GENERAL:
Cyber security. The government set out how it will protect and secure online public services through a Government Cyber Unit with a Software Security Ambassador Scheme helping drive best practice, as it published its new Government Cyber Action Plan.
Business confidence. The Institute of Directors (IoD) pointed to a slight improvement in business confidence as it published the results from its latest survey completed last month, albeit with recruitment remaining flat and worries about tax and employment law remaining high.
Workplace stress. The TUC reported on a new survey from its health and safety reps showing an ‘unprecedented’ increase in the number of workers reporting work-related stress, anxiety or depression over 2024/25, calling for a reduction in workloads and the strengthening of laws to help reduce stress.
Young voters. The consultancy Public First published the results of its recent focus group work in two locations with Yr 8 pupils likely to be the first group of 16/17 yr olds able to vote at the next UK general election, finding political views in most cases shaped by family, location and lived experience but all unaware that the voting age had been lowered. SCHOOLS:
Results app. The government confirmed that following trials last year, pupils in England will be able to view their GCSE results on their phones this summer as well as still being able to go into school, as it announced plans to develop an Education Record enabling school leavers to easily access their exam results once they’ve left.
MAT inspections. The Education Secretary confirmed that they were looking to amend the current Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to provide for inspections of multi-academy trusts (MATs) potentially from next year.
All RISE. The DfE reported on its series of regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) webinars led by sector experts over last term covering such topics as language, early maths and strategic leadership, all aimed at helping raise development levels for children at the end of their first year at school.
Changing allegiance. The House magazine reported on the NEU’s recent poll among members showing a massive collapse in support for Labour among teacher members with the Greens emerging as the most popular political party. FE/SKILLS:
City and Guilds. The Trustees of City and Guilds of London Institute (CGLI) issued a Statement intended to answer questions about the sale of its awarding and training arms as concerns and criticisms of the sale intensified.
Another NEET Inquiry. The House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee issued a call for evidence as it launched a new Inquiry into NEETs and youth unemployment, pointing to issues about available support for young people and access to the labour market. Inspection FAQs. Ofsted ran through some of the most frequently asked questions with answers in a new blog about the new inspection framework and how it applies to FE and skills, covering among other things how much notice will be given, what data is needed, how disadvantaged will be defined, and what ‘needs attention’ actually means.
The year ahead. Fiona Aldridge, Chief Exec at the Skills Federation set out her thoughts on how skills policy should shape up in the year ahead, calling for a break in announcements and a focus instead on implementation with sharper responses to employer demands, smarter skills coordination and enhanced sector-focused approaches among the priorities. HE:
Student Finance. Labour MP Luke Charters presented a new Bill to parliament to regularise the payment of student maintenance loans from termly to monthly payments to help students manage their finances better.
OU. The Times Higher reported that the Open University (OU) had dropped plans to move to a new campus in Milton Keynes preferring instead to focus on its traditional model of working closely with other institutions to ensure flexible provision was available across the country with campus provision available for block release when needed.
Targeted recruitment. The Guardian reported that Trinity Hall College, Cambridge was looking to ‘target’ its recruitment strategy around its core subject offer and the specialist schools that prepare for them, raising some concerns about a preferential/elitist model of student recruitment.
Graduate Futures. The Graduate Futures Institute highlighted in a new report the extent of careers and employability support provided by HE institutions in the UK, such as one-to-one guidance appointments and CV checkers, all aimed at helping students and graduates becoming career ready.
Graduate recruitment. Stephen Isherwood, joint Chief Exec of the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) suggested in a new blog on the ISE site that it could be another difficult year for student employment with the speed of pickup in the economy and AI key factors in any improvement.
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