EDUCATION
50 heads attack Conservative education plans
Guardian
14/04/2010
Letter to the Guardian accuses Tories of 'naive educational tourism' for basing strategy on Swedish and US models.
Big three parties united in message on pay restraint
THES
15/04/2010
Union alarm as Labour and Lib Dems argue for caps while Tories mull wage freeze.
HEFCE’s days numbered if Lib Dems triumph
THES
14/04/2010
Manifesto targets ‘wasteful quango’ for the chop, announces phased abolition of tuition fees and promises end to 50 per cent participation target.
Liberal Democrats' class size call
BBC News
14/04/2010
The Liberal Democrats have said they would aim to cut class sizes in England if they were in power.
New Labour manifesto promises to reform both state and the markets
Guardian
13/04/2010
Gordon Brown offers 'a realistic and radical road to renewal' but comes under immediate attack for lack of VAT pledge.
Tories promise more university places and more freedom
THES
13/04/2010
Conservative Party’s 2010 general election manifesto also pledges to delay the REF and to consider the Browne review ‘carefully’
EDUCATION - FURTHER EDUCATION
157's benefits brief
TES
09/04/2010
The benefits of a college education for 14- to 16-year-olds are set out in a new paper from the 157 Group of leading colleges. “Expanding choice: college pathways for 14 to 16-year-olds” contains case studies of diverse groups of young people, all of whom benefited from full- or part- time study at college.
Call to limit college bosses' pay
BBC News
09/04/2010
College principals' pay should be capped, a union is arguing, as thousands of jobs in the further education sector are at risk.
Students take pride of place in 16-19 framework
TES
09/04/2010
Students have been placed at the heart of 16-19 education and training by the new National Commissioning Framework (NCF).
EDUCATION - HIGHER EDUCATION
How to deal with copying?
Independent
15/04/2010
It may seem counter-intuitive but postgraduates are more likely to commit plagiarism than undergraduates, according to information obtained by The Independent under the Freedom of Information Act.
Scientists cleared of malpractice in UEA's hacked emails inquiry
Guardian
14/04/2010
Researchers 'dedicated if slightly disorganised', but basic science was fair, finds inquiry commissioned by university
Student charters
THES
08/04/2010
Universities will have to set out agreed minimum standards for teaching hours, lecturers' performance and accommodation in new "student charters" announced on 1 April. The charters, unveiled by higher education minister David Lammy, will clarify legitimate grounds for student complaints to universities or the Office of the Independent Adjudicator.
Student consultation is a gimmick
Guardian
08/04/2010
Evaluation questionnaires will not raise standards in universities – but students will soon be able to vote with their feet.
UK universities' income up by 8%
BBC News
14/04/2010
The total income for universities in the UK rose by £2bn over the course of a year, official statistics show.
University applications up 16.5%
BBC News
14/04/2010
The latest figures on university applications in the UK show a substantial increase - but at a lower rate than earlier in the year.
EDUCATION - SCHOOLS
Ed Balls drops key education reforms
BBC News
07/04/2010
Schools Secretary Ed Balls has dropped key reforms, including compulsory sex education for 15-year-olds, after failing to win Conservative support. The reforms are being shelved to push the Children, Schools and Families Bill through parliament before it is dissolved before the general election.
Schools face £500k fine for data lapses
TES
09/04/2010
Schools have been warned to check procedures for protecting pupil data after the information watchdog was given powers to issue fines of up to £500,000.
