The DfE has just published (December 2023) the The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report which compares results for 15-year-old pupils in England with countries around the world. In the introduction, the report notes that (for England's results): higher performing pupils may be overrepresented in the final sample and some of the PISA results … Continue reading PISA 2022: National Report for England
Category: Department for Education
Cyber security is vital
We need to continue to be vigilant and maintain appropriate systems in our schools to ensure that they are secure from cbyer threats. The DfE has issued a number of standards that schools need to meet. The issue is taken seriously by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) as exemplified by this recent reprrimand issued to … Continue reading Cyber security is vital
Autumn Budget 2023
The Autumn 2023 budget announcement (22 November 2023) was notable for the absence of any additional funding for schools. NGA's NGA’s co-chief executive, Emma Knights, stated that: Again, we find ourselves expressing profound disappointment that the Chancellor has not made additional investments in England's schools today. The Prime Minister has promised us all a world-class education … Continue reading Autumn Budget 2023
The condition of school buildings
The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts has released a new report on the condition of school buildings (19 November 2023). The main findings are that: it is extremely concerning that DfE does not have a good enough understanding of safety risks across school buildings for it to fully quantify and mitigate these risks and … Continue reading The condition of school buildings
Local authority interactive tool (LAIT)
The Local authority interactive tool (LAIT) has recently been updated (10 November 2023). It is a useful, government produced spreadhseet with a range of useful information about children and young people across all local authorities in England. The website includes links to the tool itself plus a user guide and the Children's services statistical neighbour … Continue reading Local authority interactive tool (LAIT)
New support for teachers powered by Artificial Intelligence
AI is with us to stay, like it or not, with ChatGPT and Google Bard blazing a trail of (currently) text-based AI systems that can enhance (or plagiarise?) study and research. No surprise, then, especially after the recent chat between Rishi Sunak and Elon Musk, that the government has announced up to £2 million funding … Continue reading New support for teachers powered by Artificial Intelligence
The DfE’s NFF funding calculation error
Both Local Authorities and MATs support their schools’ budget planning by providing projections beyond the current academic year and for at least the following two financial years, as required by the government. The mistakes made by the DfE are to do with the projections they have provided to relevant bodies, such as Derbyshire County Council, … Continue reading The DfE’s NFF funding calculation error
New measures to protect children’s learning from strike action
On Friday 20 October the government announced Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) to "protect children and young people’s education", to be introduced in schools and colleges. The Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has written to union leaders inviting them to discuss proposals on a voluntary basis in the first instance. In her letter she is clear that … Continue reading New measures to protect children’s learning from strike action
The Advanced British Standard
At the Conservative Party Conference, one of the few new (i.e. previously unannouced) initiatives is the plan to scrap A and T Levels and create a new Advanced British Standard, a new Baccalaureate-style qualification for 16 to 19 year olds. The DfE have published a report "A world-class education system: The Advanced British Standard" that … Continue reading The Advanced British Standard
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