EDUCATION - FURTHER EDUCATION
College building programme crashed due to management failure
The Guardian
01/04/2009
Sir Andrew Fosters report blames the Learning and Skills Council for the avoidable crisis.
Colleges and schools told they will not get funding for every sixth-former
The Guardian
31/03/2009
Government should meet shortfall in funds to teach 16- to 18-year-olds, say angry teachers.
Foster report into capital programme - AoC comment
AoC News Release
01/04/2009
This report reveals mismanagement on an astonishing scale. The fact that so many Colleges were encouraged to increase the size of their building programmes is particularly galling.
Foster report says colleges crisis was avoidable
Building
01/04/2009
Former audit commission chair says problems could have been mitigated if actions were taken earlier and recommends measures to help recover confidence in £2.3bn programme
Hundreds of colleges refused permission to take overseas students
The Guardian
31/03/2009
More than 400 colleges and schools have been refused permission to take overseas students under immigration controls designed to weed out bogus institutions and students.
Local regeneration falls victim to building freeze
The Times Educational Supplement
03/04/2009
The fallout from the stalled college expansion and refurbishment programme will have a big impact on communities.
Response to Foster Recommendations
LSC News Release
01/04/2009
Chair Chris Banks, who commissioned the report, says: The LSC accepts the criticisms that have been directed at it. I am taking immediate action to strengthen the governance of the capital programme and other key elements of the LSCs work. I have commissioned a review of our governance arrangements and this will be presented to National Council on 22 April.
EDUCATION - HIGHER EDUCATION
New Government office established to reinforce success of life sciences industry
DIUS Press Release
03/04/2009
A new Office for Life Sciences (OLS) has been created to address key issues affecting the pharmaceutical, medical biotech and devices sectors.
QAA publishes information bulletin on pilot study appraising the HE strategies of FE colleges
QAA
06/04/2009
QAA has published an information bulletin analysing the findings of a pilot study into the higher education strategies of Further Education Colleges and partnerships.
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications
/infobulletins/HESTRAT_09.pdf
Rise in university gender pay gap
The Guardian
30/03/2009
New figures show an increase in the disparity between male and female professors salaries.
Take concern over degree standards seriously, universities warned
The Guardian
02/04/2009
New head of Hefce says vice-chancellors must make strong case in return for support from taxpayers
EDUCATION - SCHOOLS
Cyberbullying affects 1 in 10 teachers
The Guardian
04/04/2009
The survey of 539 school and college staff comes ahead of new government guidelines on tackling it. 6% said they were forced to take sick leave because of resulting illness or stress.
MPs investigate whether allegations of teacher misconduct are on increase
The Guardian
02/04/2009
A cross-party committee is to look into whether accusations against teachers from parents and pupils are growing.
Schools could seek judicial review in bid to stop IT procurement bullying
The Times Educational Supplement
03/04/2009
They claim they are forced to buy one-size-fits-all system in order to access governments building programme cash.
Whistleblower hotline pilot
Ofsted Press Release
01/04/2009
Ofsted is piloting a whistleblower hotline. The hotline will enable council employees and those working with young children to report concerns about practices and procedures for the safeguarding of children and young people.
