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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS
Three of the week's headlines ...
England’s GCSE results show ingrained social and regional inequality post-Covid 
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Afghan women arrive in Edinburgh to finish medical degrees denied under Taliban
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Give pupils ice lollies in science lessons so they have ‘essential’ experiences 
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Three pieces of policy news - by phase
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:
Borrowing and spending. The IfS responded to the latest higher than expected government borrowing figures by reporting that the government ‘appears to have spent well over a third of its budget in the first third of this financial year,’ adding to growing concerns around public spending levels ahead of the Budget in October.
Retaining talent. The British Chambers of Commerce reported on its survey among businesses about how to attract and retain talent, pointing to ‘flexible work practices and employee benefits’ as two key factors.
Loneliness. The Centre for Social Justice reported on the impact of loneliness among older people, for whom ‘some 5.8m people over the age of 65 feel lonely at least some of the time,’ with calls for better housing, transport and digital inclusion along with a volunteer passport and family carers.

SCHOOLS:
GCSE 2024. The government praised the resilience of this year’s GCSE students whose schooling was widely disrupted by the pandemic but who achieved results very similar to those of last year with 67.4% of grades for 16 yr olds in England at 4/C and above and 22.6% at grade 7 and above.
GCSE 2024 data. The Joint Council for Qualifications published the full data set for this summer’s GCSE results showing an increase in overall entries in line with an increase in the numbers of 16 yr olds, an increase in some subject areas from Spanish to Leisure, Travel and Tourism and with grades comparable to last year as females continue to outperform males.
GCSE 2024 analysis. The Education Policy Institute published its analysis of this summer’s GCSE results pointing among other things to a slight narrowing of the gap between male and female performance, the impact of the review of standards in German, French and Computing, and the pattern of regional inequality.

FE/SKILLS:
GCSE 2024. The AoC published its summary of this summer’s GCSE results highlighting the pass rates for adult GCSE resits which have remained stable for maths but fallen for English, calling for a rethink on the resit policy and for developing better alternatives.
Skills reform. The FT examined the skills challenge facing Labour and the perennial problem of how best to provide for the ‘other 50%’ of young people who don’t go to university, highlighting Labour’s planned reform of the apprenticeship levy and the creation of the new skills body, Skills England, as key ingredients for an improved system.
Skills England. The government posted adverts for p/t job roles as Board Members and Chair of its proposed new overarching skills body, Skills England, which is intended to become an Arm’s Length Body over the next 6-9 months and as such determine the skills programmes needed for the government’s growth agenda.

HE:
University finances. The Sunday Times offered its perspective on the current concerns about university finances in an Editorial at the weekend, arguing that universities should be allowed to raise fees in line with inflation and that means-tested maintenance grants should be restored.
Student finances. NatWest published its 2024 Student Living Index showing among other things a big rise in levels of parental support and in p/t work as students struggle to manage ‘a surge in household bills’ and the increased cost-of-living that includes an 8% year on year increase in the cost of takeaways and 3.8% increase in the cost of coffee on campus.
Results day reflections. Joanna Burton, Head of Policy at the Russell Group, offered some reflections on Results Day one week on, suggesting that despite some media headlines and financial challenges, university has proved to be a top option for many, including notably disadvantaged 18-year-olds in England.
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Latest research, reports and studies
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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK
Parliament and elsewhere
MPs’ summer break (Tuesday 30 July – Monday 2 September).
Events and CPD opportunities
Tuesday 27 August: Education: Making a difference in the world | UKFIET (in-person event)
Thursday 29 August: CEO Summer Spotlight | AELP (online event)
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Three interesting daily facts
MONDAY 26 AUGUST
On this day in 1682 English astronomer Edmond Halley first observed the comet named after him.
On this day in 1959 the British Motor Corporation introduced the Morris Mini-Minor designed by Alec Issigonis.
On this day in 2013 all 25,000 applicants to the University of Liberia failed their university entrance examination.
 
TUESDAY 27 AUGUST
On this day in 1789 the French National Assembly issued the 'Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen'.
On this day in 1883 Indonesia's Krakatoa volcano erupted with a force of 200 megatons of TNT and killed approximately 40,000 people.
On this day in 1896 Britain defeated Zanzibar in a 38-minute war recorded as the shortest war in history.
 
WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST
On this day in 1189 the Siege of Acre took place in the first major battle of the Third Crusade under Guy of Lusignan.
On this day in 1845 the first issue of Scientific American magazine was published.
On this day in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr delivered his 'I have a dream' speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
 
THURSDAY 29 AUGUST
On this day in 1533 Atahuallpa, the thirteenth and last emperor of the Incas, was executed by Pizarro’s conquistadors
On this day in 1883 the eruption of Krakatoa created seismic waves causing a rise in the English Channel thirty-two hours after the explosion.
On this day in 1949 the Soviet Union detonated its first atomic bomb at a test site in Kazakhstan.
 
FRIDAY 30 AUGUST
On this day in 1146 European leaders outlawed the crossbow intending to end war for all time.
On this day in 1918 Vladimir Lenin survived an assassination attempt by a member of the Social Revolutionary party.
On this day in 1979 the first recorded instance of a comet colliding with the sun occurred.
Awareness days from around the world
AUGUST IS
UK:
National Road Victim Month.
WORLDWIDE:
Psoriasis Awareness/Psoriasis Action Month, National Immunization Awareness Month, National Fishing Month, National Dog Month, National Hair Loss Awareness Month, National Wellness Month, Medic Alert Awareness Month, Children's Eye Health And Safety Month, National Brownies At Brunch Month, Black Business Month, Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, Motorsports Awareness Month, International Peace Month, Get Ready For Kindergarten Month, National Panini Month, National Goat Cheese Month, National Sandwich Month, Happiness Happens Month, National Back To School Month, National Crayon Collection Month, National Golf Month, National Eye Exam Month, National Catfish Month, National Water Quality Month, Romance Awareness Month, Family Fun Month, Beautiful in Your Skin Month, National Breastfeeding Month, National Cheerleading Safety Month, Child Support Awareness Month, National Inventors Month, National Anti-Frizz Month.
 
THIS WEEK IS
WORLDWIDE:
National Composites Week, Be Kind To Humankind Week.
 
MONDAY 26 AUGUST
UK:
Late Summer Bank Holiday.
WORLDWIDE:
National Dog Day, National Got Checked Day, National Cherry Popsicle Day, Gravy Wrestling Championship, National Toilet Paper Day, National Webmistress Day, National Women’s Equality Day, National Heroes’ Day.
 
TUESDAY 27 AUGUST
WORLDWIDE:
National Petroleum Day, National Peach Day, International Lottery Day, National Banana Lovers Day, World Rock Paper Scissors Day, The Duchess Who Wasn’t Day, National Tug of War Day, International Bat Night, National Pots De Creme Day, National Just Because Day.
 
WEDNESDAY 28 AUGUST
WORLDWIDE:
National Bow Tie Day, Makaton International Awareness Day, National Thoughtful Day, National Power Rangers Day, National Cherry Turnover Day, National Red Wine Day, Crackers Over The Keyboard Day, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, Radio Commercials Day, Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day.
 
THURSDAY 29 AUGUST
UK:
Potteries Bottle Oven Day.
WORLDWIDE:
International Day Against Nuclear Tests, According to Hoyle Day, Individual Rights Day, National Lemon Juice Day, National Chop Suey Day, More Herbs Less Salt Day.
 
FRIDAY 30 AUGUST
WORLDWIDE:
National Toasted Marshmallow Day, International Day of the Disappeared, National College Colors Day, Amagwinya Day, National Holistic Pet Day, International Whale Shark Day, Frankenstein Day, National Grief Awareness Day, National Slinky Day, National Beach Day.
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