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
BTECs facing the axe?
The government has asked for views on withdrawing public funding from qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds that overlap with either A-levels or the new T-levels. Promoted as a progressive policy, it could have severe implications for the BTEC courses long established in sixth forms and colleges. More than 200,000 16 to 18-year-olds study BTEC courses … Continue reading BTECs facing the axe?
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
Low Pay Britain
Published earlier this week, the Resolution Foundation's Low Pay Britain charts the success of the Minimum Wage (now officially called the National Living Wage) in reducing inequality at the bottom of the labour market. A record two million workers - 7.3 per cent, now depend on the legal minimum wage, covering around 1.6 million jobs. … Continue reading Low Pay Britain
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?
