Last updated 10/07/2007
EDUCATION
Balls takes charge of new ministry for children
The Guardian
29/06/2007
Ed Balls, the prime minister's closest political colleague who only became an MP two years ago, was yesterday awarded a new super-ministry for children which has annexed policy areas from several Whitehall departments.
Brown divides education ministry
The Guardian
28/06/2007
The changing shape of the Education ministry under Gordon Brown's premiership is emerging with Ed Balls appointed as secretary of state for children, schools and families and John Denham as innovation, universities and skills secretary.
Cameron reshuffles shadow team
BBC Education News
03/07/2007
Conservative leader David Cameron has reshuffled his shadow cabinet, bringing in more women and younger MPs.
Education sector reacts to Brown shakeup
The Guardian
28/06/2007
University heads are calling for more money, and schools for a less "market orientated" education system as the new prime minister confirms his ministerial team.
It takes two to educate
The Guardian
03/07/2007
Two new departments - and neither with 'education' in the title. But who's in charge of what? And will it be good news or bad for schools, colleges and universities?
EDUCATION - FURTHER EDUCATION
Diplomas pose basic skills hurdle
BBC Education News
02/07/2007
The Diplomas that are central to government plans for 14-19 learning are said to be at risk because teenagers cannot manage the basic skills.
Financial services training academy launched
Financial Times
02/07/2007
The National Skills Academy for Financial Services was launched in Leeds on 29/06/2007. The scheme aims to preserve the UK's position as a financial centre and counter employer complaints that low and middle-level recruits are hard to find, insufficiently skilled and lacking understanding of the industry.
Licensed to skill - new standards supremo has the power to sack
The Times Educational Supplement
29/06/2007
Lecturers will be forced to pay for membership of a professional body with the power to ban them from teaching if they break its code of conduct. From September new teaching staff will be obliged to register with the Institute for Learning. Existing staff must join by April 2008 and membership will, in effect, be a licence to practise as a lecturer.
New survey shows green colleges leading public sector
AOC Press Release
21/06/2007
Waterless urinals, generators powered by cow slurry, walls insulated with denim jeans and cars that run on chip fat are among the innovative green features identified by a new survey of colleges. The survey was undertaken to mark the launch of the Association of Colleges 'Green Colleges' initiative, which aims to showcase best practice and help them become as green as possible.
EDUCATION - HIGHER EDUCATION
F1 champion seeking funding for UK motorsport university
Auto Industry
27/06/2007
John Surtees, the 1964 Formula One World Drivers Champion and multiple World Motorcycle Racing Champion, is seeking £3 million of British government funding for the establishment of a UK university dedicated to motorsport. Surtees plans to base the university at the site of the Buckmore Park karting track in Kent which will be extended to accommodate the new buildings.
Government defends Bologna university initiative
The Guardian
03/07/2007
The government admitted today that it must do more to address confusion about the Bologna university initiative to allay fears that the process is intended to "harmonise" European education systems.
EDUCATION - SCHOOLS
Brown plan to help universities aid city academies
The Guardian
21/06/2007
Gordon Brown has unveiled proposals to improve partnerships between schools and higher education institutions, including allowing universities to sponsor academies at a discounted rate.
Heads warned of legal challenges after ruling on subject clashes
The Times Educational Supplement
29/06/2007
Schools across England could face legal challenges from pupils who have not been given the chance to study subjects such as languages, humanities or sciences, "a head's leader" said this week.
Only 340 remaining comprehensives
BBC Education News
03/07/2007
By the beginning of next term, there will only be 340 old-style comprehensive schools left in England.
Over a hundred new schools get specialist status £23m boost to create more SEN specialist schools
DCSF
03/07/2007
29 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Schools have achieved specialist status, further funding will expand the number of SEN specialist schools in the programme over the next three years. This will mean around 150 schools becoming specialist SEN schools.
Whiteboard projector safety fears
BBC Education News
29/06/2007
Interactive whiteboards have been heralded as devices that will enhance education and be a major plank in the government's drive for new technology in schools. But the BBC has learnt that very little attention has been paid to a potential threat to the eyesight of teachers and children.
