Editorial

Rishi Sunak, UK Prime Minister, announces plans to expand apprenticeship opportunities by 20,000 through reforms, such as fully funding training for under-21s at small businesses. The government has allocated £60m for next year, with changes to the apprenticeship levy allowing sharing up to 50% of unspent funds.

Research reveals short school suspensions in England correlate to lower GCSE results, emphasising need for early interventions. Suspended pupils lag a year behind peers, struggle to pass GCSE math and English. Proactive early intervention is recommended to address the issue.

Cambridge University has dropped its target for admitting state school students, aiming to address inequality of opportunity. The decision follows criticism and a shift in focus towards increasing diversity in admissions. The university now plans to consider socioeconomic factors in the application process to ensure fairness.

Brown University has reversed its "test-optional" policy, requiring SAT or ACT scores for admissions, as they believe standardised tests play a crucial role in assessing academic potential. Additionally, Brown is reviewing legacy preferences and maintaining its early decision program amidst broader discussions on diversity and inclusion in higher education.

A new report proposes an overhaul of England's school calendar, advocating for shorter summer holidays and longer half-term breaks. Authors argue for even distribution of holidays throughout the year, to benefit student well-being and academic results, and follows the Welsh government's plans for similar changes.

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson advocates for training young male influencers to counter negative figures like Andrew Tate. The plans include peer-to-peer mentoring in schools and educating students on questioning social media content, with the aim to empower students to assess online content critically and promote healthy relationships.

A study by Leeds and York universities highlights the enduring importance of GCSE results in predicting later achievements and well-being. The research, involving 6,500 individuals aged 23, emphasises the necessity of strong academic performance in securing future opportunities like university admission and career success.

A study commissioned by Royal Shakespeare Company found that teaching Shakespeare improves children's literacy and emotional development. Employing a "rehearsal room" approach broadens vocabulary and writing complexity, and highlights the importance of arts in education, particularly Shakespeare's rich language and character exploration.

City, University of London and St George’s, University of London are merging to form City St George’s, University of London, becoming one of the largest providers of health professionals in London. Starting from August 2024, the combined institution will work to enhance healthcare innovation, workforce development, and research capabilities.

The UK government revealed new guidance that aims to curb mobile phone use in English schools, seeking to minimise disruptions and improve behaviour. Despite mixed opinions, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan stresses the importance of establishing a no-phone norm. The guidance suggests various approaches, including complete bans or strict usage conditions.

New data reveals that applications from students outside of the UK rose from 114,910 last year to 115,730, despite stricter migration rules. The UK government's target is to have 600,000 international students studying in the UK by 2030, and say that education "play a vital role in supporting the UK economy".

Dartmouth College announced the reinstatement of its standardised testing requirement for undergraduate admissions, effective for the Class of 2029. Meanwhile, Yale University recently announced that it is implementing a test-flexible policy for undergraduate admissions, starting from applicants applying for Fall 2025 entry.

Parents are turning to 11-plus tutoring, amid fears that private school fees are likely to increase if Labour win the next general election. Tutors report high demand, with waiting lists of up to four years in grammar school areas.

Dartmouth College is reintroducing standardised test requirements for applicants, including SAT, ACT, and equivalent exams, after analysing the performance of students admitted during the pandemic. The university’s own research suggests that these tests provided a better indicator of undergraduate performance.

A surge in fake scientific papers, with over 10,000 retractions last year, is threatening research integrity worldwide. Fabricated studies are infiltrating reputable journals, compromising medical research and drug development. Experts warn that this wave of fake science risks corrupting the integrity of the entire research system, posing a crisis for academia.