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Performance tables: better late than never.

By Esme Winch, Managing Director, Wednesday 15 March 2017

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The release of the long awaited Department of Education (DfE) performance tables for 2019 has been a mixed bag of both relief and frustration. Having waited since November 2016, we were pleased to have confirmation from the DfE that a number of our qualifications are already appearing on the tables. However, it’s frustrating that there’s been an added wait for qualifications that will appear on the next list yet to be released (expected this month).

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Schools reform backlash

By Rachel Hopkins, Marketing Officer, Wednesday 15 March 2017

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Concern is growing amongst groups who represent teachers, councils and Conservative backbenchers surrounding the Chancellor’s education funding reforms, and whether they’re fit to mitigate some of the discrepancies seen across different localities. The formula is argued by the f40 group of education authorities to be too heavily weighted towards “additional needs factors” and will leave the core responsibilities of schools underfunded. The group, which represents the lowest funded education authorities in England, states that ‘[f]unding for individual schools with similar pupil characteristics is inconsistent and unfair.’

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A success for common sense

By Esme Winch, Managing Director, Wednesday 15 March 2017

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In a hugely welcome move, the government has amended the requirement that only those who had achieved GCSEs in English and mathematics could be counted in the ratios for Level 3 Early Years Educators (EYEs). In the long-anticipated response to the consultation on the literacy and numeracy qualification requirements for Level 3 Early Years Educators, the Department for Education (DfE) has set out that:

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16 - 18 funding – back from the wilderness?

By Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Policy Leader, Wednesday 15 March 2017

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

The conversation surrounding funding for 16-18 year olds has hit both peaks and troughs in a matter of weeks. Widely covered announcements from The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS), a timely press release from the Treasury and the Spring Budget that followed have served to highlight the ongoing need for investment in the education of this age group. As we move into unchartered territory with the UK preparing to leave the European Union, the focus has shifted towards this age group and how the UK might prepare itself for a potential skills shortage.

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Apprenticeship Levy: one month to go

By Andrew Gladstone-Heighton, Policy Leader, Tuesday 14 March 2017

Andrew Gladstone-Heighton

The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy is now just one month away, and discussion about this measure is at an all-time high. We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of all the key things you should know about the Levy. The Apprenticeship Levy is of course part of the government’s plans to increase the number of businesses taking on apprenticeships, as it continues its drive to reach three million apprenticeship starts by 2020. From next month, all employers with an annual wage bill of over £3m will be required to pay a 0.5% tax, which they’ll be able to spend on training new apprentices or existing employees.

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