Introduction Today Ofqual published its international benchmarking report on A levels. It comes as the regulator prepares to launch an important consultation on the future nature and shape of A levels and will inevitably provide a valuable lead into the consultation. The report takes four A levels: English; maths, chemistry and history and considers in... Read on

Introduction No sign of the HE Bill in the legislative programme announced by the Queen this week but a few other Bills of potential interest for the world of education amongst the 19 Bills that were announced. They include a Bill enacting some important recent developments around special educational needs, adoption and parental leave, a... Read on

(A version of this article will appear shortly as part of a collection by Linking London) Now and again it can be useful to lift your gaze from the latest news story, burning policy issue or regulatory change that is occupying your attention. If you set your focus to the widest possible angle, then you... Read on

Main talking points Clearly a difficult month politically but where does this leave the world of education and training? First, like most other public services, it leaves it facing further belt tightening potentially well into 2016 and possibly beyond; Danny Alexander’s IFS speech this month, listed below, is important in understanding the context for this.... Read on

Introduction The argument about whether or not we need a middle tier, perhaps a mediating structure for an increasingly autonomous school system has reared its head again recently. It was the subject of two important reports from the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) a couple of weeks ago and it was the first... Read on

Introduction Last week’s ‘disappointing’ growth figures came at the same time as the Treasury extended its grip on public spending and further debate took off about youth unemployment. It continues to provide a difficult backcloth for the world of education and skills   The latest growth figures Growth is one of the key indicators of... Read on

How easy is it for the average student or their family to even find, let alone access or make sense of all the relevant information they need? For example our research with parents clearly highlights some of the challenges when choosing between schools. This was a theme picked up recently by Michael Gove, calling for... Read on

Introduction Since the start of the month new funding rules have been published, updates on fee loans started, consultation on workforce regulations launched, modifications to Corporations’ forms of governance announced and developments around core learning groups such as apprentices, adult learners and HE students confirmed. FE’s ‘spring’ revolution continues Funding and fees Simplification means the... Read on

Introduction No great fanfares but four new contours have appeared in the education landscape this month in the form of three new Executive Agencies and one new universal careers support service.     Why more changes? This latest bout of furniture moving comes as part of the Government’s long-term project of slimming down the number... Read on

Introduction In November 2009 as Shadow Education Secretary, Michael Gove made a landmark speech in which he outlined five principles that would guide his education reform programme should he ever become Education Secretary. One of these principles, raising standards, included a commitment to give universities “power” over A levels. A year later that commitment was... Read on