Steve Besley's Education Eye: week ending 19 June 2026
- Welcome to Education Eye, a regular update detailing the policies and stories happening in UK education, compiled by Steve Besley.
- Welcome to Education Eye, a regular update detailing the policies and stories happening in UK education, compiled by Steve Besley.
What's happened this week?
Important stories across the board:
The government announcement about online restrictions for young people has obviously been the big story for much of this week.
In other news, the summer exams season drew to a close, the government set out eight benchmarks for its enrichment framework for schools and colleges, and figures on applications and offers for school entry this September were published.
Elsewhere, the Education Secretary added her thanks as part of this year’s ‘National Thank A Teacher Day.’ “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my wonderful teachers, and I want to thank them for that.”
In FE, the AoC reported on employer engagement across FE and published a Digital Transformation Roadmap for colleges. And in HE, the Student Loans Company published data on student loans for the last financial year.
But back to the top story of the week.
“This is not something I do lightly.”
With these words the PM announced his much trailed Australia+ policy of a ban on social media for under 16 yr olds along with “world-leading action on gaming services and livestreaming platform.”
Presented as part of an enlightened package of support for young people including a pledge to invest in ‘music, culture, art, sport’ to help steer young people away from screens and towards more propitious pastimes, the PM said it was ‘a big moment for our country’ and would ‘change the conversations that parents have.’
Details were set out in a speech by the Technology Secretary later in the day.
She explained that regulations would be drawn up in the coming weeks and a vote expected by the end of the year with a ban for under 16s covering “platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X” expected early next year.
Further details would come next month and are likely include “overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for 16- and 17-year-olds” along with restrictions on chatbots ‘offering sexually explicit content to under-18s’ and ‘more effective age assurance measures.’
Ofcom, meanwhile, is charged with working up ‘highly effective’ age verification criteria by October.
Much of all this was welcomed, especially by bereaved and campaigning parents but not everyone is onboard.
The co-founder of Mumsnet reported that 83% of Mumsnet users supported the ban but reckoned equally that ‘more responsibility needed to be taken by tech firms profiting from our children.’
The Chair of the Education Committee said she was “pleased that the government has today taken bold action to protect children from the epidemic of harmful content that they encounter on social media,” and added that she was encouraged that the government is considering measures for older teenagers.
The children’s commissioner saw it as a ‘positive’ step and went on to call for harmful online services to be banned for under 18s”.
Education unions were cautiously supportive but as the NAHT explained, “ it will need to be supported by a much wider package of measures.”
The influential Molly Rose Foundation maintained that “an Australian-style social media ban risks giving parents a false sense of safety and will fail to offer the protection that children and parents deserve.”
Like many, it’s called for tech companies to be taken to task. ‘A polluter pays model.’
Others have pointed to weaknesses in the favoured Australian model, tech companies not playing ball and whether as one of Labour’s youngest MPs said, ‘it will simpler create more problems.’
Politico had a useful summary of winners and losers from the ban.
Winners appear to include the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, age verification providers, and tech lawyers.
And likely losers? Digital rights activists, Ofcom, and perhaps some young people, including the one widely reported in the media as saying without her phone she’ll just have to stare at the walls instead.
On to other news this week.
In schools, the government set out the eight benchmarks to be used as non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges in their provision of enrichment activities.
As the NAHT explained, the intent is fine and many institutions already strive, if not succeed, in offering in the words one benchmark, ‘a broad and well-rounded enrichment offer.’
Data crunchers SchoolDash for instance had an interesting analysis this week of just what many schools already do offer.
Using a data search of secondary school websites in England, it found “a median of 13 and a mean of just over 15 different kinds of club were offered per school.”
These varied by region and school type but typically included the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE), football, reading, drama and art activities.
The issue of course as the NAHT explained is time and money.
“If the government wants to build on that offer, it must ensure schools have the necessary resources and funding to do so. Crucially, that cannot rely on an already stretched school workforce. Local partnerships and access to external providers will be key.”
The government has already announced a £130m+ package for enrichment activities.
In other news, a number of reports this week have focused on disadvantage and attainment gaps. Three in particular.
First, Teach First reported on some of the many challenges around disadvantage as it examined commissioned data from the Education Policy Institute.
Broadly a quarter of persistently disadvantaged pupils “is not progressing to a qualification or apprenticeship at age 16.”
There are strong regional differences with the South West faring badly.
A number of schools are working to buck the trend and Teach First is promising to send more of its trainees to work in schools with the largest attainment gaps.
Second, the Sutton Trust looked more widely at social mobility and the lack of opportunity facing many groups across the country.
To take just one example on private tutoring. “Black African, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, Pakistani, and Indian FSM pupils are all 4 to 5 times more likely to receive private tutoring than FSM White British pupils.”
As the Chief Exec of the Sutton Trust explained, “We need to start by doubling down on focusing education support in the most left-behind communities, targeting those most in need.”
And third, the Centre for Young Lives and partners reported on their work with schools and young people on inclusion, arguing among other things that “we must become much better at intervening early.”
The report highlights six key themes that emerged from the conversations around the country including the importance of joined up local systems and aligning accountability with inclusion.
Finally, with the weather hotting up again this week, the i-newspaper reported that pupils could lose up to 12 days of learning a year as a result of overheated and poorly ventilated classrooms.
The recent Climate Change Committee report recommended indoor learning environments should be limited to 16° C to 25° C.
A number of charities are calling for an overhaul of building regulations.
On to FE where the AoC and UfI VocTech Trust set out a digital transformation roadmap to help colleges as they increasingly implement digital and AI based activities and skills.
Built around five key pillars including leadership, culture and governance, and student experience, the roadmap offers a structured model of “three progressive stages of digital maturity: foundation, transform and elevate.”
“Our aim,” the CEO of the AoC said, “is that colleges will be at the cutting edge of technology use in the way education is delivered, in how organisations operate and in what skills are required in the workforce.”
Also this week, the AoC published its latest employer engagement survey highlighting the importance of close working relationships between colleges and employers.
“The survey found that, on average, 1,585 students per college require work experience each year, and 71% of colleges expected at least 80% of Level 3 learners to undertake placements. The scale of demand, therefore, is substantial.”
And, securing placements and support is not always easy.
“Employer engagement to support T Level delivery is very challenging in digital, creative and design (57%) and construction, engineering and manufacturing (45%.)”
Other sectors also reported ‘challenges’ with the Survey calling ultimately for a funded ‘overarching national employer engagement strategy.’
And the City and Guilds story rumbled on with the (new) owners reporting that the internal investigation was now complete.
But with a further inquiry and likely court challenge coming, that may not be the end of it.
In HE, should there be minimum entry requirements for UK university applicants?
It’s been a question that’s been under debate for sometime with The Guardian reporting this week that the government was looking at a pass in English GCSE as a possible minimum requirement for a student loan.
The Times Higher found very mixed reactions in a comment piece this week.
In other HE news this week, the Student Loans Co published a batch of data on students loans across UK nations for last year.
“The total higher education loan balance has increased from £54.4 billion in financial year 2013-14, to £294.6 billion by 2025-26,” according to the opening remarks for England.
Elsewhere, the Russell Group called for a new Youth Experience Scheme as part of a UK-EU ‘reset.’ The barrier for many is the cost of extending home fee status to EU students. £580m according to the Group.
And a blog on the HEPI site looked at how AI was affecting how prospective students searched for universities.
“Universities that describe their courses clearly and use the same message across authoritative platforms are easier for AI systems to include,” it pointed out.
Links to most of these stories below, starting with the week’s headlines.
The top headlines of the week:
- ’Social media ban a ‘defining’ moment for our children’ (Monday)
- ‘Steep fall in teacher pension payments highly likely’ (Tuesday)
- ‘Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans’ (Wednesday)
- ‘Spare school places hit record high’ (Thursday)
- ‘Education Committee launches new Inquiry on school reforms’ (Friday)
The government announcement about online restrictions for young people has obviously been the big story for much of this week.
In other news, the summer exams season drew to a close, the government set out eight benchmarks for its enrichment framework for schools and colleges, and figures on applications and offers for school entry this September were published.
Elsewhere, the Education Secretary added her thanks as part of this year’s ‘National Thank A Teacher Day.’ “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my wonderful teachers, and I want to thank them for that.”
In FE, the AoC reported on employer engagement across FE and published a Digital Transformation Roadmap for colleges. And in HE, the Student Loans Company published data on student loans for the last financial year.
But back to the top story of the week.
“This is not something I do lightly.”
With these words the PM announced his much trailed Australia+ policy of a ban on social media for under 16 yr olds along with “world-leading action on gaming services and livestreaming platform.”
Presented as part of an enlightened package of support for young people including a pledge to invest in ‘music, culture, art, sport’ to help steer young people away from screens and towards more propitious pastimes, the PM said it was ‘a big moment for our country’ and would ‘change the conversations that parents have.’
Details were set out in a speech by the Technology Secretary later in the day.
She explained that regulations would be drawn up in the coming weeks and a vote expected by the end of the year with a ban for under 16s covering “platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X” expected early next year.
Further details would come next month and are likely include “overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for 16- and 17-year-olds” along with restrictions on chatbots ‘offering sexually explicit content to under-18s’ and ‘more effective age assurance measures.’
Ofcom, meanwhile, is charged with working up ‘highly effective’ age verification criteria by October.
Much of all this was welcomed, especially by bereaved and campaigning parents but not everyone is onboard.
The co-founder of Mumsnet reported that 83% of Mumsnet users supported the ban but reckoned equally that ‘more responsibility needed to be taken by tech firms profiting from our children.’
The Chair of the Education Committee said she was “pleased that the government has today taken bold action to protect children from the epidemic of harmful content that they encounter on social media,” and added that she was encouraged that the government is considering measures for older teenagers.
The children’s commissioner saw it as a ‘positive’ step and went on to call for harmful online services to be banned for under 18s”.
Education unions were cautiously supportive but as the NAHT explained, “ it will need to be supported by a much wider package of measures.”
The influential Molly Rose Foundation maintained that “an Australian-style social media ban risks giving parents a false sense of safety and will fail to offer the protection that children and parents deserve.”
Like many, it’s called for tech companies to be taken to task. ‘A polluter pays model.’
Others have pointed to weaknesses in the favoured Australian model, tech companies not playing ball and whether as one of Labour’s youngest MPs said, ‘it will simpler create more problems.’
Politico had a useful summary of winners and losers from the ban.
Winners appear to include the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, age verification providers, and tech lawyers.
And likely losers? Digital rights activists, Ofcom, and perhaps some young people, including the one widely reported in the media as saying without her phone she’ll just have to stare at the walls instead.
On to other news this week.
In schools, the government set out the eight benchmarks to be used as non-statutory guidance for schools and colleges in their provision of enrichment activities.
As the NAHT explained, the intent is fine and many institutions already strive, if not succeed, in offering in the words one benchmark, ‘a broad and well-rounded enrichment offer.’
Data crunchers SchoolDash for instance had an interesting analysis this week of just what many schools already do offer.
Using a data search of secondary school websites in England, it found “a median of 13 and a mean of just over 15 different kinds of club were offered per school.”
These varied by region and school type but typically included the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE), football, reading, drama and art activities.
The issue of course as the NAHT explained is time and money.
“If the government wants to build on that offer, it must ensure schools have the necessary resources and funding to do so. Crucially, that cannot rely on an already stretched school workforce. Local partnerships and access to external providers will be key.”
The government has already announced a £130m+ package for enrichment activities.
In other news, a number of reports this week have focused on disadvantage and attainment gaps. Three in particular.
First, Teach First reported on some of the many challenges around disadvantage as it examined commissioned data from the Education Policy Institute.
Broadly a quarter of persistently disadvantaged pupils “is not progressing to a qualification or apprenticeship at age 16.”
There are strong regional differences with the South West faring badly.
A number of schools are working to buck the trend and Teach First is promising to send more of its trainees to work in schools with the largest attainment gaps.
Second, the Sutton Trust looked more widely at social mobility and the lack of opportunity facing many groups across the country.
To take just one example on private tutoring. “Black African, Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, Pakistani, and Indian FSM pupils are all 4 to 5 times more likely to receive private tutoring than FSM White British pupils.”
As the Chief Exec of the Sutton Trust explained, “We need to start by doubling down on focusing education support in the most left-behind communities, targeting those most in need.”
And third, the Centre for Young Lives and partners reported on their work with schools and young people on inclusion, arguing among other things that “we must become much better at intervening early.”
The report highlights six key themes that emerged from the conversations around the country including the importance of joined up local systems and aligning accountability with inclusion.
Finally, with the weather hotting up again this week, the i-newspaper reported that pupils could lose up to 12 days of learning a year as a result of overheated and poorly ventilated classrooms.
The recent Climate Change Committee report recommended indoor learning environments should be limited to 16° C to 25° C.
A number of charities are calling for an overhaul of building regulations.
On to FE where the AoC and UfI VocTech Trust set out a digital transformation roadmap to help colleges as they increasingly implement digital and AI based activities and skills.
Built around five key pillars including leadership, culture and governance, and student experience, the roadmap offers a structured model of “three progressive stages of digital maturity: foundation, transform and elevate.”
“Our aim,” the CEO of the AoC said, “is that colleges will be at the cutting edge of technology use in the way education is delivered, in how organisations operate and in what skills are required in the workforce.”
Also this week, the AoC published its latest employer engagement survey highlighting the importance of close working relationships between colleges and employers.
“The survey found that, on average, 1,585 students per college require work experience each year, and 71% of colleges expected at least 80% of Level 3 learners to undertake placements. The scale of demand, therefore, is substantial.”
And, securing placements and support is not always easy.
“Employer engagement to support T Level delivery is very challenging in digital, creative and design (57%) and construction, engineering and manufacturing (45%.)”
Other sectors also reported ‘challenges’ with the Survey calling ultimately for a funded ‘overarching national employer engagement strategy.’
And the City and Guilds story rumbled on with the (new) owners reporting that the internal investigation was now complete.
But with a further inquiry and likely court challenge coming, that may not be the end of it.
In HE, should there be minimum entry requirements for UK university applicants?
It’s been a question that’s been under debate for sometime with The Guardian reporting this week that the government was looking at a pass in English GCSE as a possible minimum requirement for a student loan.
The Times Higher found very mixed reactions in a comment piece this week.
In other HE news this week, the Student Loans Co published a batch of data on students loans across UK nations for last year.
“The total higher education loan balance has increased from £54.4 billion in financial year 2013-14, to £294.6 billion by 2025-26,” according to the opening remarks for England.
Elsewhere, the Russell Group called for a new Youth Experience Scheme as part of a UK-EU ‘reset.’ The barrier for many is the cost of extending home fee status to EU students. £580m according to the Group.
And a blog on the HEPI site looked at how AI was affecting how prospective students searched for universities.
“Universities that describe their courses clearly and use the same message across authoritative platforms are easier for AI systems to include,” it pointed out.
Links to most of these stories below, starting with the week’s headlines.
The top headlines of the week:
- ’Social media ban a ‘defining’ moment for our children’ (Monday)
- ‘Steep fall in teacher pension payments highly likely’ (Tuesday)
- ‘Students could be required to pass GCSE English to access university loans’ (Wednesday)
- ‘Spare school places hit record high’ (Thursday)
- ‘Education Committee launches new Inquiry on school reforms’ (Friday)
General:
- Social media ban. Sir Keir Starmer set out government proposals for online restrictions for children and young people including ‘world-leading action on gaming services and livestreaming platforms’ set to come in from next spring.
- Tech Secretary Statement. The Technology Secretary outlined the details behind the PM’s announcement on a social media ban for under 16s in a Statement to MPs, listing the platforms to be banned by early next year and indicating that further and more far reaching details would be announced next month.
- Regulator role. The government promised Ofcom funding and support as it tasked it with assuring ‘highly effective age assurance’ systems for use with the government’s proposed new restrictions on young people’s use of social media, and to report back with options in October.
- Labour Market Overview. The ONS published the latest initial figures on the UK labour market for the last quarter with commentators describing things as ‘cooling’ and/or ‘flat’, with unemployment slightly down and real pay growth up, but with vacancies down and a notable fall in starter jobs things continuing to look bleak for many young people.
- Going for Growth. The British Chambers of Commerce called on the government to consider applying a Growth Delivery Test before announcing any new economic policy, arguing that we have the tools for growth, including skills, tech and business ambition, but need to convert these into action.
- Manufacturing Outlook. The Manufacturers’ Organisation published their latest Economic Outlook, pointing to growing concerns about rising production costs particularly around energy leading many manufacturers to delay investment and even move abroad, calling as a result for expanded energy support.
- British Council. The NAO published a report into the British Council which suffered ‘major commercial losses’ during the pandemic and which is facing a challenging turnaround plan intended to see the existing repayment loan paid off in 15 years but requiring staff cuts, savings and efficiencies in the meantime.
- Early Years. The Education Policy Institute announced a new funded Observatory on the early years, aiming to bring together and spark debate about policy developments, data and best practice for under-fives in England.
- Social media ban. Sir Keir Starmer set out government proposals for online restrictions for children and young people including ‘world-leading action on gaming services and livestreaming platforms’ set to come in from next spring.
- Tech Secretary Statement. The Technology Secretary outlined the details behind the PM’s announcement on a social media ban for under 16s in a Statement to MPs, listing the platforms to be banned by early next year and indicating that further and more far reaching details would be announced next month.
- Regulator role. The government promised Ofcom funding and support as it tasked it with assuring ‘highly effective age assurance’ systems for use with the government’s proposed new restrictions on young people’s use of social media, and to report back with options in October.
- Labour Market Overview. The ONS published the latest initial figures on the UK labour market for the last quarter with commentators describing things as ‘cooling’ and/or ‘flat’, with unemployment slightly down and real pay growth up, but with vacancies down and a notable fall in starter jobs things continuing to look bleak for many young people.
- Going for Growth. The British Chambers of Commerce called on the government to consider applying a Growth Delivery Test before announcing any new economic policy, arguing that we have the tools for growth, including skills, tech and business ambition, but need to convert these into action.
- Manufacturing Outlook. The Manufacturers’ Organisation published their latest Economic Outlook, pointing to growing concerns about rising production costs particularly around energy leading many manufacturers to delay investment and even move abroad, calling as a result for expanded energy support.
- British Council. The NAO published a report into the British Council which suffered ‘major commercial losses’ during the pandemic and which is facing a challenging turnaround plan intended to see the existing repayment loan paid off in 15 years but requiring staff cuts, savings and efficiencies in the meantime.
- Early Years. The Education Policy Institute announced a new funded Observatory on the early years, aiming to bring together and spark debate about policy developments, data and best practice for under-fives in England.
More specifically ...
Schools:
- Thanks Teacher. The Education Secretary used this year’s ‘National Thank A Teacher Day’ to thank teachers across the board, as well as to run through things the government has been doing/and hopes to be doing for education.
- Education Inquiry. The Education Committee launched a call for evidence as it announced a new Inquiry to examine aspects of school reform in light of February’s Schools White Paper, looking at issues such as pupil absence, disadvantage and attainment and funding.
- Enrichment. The government outlined the eight evidence-based benchmarks along with resources, case studies and planning tools intended to support a framework for enrichment activities in schools and colleges in England.
- After school activities. Data crunchers SchoolDash reported on the extent of extracurricular and enrichment activity currently going on in secondary schools in England, finding just over 15 different kinds of club offered per school though with much depending on school type, region and capacity.
- At a disadvantage. Teach First called for targeted reform and funding for disadvantaged pupils as it reported on latest data showing persistently disadvantaged pupils typically 22 months of learning behind their non disadvantaged peers by the time they reach GCSE with notable regional differences.
- Opportunity Gaps. The Sutton Trust looked at how challenges around opportunity and social mobility affected different groups and regions, suggesting these vary considerably by region, gender and ethnicity, calling as a result for ‘place-based missions’ to tackle local challenges and conditions.
- Serious about Inclusion. The Centre for Young Lives and Mission 44 brought together in a new report insights gained from schools and young people as they examined issues around inclusion, highlighting six key themes including partnership, early intervention and the importance of place.
- Absence and attainment. FFT Education Datalab examined KS2 attainment, absence and context across primary school, using 2025 data to suggest that they are closely interlinked with much dependent on pupil prior attainment and needs.
- Boys from low-income families. The Institute for Government reported on early years provision for boys from low-income families, highlighting first many of the challenges they face including poor housing, poor services and financial pressures before setting out five principles to support effective provision in the early years.
- Thanks Teacher. The Education Secretary used this year’s ‘National Thank A Teacher Day’ to thank teachers across the board, as well as to run through things the government has been doing/and hopes to be doing for education.
- Education Inquiry. The Education Committee launched a call for evidence as it announced a new Inquiry to examine aspects of school reform in light of February’s Schools White Paper, looking at issues such as pupil absence, disadvantage and attainment and funding.
- Enrichment. The government outlined the eight evidence-based benchmarks along with resources, case studies and planning tools intended to support a framework for enrichment activities in schools and colleges in England.
- After school activities. Data crunchers SchoolDash reported on the extent of extracurricular and enrichment activity currently going on in secondary schools in England, finding just over 15 different kinds of club offered per school though with much depending on school type, region and capacity.
- At a disadvantage. Teach First called for targeted reform and funding for disadvantaged pupils as it reported on latest data showing persistently disadvantaged pupils typically 22 months of learning behind their non disadvantaged peers by the time they reach GCSE with notable regional differences.
- Opportunity Gaps. The Sutton Trust looked at how challenges around opportunity and social mobility affected different groups and regions, suggesting these vary considerably by region, gender and ethnicity, calling as a result for ‘place-based missions’ to tackle local challenges and conditions.
- Serious about Inclusion. The Centre for Young Lives and Mission 44 brought together in a new report insights gained from schools and young people as they examined issues around inclusion, highlighting six key themes including partnership, early intervention and the importance of place.
- Absence and attainment. FFT Education Datalab examined KS2 attainment, absence and context across primary school, using 2025 data to suggest that they are closely interlinked with much dependent on pupil prior attainment and needs.
- Boys from low-income families. The Institute for Government reported on early years provision for boys from low-income families, highlighting first many of the challenges they face including poor housing, poor services and financial pressures before setting out five principles to support effective provision in the early years.
FE/Skills:
- Digital Roadmap. The AoC and UfI VocTech Trust set out a structured roadmap with three ‘progressive stages’ towards digital maturity to help colleges move forward embedding digital and AI across their work.
- Employer engagement. The AoC called for a funded national employer engagement strategy as it published its latest employer engagement survey showing the importance of collaboration on areas like work experience, internships and governance but also some of the challenges involved notably around capability, capacity and cost.
- Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. The Learning and Work Institute reported on the first year of Central London Forward’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, delivered across 12 London Boroughs and focused on ‘care-experienced’ young people likely to be NEET, pointing to many effective features and recommending its potential for rolling out to other Trailblazer areas.
- City and Guilds. PeopleCert confirmed that the internal investigation into internal payments and bonuses in City and Guilds had now concluded, declaring that the payments and salary increases in question had not been formally authorised and that steps were being taken to recover the money.
- Digital Roadmap. The AoC and UfI VocTech Trust set out a structured roadmap with three ‘progressive stages’ towards digital maturity to help colleges move forward embedding digital and AI across their work.
- Employer engagement. The AoC called for a funded national employer engagement strategy as it published its latest employer engagement survey showing the importance of collaboration on areas like work experience, internships and governance but also some of the challenges involved notably around capability, capacity and cost.
- Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. The Learning and Work Institute reported on the first year of Central London Forward’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer, delivered across 12 London Boroughs and focused on ‘care-experienced’ young people likely to be NEET, pointing to many effective features and recommending its potential for rolling out to other Trailblazer areas.
- City and Guilds. PeopleCert confirmed that the internal investigation into internal payments and bonuses in City and Guilds had now concluded, declaring that the payments and salary increases in question had not been formally authorised and that steps were being taken to recover the money.
HE:
- Minimum requirements. The Times Higher looked into the current debate about UK university applicants needing at least a pass in English GCSE to qualify for a student loan, finding divergent views across sector bodies with the government refusing to speculate ahead of any announcement on the 2026/7 teaching grant.
- Time to wake up. Policy commentator Jonathan Simons responded to recent reports about the challenges facing UKHE by calling on the sector to recognise that with few advocates for it in parliament, it needs ‘to come up with solutions for today’s environment’ such as in the importance of high-level skills.
- Student loans. The Student Loans Co published data on student loans across the UK nations for the last financial year, showing undergraduate lending in England last year up 3.5% to £20.5bn with an indicative £4.2bn repaid by HE borrowers via HMRC.
- Minimum requirements. The Times Higher looked into the current debate about UK university applicants needing at least a pass in English GCSE to qualify for a student loan, finding divergent views across sector bodies with the government refusing to speculate ahead of any announcement on the 2026/7 teaching grant.
- Time to wake up. Policy commentator Jonathan Simons responded to recent reports about the challenges facing UKHE by calling on the sector to recognise that with few advocates for it in parliament, it needs ‘to come up with solutions for today’s environment’ such as in the importance of high-level skills.
- Student loans. The Student Loans Co published data on student loans across the UK nations for the last financial year, showing undergraduate lending in England last year up 3.5% to £20.5bn with an indicative £4.2bn repaid by HE borrowers via HMRC.
Tweets and posts of note:
- “Suggesting that the only alternative to being online for 9 hours is ‘staring at a wall’ is the best argument ever for getting kids away from screens in order to rediscover what the real world is” -@tombennett71.
- “I started at Oxford when I was 17. I got a real kick today out of imagining what it would have been like to take the bus into Oxford from Heathrow, settle in, and promptly discover that I was blocked from Facebook. The prospect is demeaning even to contemplate” -@dfkodsi.
- “AI can now generate a unique textbook for every child based on their interests, which is genuinely impressive. But interactive whiteboards were genuinely impressive, and they didn't help learning” -@daisychristo.
- “More than 300 social sciences programmes have been lost in the past year, figures show, as critics bemoan decisions made on enrolment numbers alone and warn that niche, specialist study is “losing legitimacy” in the eyes of university leaders” –@timeshighered.
- “Always good at this time of year to remind staff to stop and see the progress from first page to last. Particularly for those children who may not score in tests” -@DavidNautilus1.
- “Employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme are set to fall significantly, says minister@Jacqui_Smith1-a message that could provide some relief for schools with stretched finances” -@tes.
- “Dear parents of 16 year old teens who just finished their GCSES. They will never have another summer to do ***** all in their lives. Let them sleep” -@Scousebird.
- “A student asked me yesterday what the word was ‘when an old person stops working’? I said ‘retired?’ They said ‘oh I thought it was ‘expired’” -@Shabnamagram.
- “Why is it that when my internet isn’t working & I call my broadband service provider, their telephone recording tells me it’s quicker & easier to get help online?” -@MissAlly_01.
- “Suggesting that the only alternative to being online for 9 hours is ‘staring at a wall’ is the best argument ever for getting kids away from screens in order to rediscover what the real world is” -@tombennett71.
- “I started at Oxford when I was 17. I got a real kick today out of imagining what it would have been like to take the bus into Oxford from Heathrow, settle in, and promptly discover that I was blocked from Facebook. The prospect is demeaning even to contemplate” -@dfkodsi.
- “AI can now generate a unique textbook for every child based on their interests, which is genuinely impressive. But interactive whiteboards were genuinely impressive, and they didn't help learning” -@daisychristo.
- “More than 300 social sciences programmes have been lost in the past year, figures show, as critics bemoan decisions made on enrolment numbers alone and warn that niche, specialist study is “losing legitimacy” in the eyes of university leaders” –@timeshighered.
- “Always good at this time of year to remind staff to stop and see the progress from first page to last. Particularly for those children who may not score in tests” -@DavidNautilus1.
- “Employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme are set to fall significantly, says minister@Jacqui_Smith1-a message that could provide some relief for schools with stretched finances” -@tes.
- “Dear parents of 16 year old teens who just finished their GCSES. They will never have another summer to do ***** all in their lives. Let them sleep” -@Scousebird.
- “A student asked me yesterday what the word was ‘when an old person stops working’? I said ‘retired?’ They said ‘oh I thought it was ‘expired’” -@Shabnamagram.
- “Why is it that when my internet isn’t working & I call my broadband service provider, their telephone recording tells me it’s quicker & easier to get help online?” -@MissAlly_01.
A selection of quotes that merit attention:
- “But Government is always about choices. And it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice” – the PM announces government plans to ban social media use for under 16s.
- "I think most people believe that tech companies should also be made to make their platform safe by design and less addictive, but in the meantime while we wait for that to happen delaying social media access is a good help” – Mumsnet welcomes the PM’s announcement on social media restrictions.
- “In particular, Ofcom should consider how age assurance can meet the standard of being highly effective, while making all endeavours to avoid excluding users who are old enough to use certain platforms or features but lack the means to verify their age through passports or driving licences” – the government passes the difficult ball of age verification for its social media ban to Ofcom.
- “The truth is that in this great contest there are no spectators, we are all on the pitch. From boardrooms to IT help desks, to sofas at home, the contest is everywhere” – the head of the National Cyber Security Centre in a speech on cyber-attacks this week.
- “Restricting student loans would cut off a funding stream for those universities but it would also narrow the choices of people who really want to go to university and can’t afford it without student finance” – the Guardian offers an editorial perspective on rumours that the government could impose minimum GCSE requirements on UK university applicants.
- “Instead of retrench, retrench, retrench, why not look, as a business would do, at new opportunities? It’s just as though, in the DNA at the moment of most universities, their way of balancing the books is to cut” – David Blunkett calls in an interview with the Times Higher for universities to be more ambitious.
- “What is important, is that we do the right thing in order to rebuild trust in the organisation - PeopleCert concludes its internal investigation into payments at City and Guilds.
- “I know that the children in your classrooms today will carry your influence with them for the rest of their lives, long after they have left your care” – the Education Secretary adds her thanks on ‘National Thank A Teacher Day’ 2026.
- “But Government is always about choices. And it’s clear to me that a full ban is the right choice” – the PM announces government plans to ban social media use for under 16s.
- "I think most people believe that tech companies should also be made to make their platform safe by design and less addictive, but in the meantime while we wait for that to happen delaying social media access is a good help” – Mumsnet welcomes the PM’s announcement on social media restrictions.
- “In particular, Ofcom should consider how age assurance can meet the standard of being highly effective, while making all endeavours to avoid excluding users who are old enough to use certain platforms or features but lack the means to verify their age through passports or driving licences” – the government passes the difficult ball of age verification for its social media ban to Ofcom.
- “The truth is that in this great contest there are no spectators, we are all on the pitch. From boardrooms to IT help desks, to sofas at home, the contest is everywhere” – the head of the National Cyber Security Centre in a speech on cyber-attacks this week.
- “Restricting student loans would cut off a funding stream for those universities but it would also narrow the choices of people who really want to go to university and can’t afford it without student finance” – the Guardian offers an editorial perspective on rumours that the government could impose minimum GCSE requirements on UK university applicants.
- “Instead of retrench, retrench, retrench, why not look, as a business would do, at new opportunities? It’s just as though, in the DNA at the moment of most universities, their way of balancing the books is to cut” – David Blunkett calls in an interview with the Times Higher for universities to be more ambitious.
- “What is important, is that we do the right thing in order to rebuild trust in the organisation - PeopleCert concludes its internal investigation into payments at City and Guilds.
- “I know that the children in your classrooms today will carry your influence with them for the rest of their lives, long after they have left your care” – the Education Secretary adds her thanks on ‘National Thank A Teacher Day’ 2026.
Not-to-be-missed numbers of the week:
- 2.8%. The inflation figure for the UK in the year to May, with food prices slowing but petrol and diesel prices up according to the ONS.
- 4.9%. The unemployment figure for the UK for the period February-April this year, slightly down on the previous quarter according to latest data from the ONS.
- 3.4%. The annual growth in average earnings in the three months to April, according to latest figures from the ONS.
- 113. The number of countries that spend more on debt servicing than on education, according to UNESCO.
- 60%. The number of Europeans with at least basic digital skills, according to a report from the EU.
- 116,000. The number of replies the government received to its consultation on online safety, according to the Tech Secretary.
- 77%. The number of parents who support a ban on social media for under16s, according to YouGov.
- 61%. The number of young people in Australia still using at least one restricted platform, according to media outlets.
- 180. The number of new Youth Hubs announced to provide wraparound support for young people, according to the government.
- 1,585. The median number of FE students requiring a work experience placement per provider next year, according to a survey from the AoC.
- £2.66. The figure for free ‘school’ meals for eligible students in FE in 2026/27, according to an update from the DfE.
- 92.4% and 83.6%. The number of primary and secondary school applicants respectively who received an offer of their first preference school for this September, similar to last year according to the DfE.
- 2.8%. The inflation figure for the UK in the year to May, with food prices slowing but petrol and diesel prices up according to the ONS.
- 4.9%. The unemployment figure for the UK for the period February-April this year, slightly down on the previous quarter according to latest data from the ONS.
- 3.4%. The annual growth in average earnings in the three months to April, according to latest figures from the ONS.
- 113. The number of countries that spend more on debt servicing than on education, according to UNESCO.
- 60%. The number of Europeans with at least basic digital skills, according to a report from the EU.
- 116,000. The number of replies the government received to its consultation on online safety, according to the Tech Secretary.
- 77%. The number of parents who support a ban on social media for under16s, according to YouGov.
- 61%. The number of young people in Australia still using at least one restricted platform, according to media outlets.
- 180. The number of new Youth Hubs announced to provide wraparound support for young people, according to the government.
- 1,585. The median number of FE students requiring a work experience placement per provider next year, according to a survey from the AoC.
- £2.66. The figure for free ‘school’ meals for eligible students in FE in 2026/27, according to an update from the DfE.
- 92.4% and 83.6%. The number of primary and secondary school applicants respectively who received an offer of their first preference school for this September, similar to last year according to the DfE.
Everything else you need to know ...
What to look out for in the next couple of weeks:
- MPs Education Questions (Monday 22 June)
- AELP National Conference (Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 June)
- Education Committee Evidence Session with Ofsted (Tuesday 23 June)
- HEPI/Unite Students Webinar: Launch of the Unite Students’ 2026 Applicant Index (Wednesday 24 June)
- MPs Education Questions (Monday 22 June)
- AELP National Conference (Monday 22 – Tuesday 23 June)
- Education Committee Evidence Session with Ofsted (Tuesday 23 June)
- HEPI/Unite Students Webinar: Launch of the Unite Students’ 2026 Applicant Index (Wednesday 24 June)
Other stories
- Here’s the news. “2026 represents a significant milestone,” wrote the Reuters Institute this week as it published its latest Digital News Report. “For the first time, social media and video network consumption is now ahead of other news sources as the most widely used source of news globally (54% of all audiences.)” This shift is by now widely recognised but this latest Report has some interesting perspectives. For a start the use of AI chatbots for news is growing quickly although less so in the UK. Online video consumption of news is increasing along with news-focused individual creators or influencers. Interest in news is falling and trust in news is ‘at an all-time low’ although perhaps reassuringly, “trust for many established news providers appears to be defying this trend.” A link to the Reuters Report is here.
- Counting the cash. According to the World Economic Forum, the World Cup could create more ‘than $40 billion in global GDP.’ Part of the reason is that “sport is one of the top ten industries driving growth by 2030.” Other top industries driving global growth, according to a recent WEF Economic Report, include IT services, advanced manufacturing, health and healthcare, and accommodation and leisure. On the World Cup specifically, FIFA has calculated it’s likely to create 823,474 FTE jobs globally, largely around accommodation and transport and generate considerable social impact. 3.64 for every dollar invested to be precise. At this early stage it’s difficult to say how much health and happiness the beautiful game has brought households. Much perhaps depends on the results. A link to the details is here.
You can sign up here to receive Education Eye straight to your inbox on publication.
If you find my policy updates useful, please consider donating something, however small, to help support its publication. EdCentral is a not-for-profit social enterprise and relies on donations to continue its work.
- Here’s the news. “2026 represents a significant milestone,” wrote the Reuters Institute this week as it published its latest Digital News Report. “For the first time, social media and video network consumption is now ahead of other news sources as the most widely used source of news globally (54% of all audiences.)” This shift is by now widely recognised but this latest Report has some interesting perspectives. For a start the use of AI chatbots for news is growing quickly although less so in the UK. Online video consumption of news is increasing along with news-focused individual creators or influencers. Interest in news is falling and trust in news is ‘at an all-time low’ although perhaps reassuringly, “trust for many established news providers appears to be defying this trend.” A link to the Reuters Report is here.
- Counting the cash. According to the World Economic Forum, the World Cup could create more ‘than $40 billion in global GDP.’ Part of the reason is that “sport is one of the top ten industries driving growth by 2030.” Other top industries driving global growth, according to a recent WEF Economic Report, include IT services, advanced manufacturing, health and healthcare, and accommodation and leisure. On the World Cup specifically, FIFA has calculated it’s likely to create 823,474 FTE jobs globally, largely around accommodation and transport and generate considerable social impact. 3.64 for every dollar invested to be precise. At this early stage it’s difficult to say how much health and happiness the beautiful game has brought households. Much perhaps depends on the results. A link to the details is here.
You can sign up here to receive Education Eye straight to your inbox on publication.
If you find my policy updates useful, please consider donating something, however small, to help support its publication. EdCentral is a not-for-profit social enterprise and relies on donations to continue its work.
Steve Besley
Disclaimer: Education Eye is intended to help colleagues keep up to date with national developments in the education sector. Information is correct at the time of writing and is offered in good faith. No liability is accepted by Steve Besley or EdCentral for decisions made on the basis of any information provided.
Disclaimer: Education Eye is intended to help colleagues keep up to date with national developments in the education sector. Information is correct at the time of writing and is offered in good faith. No liability is accepted by Steve Besley or EdCentral for decisions made on the basis of any information provided.
