Project leadership. The government confirmed that the Oxford Saïd Business School had been awarded the contract to deliver the next phase of the Major Projects Leadership Academy, providing senior government officials with features like digital training to help deliver major projects more efficiently.
Life Sciences. The government invited companies to submit expressions of interest (by the end of the month) for Wave 3 of Phase 1 of its Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund where £60m has been made available to support the manufacture of human medicines, medical diagnostics and MedTech products.
National Manufacturing. The Minister for Industry addressed the Make UK National Manufacturing dinner where he outlined the government’s support for the sector, highlighted latest developments and announced the launch later this year of a new manufacturing investment prospectus.
SCHOOLS
Ukrainian pupils. The Education Secretary wrote to schools and local authorities thanking them for their efforts in helping Ukrainian families settle in, and outlining the curriculum resources and guidance available to help with Ukrainian pupils in school.
National Tutoring participation. The government confirmed plans to publish data from this autumn that would be shared with Ofsted and others on how schools in England were adopting the National Tutoring Programme.
Exam stress. The charity Young Minds published guides for both pupils and parents on coping with revision and exam stress, with a range of supportive tips offered in both cases.
FE/SKILLS
Local Skills Improvement Plans. The government invited employer groups wishing to become lead players in drawing up local skills improvement plans to submit expressions of interest by 6 June 2022, listing four application criteria and promising statutory guidance and funding to follow.
Investing in skills. The Learning and Work Institute with NOCN called in a new report for a much more ambitious approach to skills training, arguing that employer investment in training had fallen in recent years and calling for ‘a new long-term plan for skills and growth’ that would include a reformed apprenticeship levels and a new Skills Tax Credit.
Cyber skills. The government published its latest report into UK cyber skills gaps and shortages, pointing to a continuing shortage of skilled staff and of training, with the workforce gap worsening over recent years.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Student complaints. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator published its annual report for 2021 showing a 6% rise on the previous year in the number of student complaints lodged, many related to the pandemic and involving service issues such as teaching and facilities.
Value for money. The Russell Group published its response to the government’s consultation on HE financing and value for money, calling for the development of a new funding formula within the next 2/3 years, a rethink around minimum entry requirements, and further work around improving admissions arrangements.
In our view. Universities UK published its response to the government’s consultation on a Lifelong Loan Entitlement broadly welcoming its potential and the opportunity to create a strong modular system but stressing the need for it to be available for all learners through a range of routes.
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MONDAY 09 MAY On this day in 1536 Anne Boleyn, charged with incest and adultery, was taken to the Tower of London. On this day in 1997 the Labour leader Tony Blair was elected prime minister. On this day in 2011 Osama bin Laden was killed in a covert operation by US special forces in Pakistan.
TUESDAY 10 MAY On this day in 1494 Columbus discovered Jamaica. On this day in 1945 Rangoon, capital of Burma, was captured from the Japanese by British forces under Lord Mountbatten. On this day in 1968 surgeons performed the first heart transplant in Britain.
WEDNESDAY 11 MAY On this day in 1904 America took over the construction of the Panama Canal. On this day in 1926 the General Strike started. On this day in 1932 the American gangster Al Capone went to prison for tax evasion.
THURSDAY 12 MAY On this day in 1881 Louis Pasteur tested his inoculations against anthrax on an ox, several cows and 25 sheep. On this day in 1905 fingerprint evidence was used for the first time in Britain to secure a murder conviction. On this day in 1981 having refused food for 66 days, the hunger striker Bobby Sands died in the Maze prison in Northern Ireland, aged 27.
FRIDAY 13 MAY On this day in 1940 the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, went into use. On this day in 1889 the Prince of Wales opened the Eiffel Tower in Paris. On this day in 1954 Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes.
SATURDAY 14 MAY On this day in 1663 the first of a series of playhouses known as the Theatre Royal opened in Drury Lane. On this day in 1727 Jews were expelled from Ukraine by Empress Catherine I of Russia. On this day in 1765 HMS Victory, which was to be Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, was launched at Chatham Dockyard.
SUNDAY 15 MAY On this day in 1660 the monarchy was restored and Charles II was proclaimed King. On this day in 1790 France began to go metric when its National Assembly approved Talleyrand’s proposal for a unified system of weights and measures. On this day in 1945 VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) was celebrated throughout Britain (with the exception of the Channel Islands, liberated the following day).
Awareness days from around the world
MAY IS:
UK Mental Health Month, Foster Care Fortnight Monday 9 May (to Sunday 22 May) Smile Month (Monday May 16 to Wednesday June 15), Tourettes Awareness Month, Walking Month, Share a Story Month, Big Asthma Bake Sale, Make May Purple/Action on Stroke Month, Local and Community History Month.
INTERNATIONAL
Maternal Mental Health Month, May Measure Month, Skin Cancer Awareness Month.
US Bladder Cancer Awareness Month, Zombie Awareness Month, Clean Air Month, Teen Self Esteem Month, Better Speech and Language Month, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Month, Lupus Awareness Month, Military Appreciation Month, Deck Safety Month, Bike Month, Lyme Disease Awareness Month, Get Caught Reading Month, Hamburger Month, Golf Month, Photography Month, Barbecue Month.
THIS WEEK IS: Food Allergy Awareness Week (UK), Mental Health Awareness Week (UK – Monday May 09 to Sunday May 15), ME Awareness Week (UK), Coeliac UK Awareness Week (UK), Doughnut Week (UK), Red Cross Week/Bucket Shake 2022 (International), Lawyer Wellbeing Week (US – from Monday May 02 to Sunday May 08), Nurses Week (US – from Friday May 06 to Thursday May 12).
MONDAY MAY 9 Europe Day (International), Lost Sock Memorial Day (US), Moscato Day (US).
TUESDAY MAY 10 World Lupus Day (International), Mother Ocean Day (International), Stay Up All Night Night (US), One Day Without Shoes Day (US).
WEDNESDAY MAY 11 Somerset Day (UK), Receptionists Day (UK), Eat What You Want Day (International) World Ego Awareness Day (International), Numeracy Day (US), Twilight Zone Day (US), Root Canal Appreciation Day (US), School Nurse Day (US), Donate a Day’s Wages to Charity Day (US), Third Shift Workers Day (US).
THURSDAY MAY 12 ME Awareness Day (International), Nurses Day (International), World Topiary Day (International), World Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (International), Limerick Day (US), Odometer Day (US), Nutty Fudge Day (US).
FRIDAY MAY 13 Hummus Day (International), Fintastic Friday (International), World Cocktail Day (International), Top Gun Day (US), Blame Someone Else Day (US), Shades Day (US), Apple Pie Day (US), Public Gardens Day (US), Leprechaun Day (US), Frog Jumping Day (US).
SATURDAY MAY 14 Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day (UK), World Fair Trade Day (International), World Buckfast Day (International), World Bellydance Day (International), Train Day (US), Windmill Day (US), Dance Like a Chicken Day (US).
SUNDAY MAY 15 National Children's Day (UK), World Facilities Management Day (International), Chocolate Chip Day (US), Bring Flowers to Someone Day (US), Nylon Stocking Day (US), Straw Hat Day (US).
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