1908 Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell published 'Scouting for Boys' as a manual for self-instruction in outdoor skills and self-improvement. On this day in 1972 Japanese sergeant Shoichi Yokoi was found the jungles of Guam where he had been hiding for 28 years since the end of World War II. On this day in 1984 Apple Computer Inc unveiled its revolutionary Macintosh personal computer.
THURSDAY 25 JANUARY On this day in 1840 an American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes was the first to identify Antarctica as a new continent. On this day in 1858 Felix Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' was first played at the wedding of Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Victoria to crown prince Frederick William of Prussia. On this day in 1924 the first Winter Olympic Games opened in Chamonix, France.
FRIDAY 26 JANUARY On this day in 1871 the Rugby Football Union was formed at a meeting of 21 clubs at London's Pall Mall Restaurant. On this day in 1950 the Constitution of India came into effect making the Republic of India the most populous democracy in the world. On this day in 1980 the US Olympic Committee voted against the Moscow games in response to the Soviet military invasion of Afghanistan the previous month.
Awareness days from around the world
JANUARY IS UK: Love Your Liver Month, Veganuary, Dry January, Big Schools Birdwatch. WORLDWIDE: Walk Your Dog Month, National Mentoring Month, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, World Health Esteem Month, National CBD Month, National Soup Month, National Slow Cooking Month, National Braille Literacy Month, Veganuary, Dry January, National Hobby Month, Hot Tea Month, National Oatmeal Month, National Blood Donor Month, National Menudo Month, National Bath Safety Month, National Black Diamond Month, National Sunday Supper Month, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Red January (Beat The Winter Blues), Ginuary.
THIS WEEK IS UK: Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. WORLDWIDE: National School Choice Week, National CRNA Week, National Catholic Schools Week, Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, National Fresh Squeezed Juice Week, Meat Week, Farmhouse Breakfast Week, Family Mediation Week, Snow Sculpting Week, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
MONDAY 22 JANUARY WORLDWIDE: National Polka Dot Day, National Sanctity of Human Life Day, Celebration of Life Day, National Blonde Brownie Day, National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day, National Hot Sauce Day, Wellington Anniversary Day, Community Manager Appreciation Day.
TUESDAY 23 JANUARY WORLDWIDE: National Pie Day, National Handwriting Day, Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Day, Speak Up and Succeed Day, National Rhubarb Pie Day, National Measure Your Feet Day.
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY UK: International Day of Education. WORLDWIDE: National Peanut Butter Day, Library Shelfie Day, National Beer Can Appreciation Day, National Compliment Day, Paul Pitcher Day, National Lobster Thermidor Day, Global Belly Laugh Day, National Talk Like A Grizzled Prospector Day, Tu BiShvat, Macintosh Computer Day, National Just Do It Day.
THURSDAY 25 JANUARY UK: Burns Night, St Dwynwen’s Day. WORLDWIDE: National Florida Day, National Irish Coffee Day, National Opposite Day, National Fun At Work Day, Big Wig Day, Observe the Weather Day, A Room Of One’s Own Day, Mahayana New Year, Clashing Clothes Day, National Fish Taco Day, National IV Nurse Day.
FRIDAY 26 JANUARY UK: National Spouses Day. WORLDWIDE: National Green Juice Day, National Peanut Brittle Day, Australia Day, National Fun at Work Day, National Preschool Health & Fitness Day, Indian Republic Day, Toad Hollow Day of Encouragement, International Customs Day.
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