EDUCATION - FURTHER EDUCATION
Failure of work tuition
The Times
07/11/2008
An OFSTED report has concluded that while the Train to Gain initiative, aimed at improving literacy and numeracy skills in the workforce, has benefited some staff, it has failed to boost the skills of those most in need of help.
Inspectors target weak colleges
BBC Education News
04/11/2008
Poor-performing colleges are to be inspected more often as the education watchdog, Ofsted, clamps down on those considered satisfactory or inadequate.
Reskill the economy
The Guardian
11/11/2008
As the recession bites, low earners will need to train for new jobs - and theyll need tax cuts to help them to do it.
Skills council plan attacked
Financial Times
04/11/2008
Digby Jones, a Government business ambassador and former trade and investment minister, has criticised plans to abolish the Learning and Skills Council arguing its replacement, local authorities, will be politically motivated rather than business driven.
Train to Gain ad campaign will signpost skills training for businesses
DIUS Press Release
10/11/2008
A high-profile Government advertising campaign kicks off today to promote the benefits of training to businesses, particularly during tougher economic times.
EDUCATION - HIGHER EDUCATION
Academics argue for record pay rise
The Guardian
10/11/2008
Members of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) want to see an 8%, or inflation (retail price index) plus 5% pay rise for academics next year.
Academics balk at spying on students to nail migrant scams
The Guardian
10/11/2008
Universities are being asked to set up surveillance units to monitor the movements of international students in a government-led crackdown on bogus student immigration scams, academics say.
Ministers mull how universities could rescue economy
The Guardian
07/11/2008
Senior officials at the English funding council, Hefce, and vice-chancellors group Universities UK are in talks with ministers as to what role universities can play in helping the UK ride out the economic downturn.
Rich donors target universities
Financial Times
06/11/2008
Rich donors are more likely to give to universities than any other good cause, the Million Pound Donors Report from Coutts, the private bank, will say today.
UK still good place for overseas students
The Guardian
10/11/2008
British Council denies Obama effect and new visa laws could put students off
Universities face degree revolution
The Observer
09/11/2008
John Denham is starting a review of funding this week, ahead of next years decision on whether to raise the £3,000 cap on student tuition fees. Traditional university degrees may be radically overhauled, with thousands more students studying part-time, employers funding degrees and universities forced to reveal what benefit they actually give to students. The government is also considering a US-style system in which dropouts could use the credits for courses they had done if they wanted to resume education later.
EDUCATION - SCHOOLS
Academy expansion under threat
The Guardian
05/11/2008
Government plans to expand the number of academies to 400 are under threat from a series of legal challenges brought by parents.
Annual report September 2007 - August 2008
Office of the Schools Adjudicator
03/11/2008
Copies of the Office of the School Adjudicators annual report 2007/08 which includes the results of compliance review of the schools admissions code.
http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/RMS_upload/ACF7347.pdf
Independents face giving more charity
The Times Educational Supplement
07/11/2008
As private schools in Scotland fail public benefit tests, those in England could follow suit unless more bursaries are offered.
Jailing parents raises number of truants
Daily Telegraph
06/11/2008
Government figures reveal that truancy levels are rising despite an increase in the number of parents receiving criminal records because their child fails to attend school. The figures show that the number of parents found guilty under the Education Act 2002 of failing to secure a childs regular attendance without reasonable justification rose by two thirds between 2002 and 2006 to 4,771.
School Admissions Consultation 2008 - Limited Extension
DCSF
11/11/2008
A Department for Children, Schools and Families consultation seeks views on whether the period of transitional arrangements for partially selective schools, as described in paragraph 2.24 of the revised draft School Admissions Code, should be extended to 2010; and be widened to cover the cross-sibling rule.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultatio nId=1582
