Last updated 06/12/2007
EDUCATION - FURTHER EDUCATION
Colleges soon big enough to go out on their own
The Guardian
04/12/2007
The latest education bill will allow further education to develop courses and awards, as universities do.
Colleges face up to extremists - Principals are asked to draw up safety plans as staff seek advice on recognising terror groups
The Times Educational Supplement
30/11/2007
With some suspects in recent terror cases having studied in FE, ministers want principals to look at new ways of ensuring campuses are safe and welcoming to all, at the same time as not allowing fanaticism to spread.
The challenge for colleges - to set the agenda
The Guardian
27/11/2007
With colleges hoping to see more self-regulation there will be more pressure on good colleges to help others that are struggling.
EDUCATION - HIGHER EDUCATION
Axing second degree funding will make us more competitive, says Rammell
The Guardian
28/11/2007
Higher education minister Bill Rammell was forced to defend the government's decision to redistribute £100m funding to people with no qualifications again at his first session with the new Commons' Innovation, Universities and Skills select committee.
Better shape up
The Guardian
04/12/2007
Universities must work with employers to give students and employees the skills they need.
Big guns train their sights on universities
The Guardian
04/12/2007
Arms research is a lucrative business, which is why universities are doing so much of it. But is it ethical?
Challenge extreme views in debate, says Rammell
The Guardian
28/11/2007
Universities must challenge violent extremism through open debate but accept that security requires limits to personal freedom, Bill Rammell, the higher education minister has said.
Cost of student juries
The Times Higher Education Supplement
30/11/2007
Student juries will cost the taxpayer £20,000, it has emerged.
Joint negotiation deal
The Times Higher Education Supplement
30/11/2007
Employers and unions have agreed single-table higher education pay bargaining.
King heads new environmental institute
The Guardian
29/11/2007
The government's chief scientific advisor, Prof Sir David King, is to establish an institute at Oxford University aimed at finding private sector solutions to environmental problems.
Women miss out on university places
The Guardian
04/12/2007
Older women and people from minority ethnic groups are least likely to secure university places, according to research from UCAS.
EDUCATION - SCHOOLS
A very Chinese revolution
The Guardian
04/12/2007
China's education system is undergoing a radical overhaul almost overnight. Can we learn anything from their methods?
Child database system postponed
BBC Education News
27/11/2007
Ministers are postponing a new database on every child in England, pending a security review and changes to the system including access controls. The database came out of the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie and is designed to make it easier to co-ordinate the work of different child protection agencies.
Ofsted chief slates £1.5bn flagship policy
The Birmingham Post
30/11/2007
In a speech in Birmingham to the annual conference of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, which runs the programme, Christine Gilbert warned the extra cash was "no guarantee" of a better education for children.
Oxbridge snub to government on academies
The Guardian
03/12/2007
Oxford and Cambridge universities have turned down ministerial attempts to persuade them to adopt a city academy.
Private pupils grab top courses
BBC Education News
27/11/2007
Independent school pupils have increased their hold on places at the UK's 20 most prestigious universities.
Raising the participation age 'has potential economic benefits of £2.4bn per year group'
DCSF Press Release
29/11/2007
Independently verified research also published today estimates the economic benefits of raising the participation age to be around £2.4bn per year group over the course of their lifetime. This is because staying on longer improves the skills and employability of young people and raises their earning potential.
State pupils shun science
The Observer
02/12/2007
Pupils from comprehensive schools are shunning science A-Levels, according to new research which shows those from independent and grammar schools are far more likely to study chemistry, physics and biology.
Top independent schools urged to teach the diploma - Knight
DCSF Press Release
03/12/2007
Schools Minister Jim Knight said today he wants to see top public schools teaching the new Diplomas in future.
