Education and Employers

Top students expansion plan could ‘hit social mobility’

…Moves to relax the limit on places for students who get AAB grades at A-level are widely expected in the forthcoming higher education White Paper. Read the full BBC story….

Rise in the number of apprenticeships

…last year, twice as many as expected. Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said the government was determined to “break down barriers between academic and vocational learning”. Read the full BBC story….

MP says state school pupils need more languages, maths and science

…on the 7% of young people the independent sector educates, to provide such a high proportion of future generations of scientists, engineers, medics or linguists.” Read the full BBC story….

Celebrity role models ‘a myth’ for young children

…myth’ for young children. Ordinary people they meet in real life have much more of a positive impact on their behaviour and aspirations research suggests. Read the full BBC story….

Alison Wolf’s Review of Vocational Education published today

…full government response. http://www.education.gov.uk/16to19/qualificationsandlearning/a0074953/review-of-vocational-education-the-wolf-report If you have any questions about the response you can email: wolf.review@education.gsi.gov.uk Related story Read the full BBC story Teenagers must stick at English and maths….

Poor language skills ‘leave Britons out of EU jobs’

…of a “serious problem”. To alleviate the UK’s lack of language skills the government is aiming to reverse a decline in language study in schools. Read the full BBC story….

School leavers “need work skills and knowledge” say teachers’ leaders

…skills should be recognised alongside GCSEs in England. Business leaders have long complained about school leavers’ work ready skills. Read the full BBC story. Leading business body the Confederation of…

Half of English children behind in their development

…their development, this highlights the role that reading buddy and number buddy schemes can play in primary schools. Read the full BBC story. ‘Time to Read’ literary intervention programme website….

CRB checks reduced in schools

Millions of people in England and Wales who work or volunteer with children and vulnerable adults will no longer need criminal record checks. Read the full BBC story. A major…

Employers can help social mobility

…has been declining in Britain since the 1950s. So what can the brightest young people from less privileged backgrounds do to break into the professions? Read the full BBC story….