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: Childcare. The government heralded the rollout of the first stage of its promised childcare scheme, arguing that it was on track to deliver funded places for over 150,000 two-year olds despite providers and families in many areas claiming issues over staffing and costs. AI MoU. The government announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UK and US Safety Institutes, which would work together on AI safety, sharing expertise and research and generally building a common approach to AI safety. AI strategy. The Tony Blair Institute called for a new industrial strategy for an era of AI based around putting science and technology at the heart of government decision making and ensuring that AI is used to accelerate innovation and competitiveness in wealth generating sectors.
SCHOOLS: Teachers’ pay. The NASUWT rounded off its latest annual conference by calling for the government to set up a National Commission on Teacher’s Pay which it was hoped would help strengthen pay and conditions and raise the status of the profession generally. Survey report. The NEU highlighted workloads, pay, inspections and a lack of resources as among the factor causing high levels of stress among teachers as it reported on its latest survey of members. Multiplication tables. The standards and testing agency published guidance for the admin of the multiplication tables check (MTC) which is scheduled for the first two weeks of June for Year 4 pupils.
FE/SKILLS: Skills funding. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) set out Version 1 of the funding rates and details for adult skills funding (ASF) for 2024/25, reflecting the rates announced last year along with some technical changes including for example to non-regulated earning. T levels. The government issued guidance for providers wishing to offer T levels from 2026/27 for the first time, calling for applications to be in by midnight 21 March 2025. Destination data. The Gatsby Foundation published commissioned data on the destinations of the first wave of T level students, some 531 in all, with sample evidence from just over half showing 46% having progressed on to HE, 27% into employment and 9% into an apprenticeship.
HE: 2024/25 grant. The government set out its funded priorities for the Office for Studies (OfS) for 2024/25 with an emphasis on developing alternative routes and provision, providing for strategically important subjects, and supporting student transition and welfare. Start-ups. The HE Statistics Agency (HESA) reported on the latest data from the HE-Business and Community Interaction survey showing the number of new businesses started by recent students with HE provider support, standing at a record high for 2022/23 of just under 5,000. Free speech. The Office for Students (OfS) launched a consultation on aspects of its new duties around freedom of speech and what institutions and student unions would need to know in terms of regulation, complaints procedures and penalties.
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MONDAY 08 APRIL On this day in 1886 Prime Minister William Gladstone introduced the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the House of Commons. On this day in 1904 France and the UK signed the Entente Cordiale, a treaty designed to resolve long-standing colonial disputes in North Africa. On this day in 2013 Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died in London from a stroke, aged 87 .
TUESDAY 09 APRIL On this day in 1667 the first public art exhibition took place at the Palais-Royale in Paris. On this day in 1940 Germany invaded Denmark and Norway in an attempt to secure access to Swedish iron ore. On this day in 2005 Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in a private civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall.
WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL On this day in 1912 RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton for her maiden and final voyage. On this day in 1970 Paul McCartney officially announced the breakup of The Beatles. On this day in 2001 the Dutch senate approved a bill legalising euthanasia for patients with unbearable, terminal illness.
THURSDAY 11 APRIL On this day in 1814 Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte unconditionally abdicated the French throne and was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba. On this day in 1979 the Tanzanian army captured the Ugandan capital Kampala forcing Ugandan dictator Idi Amin to flee into exile in Libya. On this day in 2013 fossilised dinosaur eggs complete with embryos were discovered in China’s Lufeng County.
FRIDAY 12 APRIL On this day in 1961 Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space and orbit Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. On this day in 1988 Harvard University patented a genetically engineered mouse developed by researchers for breast cancer research. On this day in 2023 Ghana became the first country to approve a new malaria vaccine which was developed at Oxford University.
Awareness days from around the world
APRIL IS UK: Stress Awareness Month, Active for April, National Pet Month. WORLDWIDE: Jazz Appreciation Month, Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, Move More Month, IBS Awareness Month, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, International Cesarean Awareness Month, National Pickleball Month, Limb Loss And Limb Difference Awareness Month, National Afternoon Tea Month, Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month, National Brunch Month, National Tar Syndrome Awareness Month, Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, National Financial Literacy Month, National Alcohol Awareness Month, English Language Month, National Month Of Hope, National Volunteer Month, Distracted Driving Awareness Month, National Landscape Architecture Month, Scottish-American Heritage Month, Canine Fitness Month, Occupational Therapy Month, National Internship Awareness Month, Month Of The Military Child, National Donate Life Awareness Month, National Fair Housing Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Cannabis Awareness Month, National Safe Digging Month, National Welding Month, National Pecan Month, National Poetry Month, Straw Hat Month, National Soy Foods Month, National Soft Pretzel Month, National Humor Month, National Garden Month, National Fresh Celery Month, National Decorating Month, National Couple Appreciation Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Records And Information Management Month, National Lawn And Garden Month, Keep America Beautiful Month, International Guitar Month, National Autism Awareness Month, FOP Awareness Month.
THIS WEEK IS UK: Discover National Parks Fortnight, Bee Active Bee Healthy Bee Happy Week, Edinburgh Science Festival. WORLDWIDE: World Homeopathy Awareness Week, National Integrated Respiratory Care Week, National Library Week, National Student Employment Week, Animal Control Appreciation Week, National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.
MONDAY 08 APRIL WORLDWIDE: National Empanada Day, National Zoo Lovers Day, National All Is Ours Day, International Romani Day, Draw a Picture of a Bird Day, National Pygmy Hippo Day.
TUESDAY 09 APRIL UK: National Winston Churchill Day. WORLDWIDE: National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, National Unicorn Day, National Library Workers Day, National Chinese Almond Cookie Day, National Winston Churchill Day, National Name Yourself Day, National Cherish An Antique Day, International ASMR Day, National Mature Women’s Day, Global Holistic Wealth Day, Identity Management Day, National Equal Pay Day, International Be Kind to Lawyers Day.
WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL WORLDWIDE: National Erase Self-Negativity Day, National Library Outreach Day, National Farm Animals Day, National Cinnamon Crescent Day, National Siblings Day, National Encourage A Young Writer Day, World Baton Twirling Day, International Day of Pink, Golfer’s Day.
THURSDAY 11 APRIL WORLDWIDE: World Parkinson's Day, National Living Donor Day, National Submarine Day, National Alcohol Screening Day, National Cheese Fondue Day, National Pet Day, National Eight Track Tape Day, National Barbershop Quartet Day, National Ranch Water Day, National Marketing Operations Appreciation Day.
FRIDAY 12 APRIL WORLDWIDE: National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day, National Only Child Day, National For Twelves Day, National Colorado Day, National Licorice Day, National Big Wind Day, Day of Silence, International Day of Human Space Flight, World Hamster Day, Yuri’s Night, Walk On Your Wild Side Day.
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