Author: Martin Allen

Another year of A-level results

Another year of A-level results. Attention has focused on the slight dip in performance levels particularly for As and A*s grades. Yet this is due to a ’comparative outcomes’ approach to assessment, introduced by Michael Gove during  his ransacking of state education. Gove considered that examination boards where deliberately manipulating grade boundaries and causing ‘grade … Continue reading Another year of A-level results →

Universities: 40% now get unconditional offers

Final analysis by UCAS shows that nearly 40% of 18 year olds now receive at least one 'unconditional' offer  (or an offer that would be unconditional if the applicant agrees to make the university their first choice ). While this continues to reflect growing marketisation and the desperate attempts of institutions to attract students - … Continue reading Universities: 40% now get unconditional offers →

Apprenticeships and Gavin Williamson

While the total number of apprenticeships starts continues to level off, the rapid increase in  enrolments for Higher Level schemes appears to be bucking this trend.  According to latest government data, there were 60 000 new starts during the last nine months, well above the figure for the preceding twelve months, which at the time constituted … Continue reading Apprenticeships and Gavin Williamson →

School leavers head for Uni in record numbers

UCAS reports highest ever numbers of school leavers have made applications for September -by the end of June, over 235.000 18 years,40% of 18 years had applied -though the number from Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland  has fallen. https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-releases/applicant-releases-2019-cycle/2019-cycle-applicant-figures-30-june-deadline Universities will be delighted, particularly those dependent on expansion for survival. They'll  continue to argue that … Continue reading School leavers head for Uni in record numbers →

The rise and fall of Teacherism

Martin Allen & Patrick Ainley on the politics of 'teacherism' ‘Teacherism’ has dominated education politics since the post-war period.  It continues to be significant now  but its influence is waning. The post-war education reforms enhanced the professional status of what had previously been a largely female occupation so that teachers’ professional project achieved its goal … Continue reading The rise and fall of Teacherism →

Alternatives for tertiary learning

In a contribution for the Council for the Defence of British Universities, Patrick Ainley reviews an essay collection aiming to rethink the purpose of tertiary level learning. The Centre for Labour and Social Studies (CLASS) is a think tank connected to the trades unions combining ‘grassroots voices with intellectually compelling analysis…to ensure policy is on … Continue reading Alternatives for tertiary learning →

Review of Post -18 Education and Funding. First impressions

The Augar report on post-18 learning has been long awaited. The first government sponsored  review of higher education since Robbins, it’s two hundred or so pages were published in the week the Prime Minister who commissioned it resigned and as universities start to wind down, or at least lose their students for the summer. Perhaps … Continue reading Review of Post -18 Education and Funding. First impressions →

Will young people be voting on Thursday?

Traditional relationships between class and voting behaviour are not what they used to be. This week’s Euro-election will, it seems, only confirm this, with Labour desperately trying to unite ‘pro-Brexit’ traditional northern working-class supporters with  recent converts – the more affluent socially progressive but staunchly pro-European voters of London and the south. Despite the excessive … Continue reading Will young people be voting on Thursday? →