Topics - EdCentral - Results from #340

DfE highlights Taylor Swift gig in crackdown on ‘one-off’ absences

Government publishes the research behind its plans to curb one-day absences, alongside a new parental communications guide for schools to help keep messaging ‘useful’.

Nearly three-quarters of nursery schools to cut costs amid pressures

Many maintained nursery schools are struggling to stay afloat, research shows – at a time when the government is talking up early years’ role in getting children school-ready.

Grants of up to £50k on offer for new ‘early education partnerships’

New partnerships between primary schools and early years settings will be given grants of up to £50,000 to improve reception readiness.

GCSE computing entries drop by 10,000 in two years

More than 10,000 fewer students are sitting GCSE computing compared to two years ago, while French has also seen a sharp decline.

Unions slam ‘lack of meaningful progress’ on support staff pay

Unions representing school support staff have threatened the government with industrial action over a “lack of meaningful progress” on improving pay.

Pupils up to 55% more likely to miss school on their birthday

Pupils are up to 55 per cent more likely to miss school on their birthdays, according to new government absence analysis.

Three colleges land share of £80m defence skills fund

Three FE colleges have won a share of an £80 million government fund to increase defence-related education places and improved facilities.

Treasury reviewing college free meals freeze but offers no VAT decision timetable

The Treasury is “actively looking into” a controversial freeze to free meals funding for college students, while ministers are continuing to review FE’s long-running VAT dispute without committing to a decision timetable.

DWP launches hunt for 25 jobs guarantee national delivery partners

Applications have opened for organisations to deliver the government’s national jobs guarantee, with ministers expecting the scheme to support more than 90,000 long-term unemployed young people across Great Britain.

DfE announces £4,500 bonus for early years teachers in 10 most deprived areas

Early years teachers in 10 of England’s most deprived areas are eligible for a £4,500 annual bonus in a bid to boost recruitment and retention in the sector.

Lack of workforce strategy hinders DfE’s plan for early years, experts warn

The Government’s plan for early years must be coupled with a workforce strategy to offer the best support for children and families, experts have told MPs.

Low-income families with disabled children at risk of 'digital exclusion'

Thousands of low-income families raising disabled children are at risk of being cut off from vital online support, according to analysis which found 93% are either digitally excluded or vulnerable to exclusion.

Hague: Oxford lectures cancelled over protests should go ahead

University chancellor says both academic freedom and legitimate protest must be upheld on campus.

Far-right radicalisation threat ‘only going to get worse’

Updates to UK counter-terror monitoring scheme incoming despite concern Prevent not built to deal with growing problem of extreme right-wing views.

Government to cut university teaching grant by £100 million

Coming reduction in funding for high-cost subjects and access programmes ‘extraordinarily frustrating’, says Universities UK leader.

Economics enters top five A-levels (but the biggest riser is politics)

Business has been overtaken in subject rankings topped by maths.

Young adults and over-50s offered training in care system in new bid to ‘get Britain working’

Hundreds of young adults and individuals over the age of 50 are set to receive training in the care sector, as part of a new initiative aimed at boosting employment.

Mobile phones to be banned in schools across Edinburgh

Mobile phone use in schools across Edinburgh will be banned from bell to bell from August.

‘Unfair and demoralising’: Thousands of graduates earning less than £12.71 an hour five years after leaving university

Tens of thousands of university graduates are earning less than the national living wage five years after finishing their degree, shocking new data shows.

Scotland: Old school asbestos clear-up to cost council more than £2.5m

A council is facing a bill of amore than £2.5m to remove "extensive asbestos" discovered in two of its former schools.