Blogs

Welcome to this week's round up, designed to bring you the latest developments in STEM education and broader educational news from the past week. This summary includes insights into policies, practices, and innovations that could shape the future of teaching and learning in the UK. We hope you find this informative and engaging as you reflect on the changes and consider their impact on your classrooms.

BBC News - Education

1. Unis Told to Manage Own Budgets After Call for Bailouts

   • Universities have been advised to manage their budgets without relying on government bailouts, emphasizing financial self-sufficiency amidst economic pressures.
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2. Better Skills Training Will Cut Migration, Vows PM

   • The Prime Minister has pledged to enhance skills training as a strategy to reduce migration and fill skill gaps within the country.
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3. School Holidays the 'Loneliest Time' for Carers

   • An investigation reveals the challenges faced by carers during school holidays, highlighting a need for better support systems.
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4. Pupils Build Electric Go-Karts in Climate Lessons

   • In an inspiring STEM initiative, pupils are constructing electric go-karts as part of their lessons on climate change, blending hands-on learning with environmental education.
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Sky News - Education

1. Labour Not Ruling Out Uni Closures

   • Labour's education minister has not dismissed the possibility of university closures as part of restructuring efforts to improve higher education sustainability.
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2. Record High Primary School Exclusions

   • Primary school exclusions have reached a record high, raising concerns about the impact on young children's education and development.
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3. National Register of 'Ghost Children' Missing from Education to Be Created

   • The government plans to establish a national register to track children missing from education, aiming to address the issue of so-called 'ghost children.'
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Schools Week

1. What is Happening with Teacher Pay?

   • A detailed analysis of the ongoing negotiations and decisions regarding teacher pay scales and their implications for the profession.
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2. DfE Revises Up Pupils Forecast – But Numbers Still Due to Plummet

   • Despite a recent upward revision, pupil numbers are still projected to decline significantly, prompting discussions on the future of school funding and resource allocation.
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3. Ofsted Wins High Court Battle with School Over ‘Inadequate’ Report

   • Ofsted has secured a legal victory in a high-profile case concerning an 'inadequate' rating, reinforcing the importance of maintaining inspection standards.
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4. EEF Boss Professor Becky Francis to Lead Labour Curriculum Review

   • Professor Becky Francis from the Education Endowment Foundation will head Labour's curriculum review, aiming to enhance educational outcomes through evidence-based practices.
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FE Week

1. EPI’s Blueprint for a 16-19 Student Premium

   • The Education Policy Institute has proposed a new student premium for 16-19 education, designed to support disadvantaged students and improve equity in post-16 education.
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2. Mayor Intervenes as Judicial Review Puts College’s £22m Rebuild at Risk

   • A judicial review threatens a major college rebuilding project, with the mayor stepping in to safeguard the £22 million investment.
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3. Skills England: DfE Non-Exec Appointed Interim Chair

   • The Department for Education has appointed an interim chair for Skills England, highlighting the ongoing efforts to reform vocational and technical education.
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4. Labour’s Curriculum and Qualifications Review to Include 16-19

   • Labour's education policy review will encompass curriculum and qualification frameworks for students aged 16-19, aiming to modernize and enhance the post-16 education landscape.
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Tes Magazine

1. DfE Curriculum and Assessment Review: 7 Key Details

   • A summary of the key points from the Department for Education's recent curriculum and assessment review, with implications for teaching practices.
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2. Teacher Pay Scales 2023-24: How Much Will Teachers Get?

   • An overview of the new teacher pay scales for the upcoming academic year, providing clarity on salary expectations.
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3. Extend Pupil Premium to Sixth Forms, Labour Told

   • Calls for extending the pupil premium to sixth forms have been made to Labour, with arguments for increased support for disadvantaged students in further education.
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4. GCSEs 2024: Ofqual Changes Grading Standards

   • Ofqual has announced changes to grading standards for certain GCSE subjects, aiming to address discrepancies and improve fairness in assessments.
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Reflections

As educators, these stories highlight several critical areas for reflection and action:

1. Financial Management in Education

   • Consider the implications of financial self-sufficiency for educational institutions and how schools can better manage their resources to avoid reliance on external bailouts.

2. Skills Training and Curriculum Development

   • Reflect on how enhanced skills training programs can be integrated into the curriculum to address current and future job market needs, reducing dependency on migration.

3. Support for Carers and Excluded Pupils

   • Explore ways to support carers during school holidays and address the rising exclusion rates, particularly among younger pupils.

4. Vocational Education and Apprenticeships

   • Evaluate the current state of vocational education and apprenticeships, and how reforms can better prepare students for the workforce.

5. Teacher Pay and Professional Development

   • Consider the impacts of the new teacher pay scales and ongoing professional development opportunities to attract and retain talented educators.

We hope these insights and reflections provide valuable food for thought as you continue to shape the future of education in the UK.