GENERAL:
Quango alert. The government set out the principles behind its major review of quangos with each dept called on to justify every quango in scope or see them “closed, merged, or have powers brought back into the department.”
Cyber security. The government announced the launch of the Cyber Governance Code of Practice along with a Cyber Security Toolkit and Governance Training designed to provide free support and guidance for boards and directors of medium and large organisations.
EU AI Plan. The EU Commission set its sights on the EU becoming ‘a global leader in AI’ as it presented its AI continent plan aiming to mobilise €200 billion investment with initiatives in 5 areas including increasing access to high-quality data, strengthening AI skills and talents, and building a large-scale AI computing infrastructure.
AI developments. The IPPR think tank called on the government to take a stronger lead in shaping how AI is deployed as it published results from its ‘first of a kind’ AI database, showing that too many companies are focused on improving existing business processes rather than pursing innovations to help tackle societal concerns in areas like health, transport and climate change.
Industrial strategy. Former minister David Willetts offered a practical guide to developing an Industrial Strategy in an essay for the Resolution Foundation, putting forward 20 tools that might help including getting senior ministers to work closely with top companies, promoting a mix of public/private investment for skills training and developing technology roadmaps.
Recruitment. The British Chambers of Commerce reported a drop to 20% in the number of firms looking to recruit as its latest Recruitment Outlook Survey showed firms concerned about labour costs notably in sectors like manufacturing, hospitality and construction.
Flexi working. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) highlighted the importance of flexi work options to employees as it published the results of a business survey conducted in February showing employers concerned about the impact of rising sickness rates on productivity and the need for flexible approaches.
Children’s centres. The Centre for Young Lives pointed to a worrying decimation of children’s support and family hub services as it published FOI survey evidence showing council cuts to spending in these areas in recent years, calling as a result for ringfenced funding to secure future family support.
SCHOOLS:
Attainment and disadvantage. Shadow Education Minister Neil O’Brien questioned the government’s approach to school system and accountability reform in a new Substack this week, arguing the case for school-led improvement generally through trusts rather than the government’s centrally driven model.
Exams 2025. Ofqual published a guide, complete with video explainer, on the marking and grading of this summer’s GCSE and A levels, confirming as in previous years the importance of maintaining standards over time.
Cost cutting. The Sutton Trust published commissioned NFER research undertaken last month and showing schools cutting budgets and having to cut back on staffing, tutoring programmes and other activities as budget pressures mount with schools using the Pupil Premium to help plug gaps.
Wellbeing and attainment. The SMF think tank called for a reduction in the number of high-stake exams along with a Young Peoples Wellbeing Measurement programme as it published a new briefing aimed at securing a better balance between wellbeing and attainment.
Expressive Arts. The Cultural Learning Alliance published its ‘Report Card’ for 2025 looking at what’s happening to Expressive Arts in state schools in England pointing to a clear link between family deprivation and ‘a trajectory of decline’ generally in Arts subjects with A level Dance showing the biggest drop in take-up.
School partnerships. The Education Policy Institute examined partnership models between state and independent schools in a report funded by the HMC, looking at two in detail and finding some constraints around funding, staffing and culture but equally lots of benefits around extended learning and experiences.
FE/SKILLS:
Digital skills. NCFE reported on the findings from its Digital Skills Initial Assessment exercise undertaken over a few weeks last autumn and revealing a mixed picture on digital proficiency among participants with the majority reaching basic skill levels but equally some 20%, including many younger people, lacking the basic digital skills needed for modern life.
STEM skills. The STEM consultancy, SThree, and the CEBR published the results of their inaugural STEM Skills Index, pointing to the importance of such skills and looking more deeply at how countries were developing their respective workforces accordingly, showing Switzerland, Singapore and the Nordic nations leading the way with the UK ranked 7th in the top ten, with strengths in biotech and Life Sciences.
Technical education careers. The Career Development Institute (CDI) announced the launch of its Technical Education Resource Hub, an online platform supported by Gatsby and bringing together information and resources on tech ed pathways for careers advisers.
Adult skills. Dr Susan Pember, Policy Director at Holex, highlighted in a paper for the Campaign for Learning, the importance of adult skills to the government’s growth agenda, pointing to the impact of recent budget cuts along with fears of possible future cuts, and calling for the government to secure investment in this area under the forthcoming Spending Review.
HE:
Augar returns. The Times Higher reported that Sir Philip Augar, Chair of the last major HE funding review, argued that it would be ‘unthinkable’ for a university to fail but also that government support should be coupled with an institutional governance review, as he gave evidence to the Education Committee’s session on HE finances.
Committee evidence. The Russell Group and Universities UK outlined their joint concerns and call for action as they posted their summary of the Education Committee’s session on HE finances, drawing attention to the fact that the first report from UUK’s Efficiency Taskforce is expected shortly.
Grounds for appeal. Sussex University confirmed that it intended to appeal against the recent judgement and fine issued by the OfS in relation to Freedom of Speech, setting out eight grounds for appeal including the fact that the fine was ‘unreasonable and disproportionate’ and that the OfS had ‘misdirected’ itself in a couple of areas.
Strike action protections. The Office for Students (OfS) pointed to concerns about the impact of industrial action on students, setting out ‘six expectations’ that it expects providers to adopt including communicating clearly with students and prioritising education provision where necessary.
Language skills and research. The British Academy pointed in a new report to the importance of language skills as a tool in research, calling for these to be recognised in REF submissions and for investment to be made available for language training to avoid UK researchers from being cut off.
Subject benchmarks. The QAA published this year’s batch of Subject Benchmark Statement setting out expected standards in specific subject areas with updates in a number of subjects including Accounting and Physics and a new Statement for Public Policy and Public Admin.
Student survey. The QAA’s Student Strategic Advisory Committee announced the launch of a survey among current students and recent graduates about value for money and its importance to them, with a closing date for responses of 25 April 2025.
Top marks. The Times Higher reported on latest HESA research showing a further fall in the number of universities awarding top degree awards, with Russell Group students generally receiving the largest number.
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