Weekly Round Up - 08/09/2024

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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS

Three of the week's headlines ...

English universities need tuition fees of £12,500 to break even, analysis finds

Lost learning at record high: School exclusions continue to rise, especially among poor, study shows

Ofsted complacent after head's death, says review

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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:
Childcare. The second phase of the government’s childcare programme rolled out at the start of the week with eligible families of children aged nine months and over able to claim 15 funded hours a week of childcare and early education for 38 weeks but with sector concerns continuing to rumble over staffing and capacity.
Economic outlook. The British Chambers of Commerce published its latest Economic Forecast upgrading its growth forecast for this year to 1.1% but remaining at 1% next year, with the growth landscape remaining ‘relatively weak.’
Public services. The TUC called for the creation of a Public Services Workforce Commission to help tackle key challenges around public service delivery and workforce recruitment, following survey evidence showing increased public concern about such services.

SCHOOLS:
Ofsted single headline grades. The government announced that Ofsted’s use of single statement judgements would be scrapped for schools in England immediately and for the rest of the education system in due course, with plans to introduce a School Report Card system set for next autumn.
Ofsted’s Big Listen. Ofsted reported on its recent ‘Big Listen’ public consultation highlighting among other things views raised about inspection practice (‘need more consistency,’) reporting (‘need to report on pupil’s wider experience,’) and safeguarding (‘should be addressed separately.’)
Gilbert review of Ofsted. Ofsted published the outcomes of its commissioned independent learning review, conducted by Dame Christine Gilbert in the wake of the Ruth Perry tragedy to look at matters such as communications and behaviours in the light of such events, concluding with a range of recommendations including the creation of an overarching improvement plan to be ‘published for transparency on Ofsted’s website.’

FE/SKILLS:
FE and Ofsted. The AoC reported on the latest reforms around Ofsted listing those likely to have any impact for the FE sector, such as the ending of single statement judgements and use of report cards, expected to be developed over the coming year.
L3 reform. The Sixth Form Colleges Association voiced its frustration at the government’s failure to acknowledge their recently expressed concerns about needing to pause the defunding of applied general qualifications such as BTECs and to extend the timetable for review, confirming that the support group will be meeting in the next few weeks to determine a course of action.
ASK. The government confirmed that it was handing over to the Careers and Enterprise Company the contractual management of the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme, which provides free support to schools and colleges in England about T levels and apprenticeships.

HE:
Minister’s address. Minister Jacqui Smith addressed the UUK Conference where she confirmed that the government was looking at funding options for the sector and was keen to see the OfS take a strong role in ensuring financial stability for institutions but added few further details on future funding plans.
President’s address. Dame Sally Mapstone, President of Universities UK addressed their annual Conference arguing that the sector was now at a critical juncture in terms of decline or growth as she launched a new report into the economic impact of HE and promised to set out in the coming weeks a major blueprint for the future of HE and research.
Economic impact. Universities UK published a new report, undertaken by London Economics, and showing that UKHE’s combined activities amounted to an economic impact of £158bn, generating huge returns both for individuals and for society.

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Latest research, reports and studies

Research on public attitudes towards the use of AI in education | DfE
Do teachers want pension flexibility? | EPI
The impact of COVID on learning | BEIB
The fadeout effect: Unpacking the durability of educational interventions | BEIB
Down with the world-class university: How our business models damage universal higher education | HEPI
Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2023: Regional reports | Learning & Work Institute
Free childcare for the under-2s will mean big savings for some parents – but wider impacts are anyone’s guess | IFS
The disadvantage gap at Key Stage 2 in 2024 | FFT Education Datalab
How did Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness relate to the four sub-judgments? | FFT Education Datalab
Social selection on the map | Sutton Trust
Striking the balance: A review of 11–16 curriculum and assessment in England | OCR
How far do pupils travel to alternative provision (and does this affect their attendance)? | FFT Education Datalab
Who is losing learning?: The case for reducing exclusions across mainstream schools | IPPR
Is working memory domain-general or domain-specific? | Teacher Toolkit
The economic impact of higher education teaching, research, and innovation | London Economics
“Just a little drop?” - Pupil numbers are falling slower than previous expectations | NFER
Food poverty among students: What is the role of universities? | BERA
Traineeships in England: Our research journey with the Edge Foundation | Edge Foundation
Under-registration for free school meals in early primary school: How could this be tackled? | EPI
Social selection on the map | Sutton Trust

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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK

Parliament and elsewhere

ResearchED National Conference (Saturday 7 September).
Annual TUC Congress (Sunday 8 – Wednesday 11 September).
MPs Education Questions (Monday 9 September).
Release of DfE provisional KS2 attainment data (Tuesday 10 September).
Release of OECD’s annual ‘State of Global Education’ report (Tuesday 10 September).

Events and CPD opportunities

Monday 09 September: Next steps for qualifications reform at Level 2 and below in England | Westminster Forum Projects (online event)
Tuesday 10 September: Briefing for governors and trustees on GCSE, A level and VTQ results | ASCL (online event)
Tuesday 10 September: Next steps for careers guidance in England’s schools and post-16 settings | Westminster Forum Projects (online event)
Wednesday 11 September: Why Are So Many Teenage And Child Refugees In The UK Missing Out On Education? | Bell Foundation (online event)
Thursday 12 September: Last Night A Chatbot Eased My Strife | Wonkhe (online event)
Saturday 14 September: Reflective practice and support for educators | The Working Group (online event)

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Three interesting daily facts

MONDAY 09 SEPTEMBER
On this day in 1543 Mary Stuart, at nine months old, was crowned Queen of Scots in the central Scottish town of Stirling.
On this day in 1993 Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization exchanged letters of mutual recognition.
On this day in 2015 Queen Elizabeth II became Great Britain's longest-reigning monarch at 63 years and seven months.

TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
On this day in 1894 London taxi driver George Smith became the first person to be fined for drunk driving after slamming his cab into a building.
On this day in 1991 rock band Nirvana released their breakout single 'Smells like Teen Spirit', often dubbed the anthem of Generation X.
On this day in 2008 scientists successfully flipped the switch for the first time on The Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland.

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
On this day in 1297 the Battle at Stirling Bridge between the Scottish and English armies was won by Scottish forces led by rebel William Wallace.
On this day in 1971 Nikita Khrushchev, former Soviet leader and one of the most significant figures of the Cold War, died.
On this day in 2001 a series of four coordinated suicide attacks were carried out by the terrorist group Al Qaeda using planes to target major American landmarks.

THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
On this day in 1624 the first submarine was publicly demonstrated for King James I on the river Thames in London.
On this day in 1940 four teens following their dog down a hole near Lascaux, France, discovered 17,000 year old drawings now known as the Lascaux Cave Paintings.
On this day in 1981 'The Smurfs' animated cartoon series by Hanna-Barbera was first broadcast in the United States.

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
On this day in 122 building began on the structure known as Hadrian's Wall to mark the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire and to repel invaders.
On this day in 1224 Francis of Assisi was afflicted with stigmata after a vision whilst praying on Mount Verna.
On this day in 1916 children’s author Roald Dahl was born in South Wales.

Awareness days from around the world

SEPTEMBER IS
UK:
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month / A Month of Movement, Urology Awareness Month, Organic September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Festival of Learning Have a Go Month.
WORLDWIDE:
Oddfellows Friendship Month, Baby Safety Month, Bear Necessities Month, Chiari Awareness Month, Classical Music Month, Friendship Month, Happy Cat Month, Hunger Action Month, Intelligent Automation Month, International Square Dancing Month, Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month, National Chicken Month, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, National Dmv Appreciation Month, National Dystonia Awareness Month, National Guide Dog Month, National Honey Month, National Italian Cheese Month, National Library Card Sign-up Month, National Mushroom Month, National Organic Month, National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, National Papaya Month, National Pet Insurance Month, National Piano Month, National Preparedness Month, National Recovery Month, National Sewing Month, National Suicide Prevention Month, Nicu Awareness Month, Organic September, Pain Awareness Month, Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, Read a New Book Month, Self-improvement Month, Sepsis Awareness Month, Shake Month, Skyscraper Month, Sleeptember, Sourdough September, Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, Vascular Disease Awareness Month, Whole Grains Month, World Alzheimer’s Month, World Fun Fair Month.

THIS WEEK IS
UK:
Heritage Open Days, Know Your Numbers Week (Blood Pressure UK), Air Ambulance Week, Sexual Health Week, UK Savings Week.
WORLDWIDE:
Fairtrade Fortnight, Play Safety Week, National Compassionate Leadership Week, National Arts In Education Week, National Beauty And Barber Week, National Folic Acid Awareness Week, Healthcare Environmental Services Week, National Nephrology Nurses Week, National Suicide Prevention Week, National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, National Biscuits And Gravy Week, Line Dance Week, Alopecia Areata Awareness Month, Baby Safety Month, Better Breakfast Month, Classical Music Month, Fall Hat Month, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, International Update Your Resume Month, National Americana Month, National Chicken Month, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, National Courtesy Month, National Disease Literacy Month, National Honey Month, National Italian Cheese Month, National Library Card Sign-up Month, National Little League Month, National Mortgage Professional Month, National Mushroom Month, National Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month, National Nica Month, National Pain Awareness Month, National Piano Month, National Potato Month, National Preparedness Month, National Recovery Month, National Rice Month, National Sewing Month, National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, National Square Dance Month, National Suicide Prevention Month, Prostate Health Month, Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, Save Your Photos Month, Self-care Awareness Month, Self-improvement Month, Whole Grains Month, Chef Appreciation Week, Housekeepers Week, National Assisted Living Week, Toronto International Film Festival.

MONDAY 09 SEPTEMBER
WORLDWIDE:
International Technical Analyst Day, Share Your Care Day, Emergency Services Day, Care Bears Share Your Care Day, National Boss/Employee Exchange Day, National When Pigs Fly Day, International Sudoku Day, National Teddy Bear Day, Falsely Accused Day, Wonderful Weirdos Day, National Wienerschnitzel Day, Steak Au Poivre Day.

TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
WORLDWIDE:
National Ants On A Log Day, World Suicide Prevention Day, National Swap Ideas Day, National TV Dinner Day.

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
WORLDWIDE:
Patriot Day, Emergency Number Day, National Hot Cross Buns Day, National Quiet Day, Libraries Remember Day, September 11 National Day of Service, National SUP Day, No News is Good News Day, National Make Your Bed Day.

THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
WORLDWIDE:
National Hug And High 5 Day, National Just One Human Family Day, National Report Medicare Fraud Day, Day Of The Programmer, National School Picture Day, National Video Games Day, R U OK Day, World Dolphin Day, Gym Day, National Chocolate Milkshake Day, National Police Woman Day, National Day of Encouragement.

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
WORLDWIDE:
National Bald Is Beautiful Day, International Chocolate Day, National Blame Someone Else Day, Stand Up to Cancer Day, National Hug Your Boss Day, National Celiac Disease Awareness Day, Supernatural Day, National Peanut Day, National Defy Superstition Day, National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day, Uncle Sam Day, Roald Dahl Day, Positive Thinking Day, National Fortune Cookie Day.

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