Greetings!

In this captivating edition of our UK Education and Career Newsletter, we embark on an insightful exploration of the pressing issues and dynamic developments shaping Britain's educational landscape and professional horizons.

Beyond the realm of schools, we explore the dwindling landscape of care apprenticeships and the impact of funding fluctuations on this vital sector.

As always, our dedicated team has meticulously curated a comprehensive collection of thought-provoking articles, and expert perspectives, ensuring that you remain at the forefront of the discourse shaping the future of education and career pathways in the UK.

Embrace this opportunity to expand your horizons, challenge conventional wisdom, and unlock the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Together, we will embark on an exhilarating journey of knowledge and discovery, propelling our collective aspirations towards excellence in education and career pursuits.

Thank you for your unwavering trust and for joining us on this captivating expedition. Prepare to be inspired, informed, and empowered as we navigate the dynamic realms of learning and professional development.

SCHOOLS

Outcry as Hundreds of West Sussex Pupils Miss Out on School Preferences

Around 200 pupils in West Sussex have been allocated schools they didn't choose in their top 3 preferences, with some facing 17-mile commutes. The council blames rising births and demand for mixed-sex schools, but a parent group plans to complain to the ombudsman over the "completely justified" situation.

Schools Provide Basic Needs as Child Poverty Devastates Families

Headteachers report schools are having to provide beds, showers, clean uniforms, and support for exhausted students living in squalid conditions without enough beds or heating as desperate child poverty levels spiral in England. They warn the situation is overwhelming schools.

Headteacher Slams "Unacceptable class='table table-striped'" Lunch Quality from Caterer

A Southampton headteacher vented anger over the poor quality of school lunches served by the caterer Chartwells, questioning "How difficult is it to bake a potato?" He shared photos of unappetising meals, stating meetings failed to improve the situation. Chartwells apologised, citing operational challenges and staff shortages.

Call for Mandatory Young Carers Lead in All Schools

The Carers Trust is urging the government to make it compulsory for all schools to appoint a designated young carer to lead to coordinate support. This recommendation is part of the charity's push for a young carers covenant across schools, businesses, and organisations to better assist young carers. The proposed leads would also be required in colleges and universities.

FURTHER EDUCATION

Benefit Rules Blocking Young Carers' Education Spark Outcry

Over 200 organisations are urging ministers to exempt young carers aged 16-24 from rules denying them carer's allowance if studying over 21 hours weekly. The "unfair" rule prevents many from pursuing further education like A-levels and degrees while caring for relatives, limiting life prospects.

Funding Boost Fails to Revive Dwindling Care Apprenticeships

Despite a £1,000 funding increase last year, the number of new adult care apprentices has plummeted, with 10,500 fewer starts in 2022/23 compared to 2018/19. Nearly 200 training providers ceased delivering care apprenticeships since 2019, including major providers Qube Learning and Quest Vocational Training.

Minister Hints at Intervention Over Controversial T-Level Fee Hikes

The skills minister said the Department for Education will consider intervening if controversial plans for "adaptive pricing" on T Level fees, which would raise costs for colleges with lower student numbers, impact college budgets. The move aims to make T Levels more commercially attractive to awarding organisations.

Merseyside Chamber's Collapse Leaves Apprentices Adrift and Skills Plan in Limbo

St Helen's Chamber, a training provider and employer body, has gone into administration due to funding cuts, losses from its skills business, and falling property values. This leaves over 200 apprentices uncertain about their future and the Liverpool City Region's local skills improvement plan in disarray after the chamber's role was revoked.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Top UK University for Cybersecurity MBA Programmes

A recent study found Lancaster University ranks among the best institutions globally for specialised MBA programmes in cybersecurity, followed by American University and Baylor University. Lancaster's cybersecurity MBA tuition costs £36,000 and offers hybrid delivery modes.

The University of Sheffield has received funding to establish a new Centre for Doctoral Training that will equip students with digital skillsets crucial for advancing UK manufacturing sectors like sustainability, speed, quality and flexibility.

Academic Raises Alarm Over Chinese Students' Influence on UK Universities

An associate professor at UCL claims academic freedoms are at risk as staff cave to demands from Chinese students seeking to influence British academia. She says a module was removed after complaints over a slide on slavery in China, citing attempts by nationalist Chinese students to curtail discussions.

SKILLS & TRAINING

Virtual Reality Births Aid Paramedic Training

Queen Margaret University is giving paramedic students a realistic virtual reality experience of attending a home birth. Using VR headsets, they can interact with a computer-generated expectant mother, ask questions, and use medical equipment, better preparing them for real-life emergencies that are rare to encounter during training placements.

DfE Accused of "Missed Opportunity" as Teaching Hubs Lose CPD Role

The Department for Education has faced criticism for a "missed opportunity" after it emerged Teaching School Hubs will no longer provide additional professional development from autumn, instead focusing solely on initial teacher training, qualifications and appropriate body services. Accusations of curtailing local intelligence were levelled.

DfE Mysteriously Pauses Search for 'Tackling Antisemitism' Training Provider

The Department for Education has indefinitely extended the bidding deadline for its "tackling antisemitism in education" contract, with a new "arbitrary" closing date of March 7, 2030. The move mysteriously pauses the search for a firm to conduct anti-Semitism training in colleges, with no explanation provided for the delay.

CAREER

Century-Old Newcastle Construction Firm Collapses Amid Industry Turmoil

Surgo Construction, a historic Newcastle firm trading for over a century, has ceased operations with 46 job losses after falling into administration. The collapse comes amidst challenging conditions in the construction sector, following the failures of Tolent and Metnor Construction last year, as rising distress levels grip North East businesses.

Rescue Deal Saves Caravan Firms but Costs 16 Jobs

A rescue deal has safeguarded the future of Golden Castle Caravans and part of Robinsons Caravans after they collapsed into administration. While the Golden Castle and Worksop sites were sold, protecting jobs, the Chesterfield Robinsons site closed with 16 redundancies, as the group struggled with low sales amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Alarming Drop in Scottish Childminders Amid Childcare Crisis

Figures show the number of childminders in Scotland has plummeted from over 6,200 in 2012 to just 3,225 last December. Labour warns of eroding vital childcare services, while the Scottish government vows efforts to recruit 1,000 new childminders to address the concerning decline.

POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Sunak Vows 20,000 More Apprenticeships With New Reforms

Rishi Sunak is promising up to 20,000 new apprenticeships by fully funding training for under-21s at small firms from April, investing £60m, allowing more sharing of unspent apprenticeship levy funds, and cutting red tape for small businesses.

Children's Commissioner Slams Lack of School Transport Reform in Wales

The Children's Commissioner criticised the Welsh government's decision not to reform school transport rules, calling existing distance limits for free travel entitlement "too high." She warned this could impact school attendance and vowed to potentially legally challenge the "totally inadequate" response that "let children down."

EVENTS

Call for Papers: International Conference on Education & Management 2024

The 378th International Conference on Education & Management (ICEM) invites paper submissions until December 15, 2023. The conference, held on April 5-6, 2024, in London, at Clayton Crown Hotel, UK, offers delegates a platform to present research on various learning topics. Accepted papers may be published in IAARHIES' indexed journals, including the Journal of Innovative Research in Education & Management.

Newcastle Careers Fair Brings Employers and Job Seekers Together

The UK Careers Fair returns to Newcastle on March 22nd, offering job seekers a chance to meet local and national employers face-to-face and apply directly for hundreds of vacancies across various sectors. Hosted at St James' Park, the fair welcomes attendees of all backgrounds, experience levels, and interests to explore potential employers and career paths.

HALL OF FAME THIS WEEK

Britain's Most Decorated Female Olympian Dame Laura Kenny Retires From Cycling 

Dame Laura Kenny, Britain's most successful female Olympian with 5 Olympic golds and 7 World titles, has announced her retirement from cycling at age 31. The decision comes after giving birth to her second child, citing the sacrifices of leaving her family as a key factor despite initially targeting Paris 2024.