14-19 education - Diplomas need drastic overhaul, says study(Guardian, 24 January 2009)
Thousands of students on new diploma courses are being over-tested and are at risk of ending up with a qualification that is not accepted by universities, an official evaluation of the programme has concluded.
14-19 education - New diplomas not suitable for bright pupils, say teachers (Times, 26 January 2009)
Teachers do not rate the Government's new diploma as suitable for bright teenagers or those wanting to go to university, according to research published today.
14-19 education - Diplomas could divide pupils, says survey (Guardian, 26 January 2009)
The government's new diplomas risk creating a further divide between academic and vocational education, according to a survey which finds that teachers see the diplomas as suitable for students who are "less academic" and from "poorer areas".
Higher education - University challenge: Dawn of the cyberstudent(Guardian, 19 January 2009)
Collaborative learning, wikis, virtual classrooms: web 2.0 is transforming higher education, and students are driving the changes. Can UK institutions keep up?
Higher education - University admissions hit new record(Training and Development Agency for Schools, 19 January 2009)
The number of students taking places on undergraduate courses at UK universities hit a new record last year.
Higher education - Higher education team dismays MPs (BBC, 20 January 2009)
MPs have said the 18-month-old Departments for Innovation, Universities and Skills "has not yet found its feet" and may take decades to make an impact.
Higher education - Supporting the economy a key priority for universities(DIUS, 22 January 2009)
Supporting the economy through the recession and building a framework for the future of higher education are the two key priorities Universities Secretary, John Denham has set for the sector.
Higher education - Focus on basic skills training not HE, say MPs(Times Higher, 22 January 2009)
Government targets to ensure that millions more adult workers gain higher education qualifications by 2020 will not be met and should be set aside in favour of making sure employees have basic skills, a committee of MPs has said.
Higher education - Grant announcement for higher education 2009-10 (HEFCE, 22 January 2009)
HEFCE has received the annual grant letter from the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills on higher education funding for 2009-10.
Higher education - Freeze in extra student numbers(BBC, 23 January 2009)
Universities face a limit on increasing student numbers for the next two years, with the threat of financial penalties for "over recruiting".
Leitch Review - HEFCE's response to review of the Leitch report's impact (HEFCE, 19 January 2009)
HEFCE has welcomed the report published by the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee examining the impact of Lord Leitch's 2006 review of skills.
Mature students - Older people's education 'neglected'(Guardian, 20 January 2009)
Vast majority of education budget spent on under 25s, despite growing elderly population, says new report.
Event - Mind the gap: 14-19 reforms, transition into higher education, and the role of information, advice and guidance
Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 March 2009, Hilton London Docklands A draft programme is available online (PDF document). Please contact Debbie Payne with any queries, or for further information, at community@ssatrust.org.uk or on 020 7802 2382.
