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LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK THAT WAS
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The main stories from the papers
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The latest announcements and policy news
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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, and all the not-to-be-missed statistics.
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GENERAL:
Cyber security. The government set out its proposals around cyber security and resilience in a Statement to parliament ahead of legislation due later this year, including bringing more service providers into scope, setting new executive including for government and ensuring the regulatory framework keeps pace.
Get Britain Working. The government outlined some of the key metrics it intends to use, such as the number of 18 - 66 yr olds in employment divided by their overall number, household real earnings and reductions in health-related economic inactivity, and the disability employment rate gap, as it chases its target of raising the UK employment rate to 80%,
Living Wage. The Living Wage Foundation welcomed the increase in the National Living Wage from this April but argued that it still falls short of the real Living Wage set by the Foundation at 39p an hour higher.
Youth labour market. The IfS raised concerns about the impact of this week’s increases to the minimum wage and to employer NI contributions on the youth labour market, suggesting that they may encourage firms to look to more automation, older workers or simply reduce hiring altogether, thereby diminishing job opportunities for young people at a particularly challenging time.
Early Years. The Early Years Alliance raised concerns over funding agreements being imposed by some local authorities which are placing greater restrictions on providers than those required by DfE guidance, resulting in difficulties over access, costs and expectations around the early entitlement offer.
Business Plan 2025/6. The Children’s Commissioner set out her Business Plan for the year ahead, promising not just a new Festival of Childhood and a look at how schools and allied services support children but also a major new data project mapping the best places for where children can grow up.
Digital divide. The regulator Ofcom published further evidence about the extent of the digital divide in the UK ahead of recommendations due later this year, revealing that 5% of the population don’t have any access to the internet and 8% lack confidence in using it.
SCHOOLS:
In court. Some families, faith schools and the Independent Schools Council took their case against VAT on fees in private schools to the High Court, using the three-day hearing to argue that the imposition breached human rights.
Teachers’ pay. The NEU published new commissioned research showing that teacher pay in England compares unfavourably with that in other professions, calling for ‘urgent action’ as a result.
AI in schools. The government set out its current thinking around the use of AI in schools, arguing that it was there to help pupils and teachers and make learning more productive as it set out the steps it was taking to help schools take advantage of developing technology.
School-based nurseries. The government announced increased funding and the roll-out of 4,000 school-based nursery places from this September with a target set of 6,000 in total around the country as part of its commitment.
Tutoring. The consultancy Public First set out the principles for what should constitute an effective national state-funded tutoring scheme in the future, suggesting in a commissioned report that it should run from KS2 to post-16 with a focus on English and maths.
Socio-emotional skills. The NFER called for greater attention and support to be given to young people’s socio-emotional and other related skills as it published a new report suggesting that such skills among young people in England are notably weaker compared to their peers in comparator countries.
GCSE Computer Science. The government confirmed a small number of changes to the content of GCSE Computer Science following last year’s consultation and current curriculum consultation, with the changes due to take effect from summer 2027 on.
Assessment arrangements 2025/6. The Standards and Testing Agency published the statutory requirements for the 2025/6 reception baseline assessment (RBA) which take place within the first 6 weeks of pupil starting reception, signalling two new assessment services schools will need to use to prepare for and administer the assessment.
Chief inspector’s speech. Ofsted Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver set out the case for Ofsted’s current reform proposals in a speech at the City of London Guildhall, arguing that the proposals focus on what really matters to a good education such as behaviour and attendance as well as building on existing standards and recognising those who go beyond and above.
SEND matters. The Guardian reflected on the ‘crisis’ in SEND in a key Editorial, highlighting the challenges facing both families and local councils grappling with rising numbers and costs but ultimately only able to call for ‘an honest debate.’
FE/SKILLS:
Capital funding. The government announced the amounts of funding from last October’s budget as part of its conditional allocation for FE college buildings in need of urgent repair.
Skills strategy. MakeUK published the final report from its Industrial Strategy Skills Commission setting out a number of immediate and longer-term recommendations, from ringfencing levy funding and looking at funding bands on certain skills courses in the short-term, to future skills mapping and tax reliefs in the longer-term.
Devolution effect. The AoC highlighted the liberating powers of devolution on developing the skills system and releasing the power of colleges as it published a commissioned report from the consultancy Think pointing to what can be achieved in areas like skills when local leaders are empowered. AELP Exchange. The AELP outlined new ways of working with members under the umbrella of AELP Exchange, which will see new Communities of Practice set up alongside existing Sector Forums and Special Interest Groups to discuss policy and share best practice.
Ofsted on careers guidance. Ofsted published a further government commissioned report into careers guidance, looking here at evidence from colleges working with learners from lower socio-economic backgrounds and finding a mixed picture, calling as a result for better targeted support and collaboration.
Adult career guidance. The Gatsby Foundation reported on recent SQW/ICGS research looking into how other countries such as Finland and Germany approach adult career guidance, pointing to six features of identified good practice including access to good data and clear referral systems.
WorldSkills team. WorldSkills UK announced the squad that will go into training now on skills ranging from bricklaying to digital games, from which a team will be selected to represent the UK at the ‘Skills Olympics’ in Shanghai in Sept 2026.
HE:
With the benefit of hindsight. The HE Policy Institute (HEPI) and partners examined student choices about HE and how far minds might have changed with the benefit of hindsight, finding the majority happy with their choice of what and where to study but pointing equally to the importance of students doing careful research first and being able to switch courses later if necessary.
Closing down. The OfS reflected on what lessons could be learned from institutional closures, calling on leaders to regularly monitor institutional finances, consider early intervention where necessary and communicate openly and clearly with students and staff if they run into operational difficulties and have to consider closure.
Widening participation. UPP Foundation announced it was launching a major new inquiry into widening participation, pledging a series of reports over the coming months looking into areas like regional ‘cold spots’ and student experiences and starting with a ‘state of the nation’ briefing highlighting current disparities.
Skills policy. Former government adviser Tom Richmond reported on the challenges facing the government’s new skills body in a report for HEPI, suggesting that with limited funding, a poorly defined role and an uncertain relationship with key bodies such as the OfS, it may struggle to create a high-powered, high-skill tertiary system.
Online exams. The Times Higher reported on research from Swansea University showing that over three-quarters of respondents in a survey indicated that they were using online remote exams despite the ending four years ago of lockdown restrictions and despite concerns about a lack of invigilation and the potential for cheating.
Digital learning. Wonkhe and Kortext looked into how HE providers were preparing for digital learning, highlighting the importance of overall cultural change as part of the process and pointing to aspects such as being able to respond to diverse learning needs, aligning systems and providing clear leadership and strategy as important ingredients.
Cyber security. JISC announced it was launching a new security operations centre (SOC) to support universities, colleges and research centres in dealing with cyber security threats, claiming its new centre will help internal teams by providing 24/7 protection and rapid response support.
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Research, reports and studies published this week
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COMING UP IN THE NEXT WEEK
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Important reports, deadlines and government events
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Education Committee ‘deep dive’ evidence session on funding issues in HE (Tuesday 8 April)
Parliamentary Recess (Tuesday 8 – Tuesday 22 April)
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Conferences and CPD opportunities
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Thursday 10 April: Student Engagement Conference 2025 | Advance HE (in-person event)
Thursday 10 April: Effective Relationships for Learning | AELP (online event) |
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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. If we believe it's relevant to our readers we will consider publishing it.
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MONDAY 07 APRIL
On this day in 1994 violence erupted in Rwanda fuelling the launch of the worst episode of genocide since World War II.
TUESDAY 08 APRIL
On this day in 2013 Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died in London aged 87 from a stroke.
WEDNESDAY 09 APRIL
On this day in 1667 the first public art exhibition took place at the Palais-Royale in Paris.
THURSDAY 10 APRIL
On this day in 1912 RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton for her maiden and final voyage.
FRIDAY 11 APRIL
On this day in 2013 fossilised dinosaur eggs complete with embryos were discovered in China’s Lufeng County.
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