Category Uncategorized

Skills, Skills, Skills: levelling up and hardship denial at the Conservative conference

With the dust settling on the Conservative Party conference in Manchester this week, there has been considerable reflection in all quarters. There was no indication of policy on university funding, equality or widening access. Indeed, the emphasis appeared to be…

Higher education, fees loans, and the Labour conference

After the dust settled on the Labour Conference in Brighton this week, we are reflecting on what happened.  Most media outlets focussed their attention on divisions in the party between those trying to occupy the pragmatic centre ground and those…

Privatisation storm looms for universities

With more pressure piled onto universities in recent weeks as term begins, it looks like something is bound to break soon. The crisis in admissions and examinations is only generating a sense of foreboding. Add to this the increase in…

Are independent schools cheating or ‘gaming the system’? UPDATE: National Reference Test a ‘scandal’

On Friday, Schools Week revealed something very surprising about independent schools with the exclusive ‘Ofqual won’t be able to explain private school grades boost’. It appears that none were included in the ‘National Reference Test (NRT) 2021’ carried out recently…

2021 Examinations: From gold standard to fool’s gold

Earlier today saw the release of the examination results that determine university entrance for students across the UK. These are A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Highers and Advanced Highers in Scotland. Those in Scotland and Wales were…

Levelling up: True Blue or just a bit faded?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson attempted to expound on his ‘levelling up’ policies in Coventry yesterday to very mixed reception. It came out as confused and lacking in any clear detailed policy to such an extent that most observers reacted with…

Student futures in a divided society

Will time run out for students looking to the technology of the future for equality? Submissions to the recently launched University Partnerships Programme  UPP Foundation ‘Students Futures Commission’ closed today and they promise a fresh look at what the future…