Highlights of week ending 23 April 2021
It’s been another busy week, with all aspects of education and age groups covered by announcements and reports. The Government began work on two aspects of the recent Skills for Jobs White Paper. It opened a new consultation on flexi-job apprenticeship schemes, seeking views on how the new schemes could be run. In addition, applications were opened to become a Local Skills Improvement Plan trailblazer or Strategic Development Fund pilot as part of the Skills Accelerator.
The IFS’s assessment of the White Paper, published this week, described it as a “missed opportunity” and questioned whether it was a serious attempt to improve the system. Expect legislation for aspects of the White Paper as part of the Queen’s Speech on 11 May.
Ofqual published a guide to quality assurance of teacher assessment ahead of this summer. The regulator called for views on the guidance around the appeals process.
Dame Rachel de Souza, England's Children’s Commissioner has launched “The Big Ask” a survey asking children to set out their priorities for improving childhood post-COVID.
UCAS has given cautious backing to a post-qualifications system for entry to university, setting out three tests that need to be met. The Government is currently consulting on an new admissions system.
The Education Policy Institute has published a new analysis paper which shows that a multi-year funding package of £10-15bn is required to make up the lost learning experienced by pupils as a result of the pandemic.
Read the full Policy Watch Briefing in PDF format (PDF | 344 KB)