08-04-2024
Welcome to the
latest edition of our UK Education and Career Newsletter, where we explore the
ever-changing landscapes of learning and professional growth. In this issue, we
bring you a curated selection of the latest news, insights, and opportunities
that are shaping the future of Britain's educational and career horizons.
Our dedicated
team has meticulously compiled a diverse range of articles, expert analyses,
and thought-provoking perspectives, ensuring that you remain at the forefront
of the discourse that is driving the evolution of education and career pathways
in the UK.
Embrace this
opportunity to broaden your horizons, challenge conventional thinking, and
unlock the vast potential that lies within you. Together, we will embark on an
exhilarating journey of discovery, growth, and professional development,
propelling our collective aspirations towards excellence.
We are grateful
for your unwavering trust and for accompanying us on this enlightening
expedition. Prepare to be inspired, informed, and empowered as we navigate the
dynamic realms of education and career pursuits in the United Kingdom.
Nursery
Finds New Home After Devastating Fire
After a large
fire destroyed Wibli Wobli Nursery in Newport, it secured new premises shared
with the city's Hindu temple. The owner hopes to have the nursery up and
running at the new location by early summer, with a capacity for nearly 70
children.
Small
Specialist School for Mental Health Issues to Open
A new
independent secondary school catering to pupils with anxiety, depression and
eating disorders is set to open in Preston city centre. With a maximum of 10
students and 4 staff on-site at any time, the state-funded school will offer a
"diverse range of academic subjects" to those unable to attend
mainstream education.
Victory for
Rural School Campaigners as Mothballing Plans Halted
In a
"landmark decision", campaigners fighting to save rural Dalry
Secondary School have won a reprieve, with councillors voting unanimously to
immediately halt the temporary closure of any secondary school in the region.
However, uncertainty remains over how long this suspension will last.
Teachers
Ballot on Strike Over Alleged Bullying at Lincoln School
The National
Education Union is balloting members on potential strikes at Sir Francis Hill
Community School in Lincoln, citing allegations of bullying, unprofessional
conduct, and poor leadership. Several staff resignations have been reported at
the primary school, prompting the union's call for potential industrial action.
Government
Boost for Apprenticeships Welcomed by Training Provider
An Oxford-based training provider,
Ignite Training, has welcomed the government's £60m funding pool to cover full
apprenticeship training costs for small businesses hiring apprentices aged
under 21. The initiative is expected to create 20,000 new apprenticeship
opportunities nationwide.
New Teacher
Degree Apprenticeship Programme Set to Transform Teacher Training
The innovative Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA) blends high-quality
training, employment, and academic attainment, set to launch in autumn 2025
through collaboration between the Department for Education, Institute for
Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and employer-led groups, revolutionising
teacher education.
SEND
Colleges Warn Against English and Maths Resit Reforms
A survey by the
National Association of Specialist Colleges found that 91% of SEND colleges
condemn the government's increased English and maths hours, calling it an
"unwieldy demand" that could increase dropouts and stress for
vulnerable learners, impacting the development of vital skills.
Soaring Exam
Access Requests Strain College Resources
Colleges report
a surge in students requesting special exam accommodations like extra time and
rest breaks, straining staff and space. The increase is linked to mental health
issues from the pandemic. Some colleges must temporarily close during exams to accommodate
the high volume of requests.
Scottish
University Opens Voluntary Severance Amid Financial Pressures
Robert Gordon
University (RGU) in Aberdeen has launched a voluntary severance scheme due to
significant financial challenges. The university cites a steep decline in
international student enrolments post-Brexit, rising costs, and reduced public
funding as factors behind the cost-cutting measure aimed at maintaining its
financial sustainability.
Innovative
Mentoring at Bayes Business School Boosts Social Mobility for Disadvantaged
Youth
An innovative
mentoring scheme at Bayes Business School pairs local sixth formers and
university students, helping guide disadvantaged youth towards business
careers. The programme teaches valuable soft skills while raising educational
aspirations, with the Dean hailing its positive impact on social mobility.
UK
Universities to Ban TikTok Within Campus Vicinity
In a move to
curb distractions and boost academic performance, TikTok will be banned within
a mile radius of all 166 UK universities from next week, following complaints
from Vice-Chancellors about the app's negative impact on student productivity
and grades.
£100
Million to Boost Skills, Training and Job Creation in South Wales
The UK Government has pledged a £100
million investment to support skills, training, and job creation in South
Wales, demonstrating its commitment to the Welsh steel industry's transition to
low-carbon steelmaking, overseen by a dedicated transition board focused on
regeneration and economic growth.
Fallout from
Options Skills Collapse Prompts Industry Wake-Up Call
The sudden
collapse of training provider Options Skills has left 800+ learners stranded,
with TESP and EAL working to support those impacted and retrieve lost records.
This incident highlights concerns over expensive, unnecessary qualification
packages sold, prompting efforts to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Swansea
University Nurtures Future Healthcare Leaders
Swansea
University's Student Leadership Academy welcomed new healthcare students to its
leadership programme, empowering them to develop confidence, inspire others,
and deliver quality care through interactive activities, networking
opportunities, and guidance from experienced professionals and alumni,
fostering interprofessional collaboration and personal growth.
SMEs Embrace
Low-Cost Talent Strategies Amid Challenges
Amidst
cost-of-living pressures, 64% of SMEs in England are adopting lower-cost
recruitment tactics to invest in talent, with school-leaver employment schemes
and work placements being popular choices.
Sustainable
Aviation Fuel Plant to Bring 150 Jobs to Port Talbot
Port Talbot's plans for a sustainable
jet fuel facility, led by LanzaTech, have been approved, promising to create
150 jobs and produce 100 million litres of aviation fuel annually from
sustainably sourced ethanol, supporting the UK's net-zero carbon goal and
boosting the town's economy.
Tyneside
Sports Merchandise Firm Rescued, Saving 17 Jobs
A Tyneside
company specialising in customisable sports merchandise like trophies, playing
cards, and branded products has been rescued from collapse, securing all 17
jobs at the Burradon-based Club Legends Ltd through a sale of the business and
assets by administrators FRP Advisory.
Free
Childcare for Two-Year-Olds Now Available in England
From April 1st,
parents in England can access 15 hours of free weekly childcare for their
two-year-olds. Though aimed at helping parents return to work, critics warn
there may not be enough childcare places to meet demand when the scheme fully
rolls out in 2025.
Apprenticeship
Funding Rules 2024/25: Major Reforms Proposed
The draft rules
propose easing additional learning support funding claims, relaxing functional
skills requirements for SEND apprentices, introducing a £30k subcontracting
threshold, reducing onboarding and progress monitoring admin, addressing the 5%
co-investment payment lag, and reviewing "more flexible approaches"
to active learning. Key changes include three-monthly learning support reviews,
allowing lower functional skill levels for some SEND apprentices, integrating
assessments with training plans, and exploring front-loaded or block-release
training models.
Call for
Papers: International Conference on Education & Management in London
The 378th
International Conference on Education & Management (ICEM) calls for paper
submissions until December 15, 2023. Held on April 29-30, 2024 at the Clayton
Crown Hotel in London, UK, it welcomes diverse topics from various learning
fields. Affiliated with IAARHIES' indexed journals, including the Journal of
Innovative Research in Education & Management, accepted papers can be
published online.
Student
Global Leadership Conference 2024 Focuses on Mental Health
The Student
Global Leadership Conference 2024, scheduled for April 5-6 in London, UK,
emphasises the importance of mental health and well-being for effective
leadership. With millions affected worldwide, the hybrid event aims to inspire
future leaders to prioritise self-care and create supportive environments,
offering live-streamed sessions and online access.
Winchester's
AI Fit Finalist for UK StartUp Awards' Young Entrepreneur Category
Co-founder of AI Fit, Adam Allen-Rogers
AI Fit, a
Winchester-based startup aiming to revolutionise online shoe shopping through
innovative foot scanning technology, has been named a finalist for the Young
Entrepreneur StartUp of the Year Award at the South East regional finals of the
prestigious UK StartUp Awards, recognising outstanding new businesses
nationwide.
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