Weekly Round Up - 17/11/2024

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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS

Three of the week's headlines ...

Three in four England universities expected to be in the red next year

Sixth form teachers in 32 colleges will go on strike from November over pay

Youth club closures led to increased offending and worse GCSE results – IFS

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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:
Clean Energy. The Energy, Security and Net Zero Committee launched a new Inquiry into workforce planning and skill needs for the UK’s clean energy commission and of the role of key bodies and agencies involved in ensuring such a trained workforce for the future.
National Youth Strategy. The government announced plans to wind down the National Citizen Service (NCS) and to create a National Youth Service with young people invited in the first instance to ‘engage in a national conversation’ that will help draft the Strategy and in turn complement the new Youth Guarantee.
Youth clubs. The IfS examined the impact of youth clubs on education and crime and in particular what happens when such clubs are shut down, concluding that young people in areas affected by closures ended up with poorer outcomes at school and were more likely to commit crimes.

SCHOOLS:
Maths and sciences GCSE. Ofqual confirmed, following recent consultation, that students taking GCSE maths, physics and combined science exams in 2025, 2026, and 2027 will continue to be provided with formulae and equation sheets, with these being published next month for those taking exams next summer.
AI in schools. Bett reported a mixed picture about the role and value of AI in schools as it published the results of a YouGov survey showing that among those surveyed, more teachers disagree than agree that AI will free up teaching time or transform classroom teaching practices, although many recognise the inevitability of AI-powered assessments in time.
Deprivation funding. The Education Policy Institute called for savings made from falling student numbers to be redirected to supporting persistently disadvantaged pupils as it published a new report showing a continuing wide attainment gap between such pupils and their non-disadvantaged peers.

FE/SKILLS:
Minister’s address. Jacqui Smith, the skills minister, addressed the AoC Conference where she set out her plans for strengthening the skills system and confirmed the latest funding to support colleges, including help with increased employer NI contributions and ‘a crown guarantee’ for colleges within the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Chief Inspector’s address. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted Chief Inspector, also addressed the AoC Conference where he confirmed plans to remove the single word judgement for colleges from next September in favour of a report card approach as well as developing a local ‘insights service’ to better understand the local context and demand in which colleges operate.
T levels. The Education Policy Institute called for funding for other overlapping qualifications to T levels, such as BTECs, to continue and for the current T level transition programme to be overhauled as it pointed to a mixed picture on T level performance in a new report.

HE:
University finances. The OfS published a further update on the state of university finances indicating that ‘nearly three-quarters of HE providers could be in deficit by 2025/26’ with teaching-intensive providers most vulnerable.
Efficiency Taskforce. Sally Mapstone, President of Universities UK (UUK,) welcomed the government’s recent tuition fee announcement for next year and confirmed that as proposed in UUK’s recent blueprint, a new Transformation and Efficiency Taskforce would be set up by the end of the year and report back next summer.
Future funding. Rachel Wolf, CEO of the consultancy Public First, argued in a blog on the Wonkhe site that universities will need to demonstrate their value to the lives of both individuals and governments in a more direct and accessible way if they are to secure greater funding in future.

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Latest research, reports and studies

Exclusions and suspensions in 2023/24 | FFT Education Datalab
Does Ofsted improve schools? Views from within | Teacher Toolkit
Tackling the persistent disadvantage gap - A new approach to deprivation funding | EPI
Measuring reading fluency during primary education | FFT Education Datalab
Engaging parents and guardians in early childhood education and care centres | OECD
Artificial intelligence vs human brain | Teacher Toolkit
The effects of youth clubs on education and crime | IFS
A class act: Social mobility and the creative industries | Sutton Trust
The triangle of lifelong learning: Strategies, motivation, and self-belief | OECD
PISA 2022 results (volume V): Learning strategies and attitudes for life | OECD
‘No magic bullet’ - An investigation into the first-class degree gender awarding gap at Oxford and Cambridge and how to address it | HEPI
How could the benefits system help more young people do an apprenticeship? | Youth Futures Foundation
A quantitative analysis of T level access and progression | EPI
Equality in higher education: staff statistical report 2024 | Advance HE
‘Bold and transformative action’ needed to address financial sustainability | OfS

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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK

Parliament and elsewhere

Adjournment debate on the rollout of free breakfast clubs in primary schools (Monday 18 November)
Westminster Hall debate on Apprenticeships and T levels (Wednesday 20 November)
Schools and Academies Show (Wednesday 20 November)
Deadline for submissions to the Curriculum and Assessment Review (Friday 22 November)

Events and CPD opportunities

Wednesday 20 November: Schools & Academies Show 2024 | GovNet (in-person event)
Thursday 21 November: Student experience: mental health and wellbeing conference 2024 | Universities UK (in-person event)

Running an education-related event that you'd like to see included in our calendar? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with details and a link to the booking info.

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Three interesting daily facts

MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER
On this day in 1626 St Peter's Basilica was consecrated in Rome replacing an earlier basilica on the same site and becoming the world's largest Christian church.
On this day in 1902 Brooklyn toymaker Morris Michtom named the teddy bear after US President Teddy Roosevelt.
On this day in 1916 British General Douglas Haig finally called off the First Battle of the Somme in World War I after more than one million soldiers were killed or wounded.

TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER
On this day in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg address to remind a war-weary public why the Union had to fight and win the Civil War.
On this day in 1895 American inventor Frederick E Blaisdell of Philadelphia patented the self-sharpening paper sheathed pencil, commonly known as a china marker.
On this day in 1977 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab head of state to visit Israel and address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.

WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER
On this day in 284 Roman general Diocletian was proclaimed Emperor by armies of the east and west after the death of Carinus at the Battle of the Margus.
On this day in 1805 Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera 'Fidelio' premiered at Vienna's Theater an der Wien.
On this day in 1945 the Nuremberg war trials began as twenty-four Nazi leaders were put on trial for atrocities committed during World War II.

THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER
On this day in 1941 the fictional cartoon canary Tweety Bird made his debut in 'A Tale of Two Kitties'.
On this day in 1976 'Rocky' directed by John G Avildsen and starring Sylvester Stallone premiered in New York.
On this day in 2017 Robert Mugabe's resignation after 37 years in power was read out in Zimbabwe's parliament during impeachment proceedings.

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER
On this day in 1497 Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope on the first voyage from Europe to reach India.
On this day in 1963 US President John F Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in an open-topped motorcade in Dallas, Texas.
On this day in 2005 Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany.

Awareness days from around the world

NOVEMBER IS
UK:
Mouth Cancer Action Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
WORLDWIDE:
Adopt A Senior Pet Month, Adopt a Turkey Month, Aviation History Month, Banana Pudding Lovers Month, Bladder Health Month, COPD Awareness Month, Diabetic Eye Disease Month, Epilepsy Awareness Month, Erectile Dysfunction Awareness Month, Eye Donor Awareness Month, Family Stories Month, Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month, Historic Bridge Awareness Month, Inspirational Role Models Month, Long-term Care Awareness Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Manatee Awareness Month, Men’s Health Awareness Month (Movember), Military Family Month, Mouth Cancer Action Month, National Adoption Month, National Alzheimer's Disease Month, National Career Development Month, National Children’s Month, National Diabetes Month, National Entrepreneurship Month, National Family Caregivers Month, National Family Literacy Month, National Fondue Month, National Fun with Fondue Month, National Gratitude Month, National Healthy Skin Month, National Home Care and Hospice Month, National Impotency Month, National Inspirational Role Models Month, National Life Writing Month, National Marrow Awareness Month, National Medical Science Liaison (MSL), National Military Family Month, National Native American Heritage Month, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, National Pepper Month, National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, National Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Month, National Pomegranate Month, National PPSI Aids Awareness Month, National Raisin Bread Month, National Repair Done Right Month, National Rice Awareness Month, National Roasting Month, National Scholarship Month, Native American Heritage Month, Noshavember, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Pet Cancer Awareness Month, Pet Diabetes Month, Prematurity Awareness Month, PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, Spinach And Squash Month, Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, Sweet Potato Awareness Month, Veg Pledge, World Vegan Month, Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month.

THIS WEEK IS
UK:
Book Week Scotland, Road Safety Week, Children’s Day.
WORLDWIDE:
American Education Week, AMR Awareness Week, Bible Week, Book Awards Week, Cairo International Film Festival, Children’s Month, Geography Awareness Week, Global Entrepreneurship Week, Hunger And Homelessness Awareness Week, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Madd Tie One On For Safety Holiday Campaign, Peanut Butter Lovers Month, Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims, Road Safety Week, Roasting Month, Transgender Awareness Week, US Antibiotic Awareness Week, World Nursery Rhyme Week, International Leadership Week.

MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE:
Apple Cider Day, Housing Day, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Men, Mickey Mouse’s Birthday, Minnie Mouse’s Birthday, Occult Day, Princess Day, Underwater Hockey World Day, Vichyssoise Day.

TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER
UK:
Odd Socks Day.
WORLDWIDE:
Camp Day, Carbonated Beverage With Caffeine Day, Discovery of Puerto Rico Day, Entrepreneurs’ Day, Have A Bad Day Day, International Men’s Day, Kentucky Day, Oceans Of Plastic Day, Play Monopoly Day, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, Working Daughters Day, World Toilet Day.

WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER
UK:
Blue Wednesday.
WORLDWIDE:
Absurdity Day, Africa Industrialization Day, American Education Week, Black Consciousness Day, Child's Day, Educational Support Professionals Day, Future Teachers of America Day, GIS Day, Name Your PC Day, Peanut Butter Fudge Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Universal Children’s Day, Win Friends and Influence People Day in the USA, World Children’s Day, World COPD Awareness Day, World Silambam Day.

THURSDAY 21 NOVEMBER
UK:
Carers Rights Day.
WORLDWIDE:
Beaujolais Nouveau Day, False Confession Day, Gingerbread Cookie Day, Great American Smokeout Day, Guinness World Records Day, Red Mitten Day, Rural Health Day, Social Enterprise Day, Stuffing Day, The Great American Smokeout, Use Less Stuff Day, World Hello Day, World Pancreatic Cancer Day, World Philosophy Day, World Television Day.

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER
UK:
Cancer Support Scotland Day.
WORLDWIDE:
Cranberry Relish Day, Espresso Day, Flossing Day, Go For A Ride Day, Humane Society Anniversary Day, Substitute Educators Day.

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