Last updated 07/03/2006
SCHOOLS
Exam regulator publishes report to stop coursework cheats
The Guardian - 03/03/2006
Teachers are strongly urged to ensure that their pupils' coursework is genuinely their own, as part of a fresh crackdown on cheating in the run-up to this year's exam season.
Legislation gives teachers legal right to discipline pupils
Independent - 01/03/2006
The headlines may have all been stolen by the political row over Tony Blair's plan to set up a network of independently run "trust" schools working in partnership with industry, faith groups or universities - but yesterday's Education Bill covers far more ground than just that. There are, for instance, wide-ranging measures aimed at dealing with indiscipline in schools.
Tackling racist bullying in schools
DfES - 02/03/2006
The Department for Education and Skills today continued its drive to tackle bullying in schools with the publication of new guidelines for schools on tackling racist bullying.
The Education and Inspections Bill 2006
DfES - 03/03/2006
Please see the following link for the DfES Education Bill site: here
Unions downbeat on revised bill
BBC News - 28/02/2006
The revised Education Bill has had a downbeat response from teaching unions, who say it fails to address concerns. The National Union of Teachers described the Bill to reform England's schools as a "missed opportunity".
Tough new sanctions and reforms: Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill published
DfES - 01/03/2006
Tough sanctions including penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to £5,000 will be extended to a wider group of employers as part of new legislation to establish a centralised vetting system for people working with children and vulnerable adults, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly announced today.
FURTHER EDUCATION
All colleges urged to join eMandate and improve their estates
LSC - 06/03/2006
The LSC called today for all further education colleges to sign up to eMandate, an innovative online database that helps colleges to manage their estates more cost effectively. eMandate was established three years ago and currently around 40 per cent of colleges benefit from using it. From today, all colleges in England will have to participate in the project in order to receive capital grant support from the LSC.
Update on the funding of colleges, 16-19 and adult education
Association of Colleges - February 2006
This briefing provides a commentary from the Association of Colleges on the funding plans for colleges for 2006-07 and their implications for the education of 16-19 year olds and adults.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Blow to academies programme as Brunel shelves plan for school
The Guardian - 02/03/2006
Brunel University has shelved plans to build an academy for 16- to 19-year-olds on its campus, dealing a blow to the Government's plans for a bigger role for the private sector in education.
Funding deal 'not enough' to pay for extra student places
The Guardian - 02/03/2006
Universities in England today shared £6.7 billion funding from the government for the coming year, but the extra 26,000 places to be funded are only about half the number needed to hit the Government's target of 50% of young people in higher education by 2010.
Knowledge network to give UK bioscience industry a competitive edge
DTI - 01/03/2006
Industry and Regions Minister, Alun Michael, has unveiled a new knowledge partnership to increase the competitiveness of the UK bioscience industry. The partnership between business, research and technology organisations, and universities aims to give UK bioscience an edge as global markets become ever more competitive.
Students condemn lecturers' pay strike
The Guardian - 02/03/2006
Universities have appealed to lecturers to call off industrial action over pay as a student union broke ranks and condemned the strike and boycott of exam marking.
Lecturers' pay strike to go ahead
BBC News - 05/03/2006
Lecturers' unions are going ahead with a UK-wide pay strike on Tuesday, followed by an indefinite boycott of student assessment. The unions, Natfhe and the AUT, say universities are getting £3.4 billion extra from top-up fees and other funding.
Loan rules may bar thousands from study
THES - 03/03/2006
Tens of thousands of mature students could be forced to pay their £3,000 top-up fees upfront this year because the Government has blocked their access to state grants or loans.
OU nets access funding windfall
THES - 03/03/2006
The Open University will receive £29 million this year to recruit disadvantaged students - nearly four times as much cash as any other university, funding chiefs announced this week.
University laboratories grow business culture
The Times - 02/03/2006
Bunsen burners and microscopes may not be the most obvious tools for budding entrepreneurs but, in a world where innovation can be a key to commercial success, Britain's university laboratories are nurturing some of the country's fastest-growing businesses.
