Greetings! Welcome to another illuminating edition of our esteemed UK Education and Career Newsletter. As the week progresses, we eagerly present you with the latest insights, innovations, and thought-provoking discussions shaping the ever-evolving landscapes of Britain's academic and professional realms.

This week, the spotlight falls on the contentious decision by the University of Cambridge to scrap the controversial student quota system, sparking debates on access, equity, and meritocracy in higher education. Brace yourself for an in-depth exploration of this pivotal development and its far-reaching implications here.

As always, our dedicated team has meticulously curated the week's most significant news, trends, and thought-provoking perspectives, ensuring that you remain well-informed and equipped to make informed decisions about your future endeavours.

Embrace this opportunity to expand your horizons, challenge conventional wisdom, and unlock the boundless potential that lies within each of us. Together, we will embark on an exhilarating journey of knowledge and discovery, propelling our collective aspirations towards excellence in education and career pursuits.

Thank you for your unwavering trust and for joining us on this captivating expedition. Fasten your seatbelts, for an enlightening and insightful journey awaits!

SCHOOLS

Gloucestershire Failing Children with Special Educational Needs

An inspection found that Gloucestershire County Council and the local NHS are letting down young people with special educational needs (SEND). More than two-thirds of children do not get the help they need in education. The report stated that support systems are too reactive, with families reaching crisis points before their educational needs are met.

New Secondary School for Pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties Approved in Middlesbrough

Summary: Councillors have approved plans for a new secondary school serving 70 pupils aged 11-16 with severe learning difficulties. The school will be built next to the existing Discovery Special Academy primary school in Acklam, Middlesbrough, despite objections over parking issues and additional traffic along Sandy Flatts Lane.

Ultra-Fast Broadband Roll-out for Rural Primary Schools

Primary schools in isolated and "hard-to-reach" areas across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Cambridge will receive gigabit broadband as part of a government initiative. The 91 schools, located in areas with connectivity issues, will have internet speeds up to 500 times faster by December 2025, enabling better access to digital resources.

Violence Threats Disrupt Schools Across Bradford

Police presence was heightened at schools across Bradford district after threats of violent disorder spread on social media, initially affecting Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College. An arrest was made related to robberies in Wibsey, potentially linked to the threats, as officers monitored the situation.

FURTHER EDUCATION

SEND College Faces Closure After Second 'Inadequate' Ofsted Grade

Summary: Leighton Education Project, a small SEND college in London, is considering closure after receiving a second 'inadequate' rating from Ofsted. The college's leaders accuse the watchdog of unprofessional conduct and a "wrong" judgment. Despite efforts to improve its curriculum after the first poor inspection, Ofsted found that students were still making slow progress due to inadequate teaching and assessment practices.

Apprenticeship Funding Boost for Select Providers

The UK government will provide a £3,000 top-up for 13 apprenticeship standards, but stringent rules mean only around 15 independent training providers would be eligible based on recent trends, potentially limiting the policy's impact.

Strike Action at Five North East Colleges Over Pay Dispute

Staff at five colleges - Bede Sixth Form, NETA Training Group, Stockton Riverside, The Skills Academy, and Redcar and Cleveland - will strike on March 20-21 over a pay dispute with their employer, Education Training Collective (ETC). Workers rejected ETC's 3% pay offer for 2022/23 as inadequate.

Free Vocational Training Boosts Careers in Oldham

Realise is providing free vocational training in areas like logistics, childcare, and security to over 100 unemployed adults in Oldham through the Adult Education Budget. The fully-funded courses aim to upskill learners and help them secure employment in the local job market.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Sheffield Hallam University Issues Redundancy Notices Amid Role Changes

More than 120 staff at Sheffield Hallam University have been issued with "risk of redundancy" letters as the institution undergoes academic role changes. The affected employees, including principal lecturers, have until March 18 to apply for voluntary redundancy or a "limited number of roles," according to the University and College Union (UCU).

Oxford Mansfield College Aims to Raise £100M to Support State School Students

Helen Mountfield, principal of Oxford's Mansfield College, says they actively help their 93% state school-educated undergraduates succeed rather than relying on a "magical sorting hat" to uncover talent. The college is launching a £100M fundraising campaign to provide specialist support, accommodation, and resources to students from diverse backgrounds, recognising academic aptitude is spread across society but opportunities are not.

SKILLS & TRAINING

Liverpool City Region Invests £54M in Adult Skills Training for 2024/25

The Liverpool City Region has announced its largest-ever £54M investment in adult skills training through the Adult Skills Fund for the 2024/25 academic year. The funding aims to upskill over 30,000 residents, with 75% from disadvantaged areas, and tackle skills shortages. An additional £3.7M will provide free level 3 (A-level equivalent) courses for low-income earners.

Enginuity Unveils Roadmap to Address UK's Engineering Skills Gap

Enginuity, a charity focused on closing the UK's engineering and manufacturing skills gap, has published a roadmap outlining five key priorities for building and maintaining a skilled workforce. The "Enginuity Skills Action Plan" calls for collaboration among employers, training providers, and policymakers to upskill and reskill workers, attract diverse talent, offer flexible qualifications, strengthen data, and optimise funding systems.

Lancashire Expands Skills Bootcamps for Career Advancement

Lancashire is boosting funding for Skills Bootcamps, short training programmes helping over 800 residents retrain or upskill in sectors like digital, manufacturing, and green energy. The flexible courses enable career switching and support businesses in reskilling staff.

CAREER

Newcastle Tech Firm Allows Staff to Work Abroad for Up to 2 Months

Sales and marketing company Durhamlane in Newcastle has introduced an "International Working Benefit" allowing its nearly 100 employees to work abroad for up to two months per year. The policy aims to support staff with families and commitments in other countries, enabling them to visit relatives and celebrate holidays while still meeting clients globally. A trial run was welcomed by employees for the social and personal benefits.

Cyber Security Firm Precursor Expands to Newcastle, Creating 10 New Jobs

Leeds-based cyber security company Precursor has expanded its operations to Newcastle, launching a new secure operations centre. The company has invested £500,000 and created 10 initial jobs in the new Newcastle base, with potential for more hires. The facility will operate a 24/7 cyber security monitoring service to protect North East businesses from cyber threats.

Babcock to Create Over 1,000 New Jobs at Rosyth Shipyard

Defence company Babcock International Group is creating more than 1,000 new jobs, including 400 apprenticeships, at its shipbuilding facility in Rosyth over the next four years. The new hires, comprising skilled engineers, tradespeople, graduates, and production support staff, will work on programmes like building Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy. Babcock aims to attract diverse talent, including those not in education, employment, or training.

POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Northern Ireland Plans £30,000 Starting Salary for Newly-Qualified Teachers

Newly qualified teachers in Northern Ireland could get a starting salary of £30,000 under a pay offer outlined by Education Minister Paul Givan, aimed at ending a three-year pay freeze and long-running strike action by unions. The proposal would bring starting salaries equal to those in England.

Exam Boards Enhancing Security After AQA, OCR and Pearson Cyber Attacks

Following cyber attacks targeting exam boards AQA, OCR and Pearson last summer, Ofqual has asked all exam boards to introduce new security measures like multi-factor authentication. This aims to prevent unauthorised access to secure exam materials ahead of time, ensuring fairness. Chief regulator Sir Ian Bauckham stressed exams cannot be fair if some get prior access.

EVENTS

Manchester's Premier Career Networking Event on March 15th

The UK Careers Fair is hosting its Manchester Careers Fair on March 15, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm. This free event organised by The UK Careers Fair provides an excellent networking platform for job seekers across business and economic sectors. Covering career opportunities, recruitment, and professional development, the fair allows attendees to connect with potential employers and explore new career paths. With exhibitors from diverse industries, it presents a valuable chance for those looking for new roles or their next hire.

Online Easter Scratch to Python Bridging Course for Years 5-8

CSworks Coding Academy is offering an exciting Online Easter Scratch to Python Bridging Course from April 8-12, 2024, specifically designed for students in Years 5 to 8. This 2-hour online boot camp aims to help participants transition from Scratch to the more advanced Python programming language. Expert instructors will guide them through interactive coding exercises, enabling a smooth transition to grasp the basics of Python and take their coding skills to new heights. Parents can enrol their children in this unique opportunity to get ahead in computer programming during the Easter break. Timings are 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm GMT+5:30 each day.

DATES & DEADLINES

GREAT Scholarships 2024: University of Edinburgh's Global Outreach

The University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with the British Council and GREAT Britain Campaign, is offering five GREAT Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. These scholarships target outstanding students from Mexico, Ghana, Malaysia, Turkey, and Vietnam applying for eligible one-year postgraduate Masters programmes. The scholarship deadlines are staggered, with Ghana and Malaysia applications closing on April 1st, Mexico on April 30th, and Turkey and Vietnam on May 15th, 2024. This initiative aims to attract global talent and promote international educational opportunities at the prestigious Scottish university.

HALL OF FAME THIS WEEK

Sibling Building Merchants Lauded as Top Young Achievers

Rachel and Ben Davies, joint managing directors at LBS Builders Merchants Ltd, have been named among the "Top 100 Young Achievers" in the building materials industry by the Builders Merchants Federation for their career success and positive impact.