Last updated 22/03/2006
SCHOOLS
Blair to defend key schools plan
BBC News - 16/03/2006
Tony Blair is set to defend his controversial school reform plans for England after relying on Tory votes to get a controversial Bill through. MPs voted by 458 votes to 115 in favour of plans to give schools more control over admissions and budgets.
Faith schools 'are not divisive'
BBC News - 14/03/2006
Claims that faith schools cherry-pick the brightest pupils are to be rejected by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Headteachers cold-shoulder trusts scheme
The Guardian - 14/03/2006
The Government's controversial education reforms have failed to win the backing of headteachers, with just a handful of schools showing any interest in becoming self-governing trusts, according to a document obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
Mother loses school race claim
The Guardian - 20/03/2006
A Muslim mother who accused a fee-paying Christian school of racial abuse today lost her claim for damages.
Mother's truancy conviction wrong
BBC News - 15/03/2006
A mother found guilty of failing to ensure her son attended school, despite trying physically to drag him there, has had her conviction quashed. The woman was convicted last year by Liverpool magistrates using the Education Act 1996. A High Court judge ruled it should have been down to the prosecution to prove she had failed to secure his attendance at his Liverpool school.
School wins Muslim dress appeal
BBC News - 22/03/2006
A school which was told it unlawfully excluded a Muslim pupil for wearing a traditional gown has won its appeal at the House of Lords.
FURTHER EDUCATION
Bill 'to cause post-16 confusion'
BBC News - 17/03/2006
The Government's Education Bill is a "recipe for confusion on post-16 choice", according to college leaders. The Association of Colleges says the Bill gives local authorities the power to approve new sixth forms - without the responsibility for running them.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Concern over new student housing codes
The Guardian - 17/03/2006
New codes to improve rundown university accommodation have been criticised by the National Union of Students amid fears that the tougher standards will not be adopted.
Inquiry into Sussex chemistry course closure
The Guardian - 16/03/2006
The Vice-chancellor of the University of Sussex is to be called before a Commons committee inquiry to justify his controversial decision to axe chemistry from the university.
Sussex chemistry wins stay of execution
The Guardian - 20/03/2006
The ruling body of the University of Sussex has postponed a decision on whether to close the chemistry department, pending the outcome of an inquiry into the reasons behind the move.
'Lancaster six' lose appeal
The Guardian - 17/03/2006
Six protesters found guilty of trespassing after a demonstration at Lancaster University today lost their appeal and were fined an extra £300 each.
Leeds seeks to silence 'racist' lecturer
The Guardian - 16/03/2006
Leeds University has moved to silence a lecturer who aired controversial views on race following protests from students. The university management has now paved the way for possible legal action against Dr Ellis by asking him to clarify his views on its policy on equality and diversity. In the meantime, he has been asked to refrain from public comment.
London Met 'threatening independence of student union'
The Guardian - 15/03/2006
The students' union at London Metropolitan protested today against plans by the university to end its autonomy. The university said it was seeking to make the union more democratic and accountable to students. The union said management was trying to neuter its role as a watchdog and prevent it from challenging the university in the interests of students.
New scheme to provide £7.5 million of extra funding for Higher Education: Government to match funding to increase private donations
DfES - 16/03/2006
A three-year scheme to promote voluntary giving to higher education providers from private donors has been launched today to help generate additional income for the sector.
One in three students cheat, survey finds
The Guardian - 16/03/2006
One-third of students admit to cheating at university by copying ideas from books or the internet, according to the results of a survey published today.
Students could resort to law for breach of contract
THES - 17/03/2006
Students may seek to sue universities if their educational or employment prospects are damaged due to the academic boycott of exams and other assessment.
Students offered 100% mortgages to become landlords
The Guardian - 15/03/2006
Students are being encouraged to become landlords by taking out a mortgage under a new scheme launched this week. Undergraduates can take out 100 per cent mortgages on properties worth up to £250,000 then rent out spare rooms to cover the repayments.
Tell pupils copying is theft, says professor
The Times - 15/03/2006
Children should be taught at school that copying work is theft unless they attribute quotations and ideas, according to a leading adviser on combating plagiarism. Jean Underwood of Nottingham Trent University said that the “culture of academic dishonesty” must be stamped out.
Union condemns Scots university fees
The Scotsman - 15/03/2006
Student leaders have attacked a planned hike in Scottish university fees for those coming to study from the rest of the UK.
Warwick signs deal with IBM
Financial Times - 20/03/2006
Warwick Business School in the UK has signed a £5 million agreement with IBM Europe, Middle East and Africa to offer its MBA via e-learning over the next three years.
