Cyber security. The government published its latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey completed over the last few months, indicating that 39% of UK businesses have experienced a cyber attack over the last year with phishing the most common issue but emphasising that a lack of technical knowhow and prioritisation was hampering security in some businesses.
Learning loss. UNICEF issued a new report highlighting the continuing impact of the pandemic on school children around the world, indicating that in many countries schools have yet to reopen suggesting some '2 trillion hours of lost in-person learning globally' with vulnerable and marginalised children most at risk.
Supporting Ukraine education. UNESCO reported on the global events being mobilised to support teachers and learners in and from Ukraine, where it’s estimated some 730+educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed.
SCHOOLS
Living with Covid. The government confirmed that routine testing will no longer be expected in all education and children’s social care settings as of today (1 April,) but that preventative measures such as good hygiene and access to vaccines remain, as well as staying at home for 3 days for 18 yr olds and under who test positive.
White paper. The government published its white paper for schools with a range of proposals, some old, some new and focused on raising levels of English and maths, supporting and developing teachers, extending tutoring and curriculum resource support, strengthening the school system and ensuring a national average length of school week.
National Tutoring Programme. The government announced that from next academic year, funding for the national tutoring programme would be directed straight to schools and a procurement process launched in April to find a new agency to manage the contract.
FURTHER EDUCATION & SKILLS
Skills Bill. The Commons considered the latest amendments to the Skills Bill from the House of Lords, accepting the amendment on careers guidance that would ensure young people had a minimum number of sessions on technical education and apprenticeships but rejecting the proposal to delay the withdrawal of public funding for L3 options.
Adult education. The government issued the grant determination letters, including the L3 Free Courses for Jobs funding, for the devolved authorities for the 2022/23 financial year.
Digital functional skills. The government and Ofqual set out guidelines for the design, provision and assessment of digital functional skills which become available for teaching from August 2023.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Government priorities. The government added its priorities for the Office for Students for the coming year highlighting the importance of HE’s role in helping levelling up, high-quality tech education and flexible provision, in ensuring quality provision and outcomes, and in continuing to monitor and support access and participation, admissions procedures and freedom of speech.
Turing. The Turing Scheme opened for applications for the second of its current three-year funded package with schools, colleges and universities invited to submit bids by 29 April.
Chinese studies. The HE Policy Institute (HEPI) published a new report highlighting the lack of prioritisation attached to the teaching and research on China, especially at a time of needing to recognise the importance of China, calling for a new strategy and focus on Chinese Studies to help remedy the situation.
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Evidence into action: Teaching reading - the reading comprehension house | Education Endowment Foundation Do disadvantaged students choose different subjects from their peers at Key Stage 5? | FFT Education Datalab Report: Fulfilling its potential? How well does the careers information, advice and guidance serve the people it is meant to support in England? | Social Market Foundation Vocational computing qualifications: BCS landscape report | Computing at School Working with worked examples: Simple techniques to enhance their effectiveness | Education Endowment Foundation UKRI publishes governance of good research practice policy | UKRI Report: Understanding China - The study of China and Mandarin in UK schools and universities | HEPI IOE at 120: Seeking the best way to educate the 'whole child', 1922-1932 | IOE Improvements to evidence standards | Best Evidence In Brief Does a preschool intervention work? | Best Evidence In Brief An intervention for high school chemistry and physics | Best Evidence In Brief Reading fluency practice in the primary classroom | Education Endowment Foundation New evidence on the relationship between poverty and child abuse and neglect | Nuffield Foundation Research into supporting science teachers to engage with and carry out research | NFER Why has DfE chosen such an unusual measure as its GCSE target in the new White Paper? | FFT Education Datalab How pandemic closures prompted children to change their perspectives about school | IOE EPI research for the Department for Education on pupil learning loss (March 2022) | EPI Serious risk levelling up will make lives of disadvantaged children even tougher | NFER Why we need an anti-racist approach in early years education | Nesta
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On this day in 1721 Sir Robert Walpole was appointed first lord of the Treasury and chancellor of the exchequer, effectively making him Britain’s first prime minister.
On this day in 1922 Stalin was appointed general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party.
On this day in 1987 jewellery belonging to the Duchess of Windsor wolf for £31 million, six times the estimated sum.
MONDAY 04 APRIL
On this day in 1949 12 nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty for defence against Soviet Aggression.
On this day in 1958 the CND symbol was displayed for the first time.
On this day in 1968 Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, aged 39.
TUESDAY 5 APRIL
On this day in 1951 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death in the US for passing secrets to the Russians.
On this day in 1955 Sir Winston Churchill resigned as prime minister, aged 80, due to failing health.
On this day in 1982 a British Task Force set sail for the Falkland Islands after the invasion by Argentina.
WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL
On this day in 1895 Oscar Wilde was arrested for gross indecency after losing a libel case against the Marquess of Queensberry.
On this day in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games began in Athens.
On this day in 1917 the US declared war on Germany.
THURSDAY 7 APRIL
On this day in 1141 Matilda, daughter of King Henry I became the first woman ruler of England, although she was never crowned.
On this day in 1939 Mussolini invaded Albania.
On this day in 1984 the South African runner Zola Budd, aged 17, was granted British citizenship after only a few weeks in the UK, provoking controversy.
FRIDAY 8 APRIL
On this day in 1838 Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s steamship, the Great Western, left Bristol for New York, the first transatlantic crossing by a steam vessel.
On this day in 1913 China’s first parliament opened in Peking (now Beijing).
On this day in 1986 Clint Eastwood won 72 per cent of the vote to become mayor of Carmel, California.
SATURDAY 9 APRIL
On this day in 1483 Edward V (aged 12) succeeded his father Edward IV as King of England. He was never crowned and disappeared, presumed murdered, following incarceration in the Tower of London with his younger brother Richard (the ‘Princes in the Tower’).
On this day in 1992 John Major was elected prime minister after his Conservative party won the most votes in British electoral history.
On this day in 2003 Saddam Hussein’s government was ousted from power in Iraq.
SUNDAY 10 APRIL
On this day in 1820 the first shipload of British settlers arrived in South Africa.
On this day in 1912 RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage.
On this day in 1998 Northern Ireland peace talks ended with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.
Awareness days from around the world
APRIL IS:
UK: Child Abuse Awareness Month, Stress Awareness Month, Pet Month, Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. INTERNATIONAL: IBS Awareness Month, Caesarean Awareness Month, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, US: Jazz Appreciation Month, Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, Move More Month.
MONDAY APRIL 4 IS:
World Rat Day (International), Carrot Day (International), Vitamin C Day (US), Walk Around Things Day (US), D.A.R.E. Day (US), Chicken Cordon Bleu Day (US).
TUESDAY APRIL 5 IS:
First Contact Day (US), Read a Road Map Day (US), Caramel Day (US), Hospital Admitting Clerks Day (US), Go for Broke Day (US), Library Workers Day (US), Deep Dish Pizza Day (US).
WEDNESDAY APRIL 6 IS:
Tartan Day (International), New Beers Eve (International), World Table Tennis Day (International), Childhelp National Day of Hope (US), Plan Your Epitaph Day (US), Caramel Popcorn Day (US), Army Day (US), Bookmobile Day (US).
THURSDAY APRIL 7 IS:
World Health Day (International), Beaver Day (International), Beer Day (US), Tell a Lie Day (US), No Housework Day (US), Making the First Move Day (US).
FRIDAY APRIL 8 IS:
Pyjamas for PanCan Day (UK), Romani Day (International), Zoo Lovers Day (US), Pygmy Hippo Day (US), Day of Silence (US), Draw a Picture of a Bird Day (US).
SATURDAY APRIL 9 IS:
Record Store Day (UK), USMR Day (International), Winston Churchill Day (US), Unicorn Day (US), Name Yourself Day (US), Cherish an Antique Day (US).
SUNDAY APRIL 10 IS:
Palm Sunday (International), Safety Pin Day (International), Siblings Day (US), Golfer’s Day (US).
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