Research and Education

Don't fake it, Ofsted warns schools

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 7:23pm

Schools should not attempt to pull the "proverbial wool" over inspectors' eyes during Ofsted visits, the watchdog's chief has warned head teachers.

CEOs swap jobs with apprentices

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 1:08pm

CEOs and directors across the country have been swapping roles with apprentices to learn about the real value and impact of Apprenticeships for National Apprenticeship Week 2013.

HEFCE is looking to appoint new members to its Strategic Advisory Committees

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 12:52pm

HEFCE wishes to appoint new members to three of its four Strategic Advisory Committees.

Plans for India network of British business centres unveiled

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 12:07pm

Plans to develop British business networks in high growth and emerging markets took a further step forward today.

Local accountability and autonomy in colleges

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 9:37am

This survey reviewed how well colleges are responding to the new freedoms and flexibilities in determining their priorities and developing their curriculum to meet local community needs. It also aimed to identify barriers to progress in meeting local needs, and the features of best practice. Inspectors evaluated the effectiveness of colleges’ work with their local strategic partners to help ensure that the learning and skills provision supported local economic growth. Inspectors explored how well governors held senior managers to account for this work.

School places 'under real strain'

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 3:07am

A surge in the number of children reaching school age in England is putting "real strain" on places, the National Audit Office warns.

HE sector prepares for future financial challenges

Posted Fri, 15/03/2013 - 12:37am

In the year before the introduction of the new funding arrangements for higher education in England, the sector overall was in a sound financial position, and will remain so in 2012-13. However, 2011-12 saw the first real-terms reduction in total income on record, and forecasts for 2012-13 suggest that the sector will see a sharp fall in surpluses.

Call for evidence to inform national strategy for access and student success

Posted Thu, 14/03/2013 - 5:22pm

HEFCE and OFFA are interested to hear from universities and colleges, schools, and any other organisation involved in widening participation in higher education to inform the development of a national strategy for access and student success.

David Willetts comments on the launch of Lockheed Martin’s major new seabed mining initiative

Posted Thu, 14/03/2013 - 2:37pm

Welcoming the announcement that UK Seabed Resources, in partnership with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has been awarded a licence and contract to explore a 58,000 sq kilometre area of the Pacific for mineral-rich polymetallic nodules, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:

Government to simplify and improve Employment Tribunals

Posted Thu, 14/03/2013 - 12:38pm

New rules aimed at streamlining the Employment Tribunal process were announced by Employment Relations Minister Jo Swinson today. These changes will make tribunals easier to understand, more efficient and will help weed out weak claims.

Funding and Consultations

Update - Issue 149

Posted Wed, 13/03/2013 - 2:52pm

Issue 149 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update - Issue 148

Posted Wed, 06/03/2013 - 2:52pm

Issue 148 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update - Issue 147

Posted Wed, 27/02/2013 - 3:07pm

Issue 147 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update – Issue 146

Posted Wed, 20/02/2013 - 3:52pm

Issue 146 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update - Issue 145

Posted Wed, 13/02/2013 - 2:40pm

Issue 145 of Update, the Agency's weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update - Issue 144

Posted Wed, 06/02/2013 - 2:55pm

Issue 144 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update – Issue 143

Posted Wed, 30/01/2013 - 5:26pm

Issue 142 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update - Issue 142

Posted Wed, 23/01/2013 - 4:27pm

Issue 142 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update 141

Posted Wed, 16/01/2013 - 5:08pm

Issue 141 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.

Update - Issue 140

Posted Thu, 10/01/2013 - 1:38am

Issue 140 of Update, the Agency’s weekly round-up of business-critical information and news for the further education sector.