SFS News
03.05.2013
University applications on the rise, says UCAS
New figures from UCAS have revealed that university applications in the UK are slowly rising, following a sharp decline in 2012.
The new UCAS report highlights that April saw a rise of 2.5 per cent in the number of applications, compared to the same month in 2012. In total, 15,000 more applications had been processed this year, totalling 620,000. The rise of cost in university fees had caused a fall in numbers last year, but this seems... more
03.05.2013
Four more UK universities join free online course platform
It has emerged that there are now 21 universities part of the Futurelearn scheme, after four more institutions announced that they would join.
The UK-based Futurelearn platform offers free online courses from later this year. The University of Sheffield is one university to have joined the programme, with the universities of Glasgow, Loughborough and Strathclyde also joining the bill. Even though details are yet to be fully unveiled about what courses will... more
02.05.2013
7,000 teaching assistants employed in private sector in 2012
There has been a six per cent rise in the number of Teaching Assistants in the UK, with 7,000 assistants particularly helping children and Teachers in private schools, the Guardian reports.
New official figures from the Department for Education's annual workforce survey have revealed that with 54,000 Teachers in the private sector, this means that there is an Assistant for every eight Teachers in the country. This specific six per cent rise is in both primary and secondary schools.
The... more
01.05.2013
Entry levels for UK universities reach record high
According to the Office for Fair Access, the level of young people in England likely to have entered higher education in 2011-12 reached a record high of 49 per cent; in comparison to 46 per cent the year before.
The report further highlights that there is a gender gap, with 55 per cent of young women more likely to have entered higher education, compared to 45 per cent of men. The Higher Education Initial Participation Rate, which is... more
19.04.2013
Gove proposes longer days and shorter holidays in schools
Education Secretary Michael Gove has suggested that school hours should be made longer, whilst pupils should also have shorter holidays, in a move to improve standards.
When speaking at an education conference in London, Mr Gove highlighted how “school days are longer [and] school holidays are shorter" in East Asian countries, and how these changes would also be friendlier for the family unit.
Mr Gove added: "It is already the case that some of the best schools in the... more
18.04.2013
92% of London pupils got one of top three primary school choices
Parents across England are finding out if their children have got into their primary school of choice this week, according to the BBC.
Those who asked for online notification received the news last night (April 17th), whilst formal letters will arrive in the post to other parents today. The BBC reports that 81 per cent of pupils in London achieved their first choice, whilst a mammoth 92 per cent in the capital city got to go to at... more
18.04.2013
Poor students to receive GCSE congratulation letters from ministers
Students who come from poor backgrounds and gain top GCSE qualifications will receive special congratulatory letters from ministers under new coalition proposals.
The letters, which will be given to the pupils via their Headmaster for data protection measures, will offer further information to students about how to apply to university. This follows research in the US that suggested that sending guidance to low-income students increased college applications.
Universities Minister David Willetts said in a statement: "With today's sensitivities about... more
17.04.2013
Teachers’ pay to be dependent on progress of pupils
State and private schools across England have been given guidelines by the Department of Education (DofE) about how they should set up performance pay for Teachers.
With annual pay rises being scrapped by the government, increased wages will now depend on both the length of employment and the achievement of their pupils. Teacher performance now may be measured on pupil progress, improvements in behaviour management, lesson planning, how effective a Teacher is, and how they may contribute... more
16.04.2013
New Maths curriculum criticised by numeracy charity
The recent Maths curriculum proposed by Education Minister Michael Gove has been criticised by charity National Numeracy.
In the new plans, which will be introduced in schools next year, pupils will have to subtract and add sums to 20 by the age of seven, memorise the times table up to 12 by nine, and divide and multiply fractions, learn decimals and do long division by 11.
The new curriculum hopes to raise standards in both state and private... more
11.04.2013
Spy cameras catch university thieves
Hidden police spy cameras were used to track down two burglars that broke into the halls of residence at the University of Wolverhampton.
The break-in, which took place on March 2nd, involved a 39- and 16-year old climbing through a window and stealing a laptop. However, the police had fortunately installed mini cameras, unique coded dye and motion sensors in the room, meaning that the pair could immediately be recognised and arrested.
Sergeant Andy Padmore, from the Wolverhampton... more