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GENERAL
PM’s address. Rishi Sunak highlighted the importance of innovation, how this can be used to support economic growth and transform public services, and how government was supporting the development of the skills needed for innovation, as he addressed business leaders at the CBI Annual Conference DG’s address. Tony Danker, Director-General at the CBI outlined three priorities as the basis for growth (greater business ingenuity, more private sector investment, government provision of pro-growth rules) in an opening address to the organisation’s Annual Conference. Me and my team. The Education Secretary explained her priorities which included responding to the SEND and AP Green Paper, supporting tutoring catchup in schools, skills reform and technical qualifications, and the introduction of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement, as she introduced herself and her team via a DfE blog.
SCHOOLS:
Multiplication tables. The government published for the first-time data on the multiplication tables check taken by Year 4 pupils this summer, showing that over a quarter of them achieved full marks, although less so for disadvantaged pupils. Exemption inspections. Ofsted published initial findings from its recent re-inspections of schools previously exempt from inspection for being graded outstanding, reporting that of those reinspected last year, over 80% had not retained the outstanding grade. Teacher supply. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) revealed in a new Nuffield funded report the extent of teacher recruitment and retention issues, with many non-specialist teachers having to be used in subjects like maths and sciences to cover for shortages.
FE/SKILLS:
T level funding. The government set out the guidance for Wave 5 of the T level Capital Fund which will see £150m+ available for estate and equipment needs for those delivering in 2024/5, with applications to be in by 3 Feb 2023. Apprenticeship data. The government published the final figures for apprenticeships and traineeships for the 2021/22 year showing an increase in uptake largely at higher and advanced levels but a further slowdown in traineeships. VQ Update. Ofqual published latest quarterly data for vocational and other qualifications for the period July – Sept 2022 showing a drop in the overall number of certificates issued in this period, notably in some L2 and L3 areas.
HE:
R/D. The government confirmed further investment in UK research and development including UK leadership of the fusion sector as talks continue about UK access to EU programmes such as Horizon and Euratom. Industrial action expectations. The Office for Students (OfS) issued updated (from last year) guidance for what institutions are expected to provide during a time of industrial action to ensure that regulatory, including consumer protection, requirements are met and students are not disadvantaged. Regulatory Framework. The Office for Students (OfS) published the latest and full 200+ page version of its regulatory framework, incorporating amendments introduced during the year.
Education Questions for MPs (Monday 28 November.) Education Committee session on careers guidance (Tuesday 29 November). Launch of Institute for Employment Studies Report and Commission on Future Employment Support (Friday 2 December).
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MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER On this day in 1660 a meeting of 12 scholars, including Christopher Wren, decided to set up a College for the Promoting of Physico-Mathematical Experimental Learning, which became the Royal Society. On this day in 1919 Nancy, Viscountess Astor, won a by-election in Plymouth, becoming the first female MP to sit in the House of Commons. On this day in 1990 Margaret Thatcher formally tendered her resignation as prime minister and left Downing Street for the last time.
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER On this day in 1877 Thomas Edison demonstrated his hand-cranked phonograph, which recorded sound onto cylinders. On this day in 1935 Physicist Erwin Schrodinger published his famous thought experiment ‘Schrodinger’s Cat’, a paradox that illustrates the problem of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics. On this day in 1947 the UN voted to partition Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state, with Jerusalem internationally administered.
WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER On this day in 1487 the first German Beer Purity Law (Reinheitsgebot), was promulgated in Munich by Albert VI, Duke of Bavaria, stating beer should be brewed from only three ingredients – water, malt and hops. On this day in 1648 the English Parliamentary army captured King Charles I. On this day in 1678 Roman Catholics were banned from the English Parliament.
THURSDAY 01 DECEMBER On this day in 1913 the world’s first moving assembly line was opened by carmakers Ford. On this day in 1955 Rosa Parks, an African American, was arrested in Alabama for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. On this day in 1995 the former Barings Ban trader Nick Leeson pleaded guilty to fraud related to losses that broke the bank.
FRIDAY 02 DECEMBER On this day in 1697 the quire, the first part of Christopher Wren’s St Pauls Cathedral to be finished, was opened. On this day in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself French Emperor in Paris. On this day in 1971 six states formed the independent United Arab Emirates.
SATURDAY 03 DECEMBER On this day in 1586 Sir Thomas Herriot introduced potatoes to England from Columbia. On this day in 1854 Eureka Stockdale: in what is claimed by many to be the birth of Australian democracy, more than 20 goldminers at Ballerat, Victoria, were killed by state troopers in an uprising over mining licences. On this day in 1946 the US government asked the UN to order dictator Francisco Franco out of Spain.
SUNDAY 04 DECEMBER On this day in 1791 the oldest Sunday newspaper in the world, The Observer, was first published. On this day in 1988 Edwina Currie, under-secretary of state for health, sparked controversy by claiming that most British eggs produced were infected by salmonella. On this day in 1889 Explorer Henery Morton Stanley’s expedition reached Bagamoyo in the Indian Ocean.
Awareness days from around the world
DECEMBER IS:
WORLDWIDE: Advent (religious: Christian – 27 November to 23 December), Food Service Safety Month, Bingo’s Birthday Month, UK: Disability History Month (to December 16), Decembeard, Cancer Support Scotland, Nos Galan Road Races (Wales). US & CANADA: Eggnog Month, Month of Giving, Gift of Sight Month, Cat Lovers’ Month, Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, Pear Month, Tie Month, Volunteers Month, Write a Business Plan Month, Operation Santa Paws, Safe Toys and Gifts Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, Month of Overseas Filipinos, A Blue Christmas (24 November to 31 December). OTHER COUNTRIES: Volunteerism Month (Philippines).
THIS WEEK IS: UK: Grief Awareness Week. US & CANADA Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, Cookie Cutter Week, Human Rights Consciousness Week (from Sunday 5 December).
MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER
US & CANADA Cyber Monday, French Toast Day, Red Planet Day, Alan Day, Brand Day, Cole Day, Madison Day, Patrick Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: Chatham Islands Anniversary Day (New Zealand), Independence Day (Albania), Independence Day (Mauritania), Sovereignty Day (Argentina).
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Isdal Woman Day. US & CANADA: Day of Giving, Chocolates Day, Electronic Greetings Day, Giving Tuesday, Evan Day, Lemon Cream Pie Day, Square Dancing Day, Throw Out Your Leftovers Day, Chadwick Boseman Day.
WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER
WORLDWIDE: Cities for Life Day. US & CANADA: Personal Space Day, Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, Perpetual Youth Day, Computer Security Day, Mississippi Day, Meth Awareness Day, Mousse Day, Stay Home Because You’re Well Day, Mason Jar Day, Choose Women Wednesday, Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare. OTHER COUNTRIES: Independence Day (Barbados), Guru Nanak Jayanti (India), Bonifacio Day (Philippines).
THURSDAY 01 DECEMBER
WORLDWIDE: World AIDS Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance. UK: St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland). US & CANADA: Rosa Parks Day, Christmas Lights Day, Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day, Day With(out) Art Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, Pie Day, Antarctica Day, Civil Air Patrol Day, Package Protection Day, Peppermint Bark Day, Women Support Women Day, Prisoners for Peace Day, Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. OTHER COUNTRIES: Ben-Gurion Day (Israel), Central African Republic Day, Freedom and Democracy Day (Chad), First President’s Day (Kazakhstan), Commemoration Day (UAE), Independence Day (Portugal), Independence Day (Romania), State Inauguration Day (Nagaland).
FRIDAY 02 DECEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, World Futures Day, Computer Literacy Day, Pollution Prevention Day. UK: Fuel Poverty Awareness Day. US & CANADA: Fritters Day, Mutt Day, Special Education Day, Faux Fur Friday, Business of Popping Corn Day, Bartender Day, Build Joy, Katherine Day, Skip School Day, Play Basketball Day, Safety razor Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: National Day (Lao), National Day (UAE), Asom Divas (India), Anytime Hawaiian Day (Hawaii).
SATURDAY 03 DECEMBER
WORLDWIDE: Feast of St. Francis Xavier (Religious: Christian), International Day of Persons with Disabilities, International Sweater Festival. UK: Tree Dressing Day, Small Business Saturday. US & CANADA: Rhubarb Vodka Day, SKYWARN Recognition Day, Roof Over Your Head Day, Bartender Appreciation Day, Candle Day, Coats and Toys for Kids Day, Let’s Hug Day, Make a Gift Day, Dorothy Day, Heather Day, Issac Day, Lisa Day, Ronald Day. OTHER COUNTRIES: Day of Navarre (Spain), Crate Day (New Zealand), Saba Day (Saba), Farmers’ Day (Ghana).
SUNDAY 04 DECEMBER
WORLDWIDE: International Cheetah Day, Wildlife Conservation Day, Global Fat Bike Day, International Day of Banks. US & CANADA: Santa’s List Day, Tree Dressing Day, Cookie Day, Dice Day, Sock Day, Cabernet Franc Day, Chester Greenwood (Earmuff) Day, Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day, Francis Day, Wear Brown Shoes Day.
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