14-19 education - Parents and employers do not see diplomas as credible, say MPs (Guardian, 7 October 2008)
A £590m plan to introduce diplomas to replace A-levels and GCSEs in England is at risk because the new qualification is not seen as credible by parents, employers and universities, MPs say today.
14-19 education - Some more equal than others (The Economist, 9 October 2008)
"Those figure won't be available until Christmas," says a spokesman for the schools department when asked how many pupils are studying for the "diploma", the new, semi-academic, semi-vocational school qualification that premiered in the classroom in September.
Apprenticeships - Tories' apprentice to degree plan (BBC, 29 September 2008)
The Conservatives are promising to create 1,200 university places for students to move from apprenticeships in to higher education.
Apprenticeships - Tories propose new bursaries for apprentices (Guardian, 29 September 2008)
£20m programme would each year fund 1,200 'skills scholarships' covering costs of part-time study for those in work.
Higher education - £400 million for universities to boost the economy and society (HEFCE, 2 October 2008)
HEFCE today confirmed the distribution of nearly £400 million from the Higher Education Innovation Fund round four (HEIF 4) to universities following approval of their strategies.
Higher education - Universities 'should vary offers'(BBC, 3 October 2008)
Universities have been given the green light to vary the A-level grades expected from applicants depending on the schools they attend.
Skills - Lammy faces MPs concerns over skills programme (Guardian, 8 October 2008)
David Lammy, the new higher education minister, has defended the controversial Train to Gain scheme against charges that it's merely handing out qualifications to people for skills they already have.
Vocational education - Vocational courses are failing students(Guardian, 2 October 2008)
Study shows applicants with traditional A-levels are more likely to be accepted by top universities, and to succeed once they get there.
Vocational education - Vocational students 'drop out' (BBC, 2 October 2008)
Pupils who have studied vocational A-levels are less likely to go to leading universities and more likely to drop out, a study says.
Vocational education - Private schools offer vocational subjects (Financial Times, 4 October 2008)
Private schools have discovered a new niche market, taking advantage of their sometimes lavish facilities to offer vocational courses for less academic children - until recently the sole preserve of the state sector.
