Dear Subscribers
The weeks fly past (is it too soon to say that half term fast approaches?). So, time for some more weekly updates.
Let’s start with some depressing news from the world of higher education. The DfE has published an equality analysis, looking at the impact of a 2.5% uplift to loans and maintenance grants in the 2024-25 academic year. In the light of recent sharp increases in the cost of living, the conclusion is that all students, not just those who are disadvantaged, ‘will not be able to make the same spending decisions as they did previously with regards to accommodation, travel, food, entertainment, and course-related items such as books and equipment.’ You can read the full analysis here.
Moving on to teacher training, the big news this week is in the form of an announcement from the DfE that it is combining the core content framework (CCF) for initial teacher training with the early career framework (ECF) from September 2025. The new combined framework (ITTECF) will span the first 3 years of a teaching career (one year training and 2 years as an early career teacher). The DfE hopes that this measure will avoid ‘unnecessary repetition’ of content which has been highlighted as an issue. The new framework will also have a stronger emphasis on supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). You can read more about the new framework here.
A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the DfE’s climate change strategy, and I have summarised the report from the DfE giving updates of progress against the strategy objectives. This week, the DfE has published a short report from the strategy user group – a group of specialists working across the education sector. The report provides independent feedback on the strategy. In spite of highlighting some limitations and challenges, the group encouragingly states that ‘considering the infancy of the strategy, it’s already having wide-reaching impacts across the sector.’ The full report is here.
I wonder if you are a researcher? The DfE has this week published its latest ‘areas of research interest’ document, highlighting several priority areas for future education research. Five key areas are set out: skills, schools, early years and family support, vulnerable children, and artificial intelligence. Within each area, several research areas are presented in the form of questions.
And finally, the phasing out of vocational qualifications which are considered to overlap with T levels continues. This week, the DfE has published a provisional list of qualifications which overlap with the 4th wave of T levels. Pending appeals, these qualifications will have funding removed for new starts from 1st August 2025. You can read more here.
I look forward to updating you again next week.
