About Us : Policy and Curriculum
Education Policy Briefing Papers
Old Education Policy Briefing Papers, dating back to 2005 are kept here. These have now been replaced by the Edexcel Policy Watch service.
A summary of education issues facing the new team at the DfES.
A simple chapter by chapter summary of the main proposals in the recent Skills White Paper.
A Chapter by Chapter Guide of how it has moved on from Tomlinson.
An A-Z Guide to Developments in the World of Education and Training for the Period: Jul 04 – Dec 04
An outline of the state of play in four of the Government’s key education strategies and to identify possible developments for each in 2005.
To provide a commentary and section by section summary of the Final Report from
the Working Group on 14 – 19 Reform
the Working Group on 14 – 19 Reform
Summary of the main findings and recommendations from the recent ‘Schwartz’ Report on good practice for fair admissions to HE.
A summary of the recent Report from the Foundation Degree Task Force.
A summary of a Report by an ex-college Principal on fee policies and practices in FE
To identify the new PSA targets for education and skills over the next three years set as part of the recent Spending Review.
To identify the progress that has been made in the first year of the Skills Strategy based on the various papers released to mark its first anniversary.
To summarise the main details in this LSC consultation paper on a proposed new fees framework for adult learners in FE.
This briefing paper is the latest in the series of What's Going On Guides that provide an informal, informative and accessible A-Z overview of current developments in education and training.
To provide a summary of the main features of the DfES Five – Year Strategy and to analyse some of the implications
To summarise the recent joint paper from the DfES/Ofsted outlining a new relationship with schools and to identify the main features of such a relationship.
To summarise some of the recent speeches and announcements about FE and to identify the key themes
To provide a summary of some of the main changes in the latest LSC funding guidance for Further Education in 2004/5
To tease out what is meant by the current overworked phrase ‘personalised learning’ and to consider, in the light of a recent pamphlet by Demos on the personalisation of public services, where personalised learning fits in to this wider reform movement.
This report provides a contextual summary of the key issues in Volume 1 of this annual series of LSC Reports on Skills in England. This one covers the state of play up to the end of 2003
To identify some initial reactions to the Tomlinson 14 – 19 Interim Report and to examine the wider context for change at this stage.
To summarise the recent information from the LSC on the criteria to be used when assessing the eligibility of FE providers for premium – related and inflation – only funding
A contextual analysis of, and chapter-by-chapter guide to, the recent Report from the Tomlinson Working Group on 14–19 reform.
Looks at the big 4 education strategies, 14 - 19, FE,HE and Skills, at the start of what may be a momentous year for each and identifies the current state of play in each and what developments we should expect to see over the coming months.
Summary of the recent progress report from the DfES/LSC on the first year of Success for All, the strategy aimed at enhancing the post 16 learning and skills sector
Summary of some of the major responses to the initial proposals put forward for reform of 14 – 19 learning and qualifications and to try and identify some of the main themes emerging
A summary of the findings from the recent QAA ‘overview’ report on early Foundation degrees
A summary of the recent guidance from QCA on the proposed changes to the key stage 4 curriculum and the steps schools might need to take in implementing them
A summary of the recent Progress Report from the DfES on Foundation Degrees
A summary of the main findings and recommendations from this second major evaluation of the Centre for Vocational Excellence programme
A summary of the recent QCA 'positional' report on the review of the vocational qualifications system and to highlight the next steps proposed
A summary of the main proposals in the DfES’s current proposed strategy for e- learning, highlighting some of the issues involved.
An interpretation of some of the policy issues arising out of this summer’s exam results and their treatment by the press.
Summarising the Government’s recently-published Commentary, their proposals for future action, and some of the main themes emerging from individual responses to the White Paper.
Providing a summary of the recently-released national Skills Strategy.
To summarise the main proposals from the Tomlinson 14-19 Working Group initial report on principles for reform.
Summarising the main findings and recommendations from the recent Report into the HE White Paper by the House of Commons Education and Skills Committee.
Summary of the main points from the recent report on trends in supply and demand for HE up to 2010.
The main proposals in the recent consultation document on proposed changes to key stage 4.
A brief summary of a recent research report on the Scottish experience of developing HE through FE.
Summarises the funding allocations and budgetary procedures for Further Education in 2003/4, as set out in the recent LSC Guidance Paper
Summarises the main messages about how to implement HE in FE from two recently released HEFCE Circulars.
Details of the two recent DfES Papers outlining the progress being made and the evidence being collected for the proposed national Skills Strategy.
Contains the main details in the Higher Education Funding Council for England's draft strategic plan for 2003 - 2008.
Explores how the White Paper on the future of HE has been received and what significant developments and comments have occurred.
Government's recent Paper on changes to secondary schools proposes further round of reform to structure of secondary education.
'Chapter by chapter' summary of the recent White Paper, also considering the context within which the proposals are presented.
Main proposals in the government's recent 14-19 strategy paper are summarised in this briefing paper and their implications considered.
Summary of LSDA research report exploring the different funding arrangements and significance of FE provision at level 4 and above.
A summary of the main details in the Strategy Unit Report on adult skills, outlining the action plan provided for workforce development for the rest of the decade.
An outline of the main features of the proposed new Strategic Area Review process, due to be introduced for all LSC funded provision from April 2003
This briefing paper outlines the main findings and recommendations from the recent independent research report into the progress of the CoVE pathfinders.
This briefing paper summarises the Secretary of State's recent letter confirming the LSC's budget and priorities for 2003/4 and the main proposals in the LSC's recently released Corporate Plan.
This paper summarises the major issues highlighted and questions raised in the Secretary of State’s recently released collection of discussion papers on higher education.
Provides a step by step guide to the recommendations and proposals in the recent Tomlinson Inquiry into A levels and highlights the background to the main issues.
Interest in the Bac has grown recently, partly as a result of the wider debate about a 14-19 framework and partly as a reaction to the Tomlinson Report on A Levels.
Summarises the main proposals in the recently announced 3 year Strategy for FE and to highlight the implications in terms of activity, funding and timescales.
Nearly three years on from the original announcement on the foundation degree, considerable uncertainty remains about the relative positioning between it and the HN programmes.
Outlines the main proposals from the recent Report on Bureaucracy in FE and to assess the implications for colleges.
The Education Act 2002 converts into legislative form many of the proposals in the September 2001 White Paper 'Schools: Achieving Success' and deals mainly with school matters including governance, organisation and teachers' conditions of service.
The recent report of the Post 16 E-Learning Strategy Task Force contains 4 'key' recommendations including positioning ICT as the third basic skill and creating a College Online by autumn 2003.
This briefing paper summarises the main details of the government's spending plans for 2003-6.
A Discussion Document from the DfES on a new strategy for Further Education signals a further period of consultation for FE.
A recent five yearly review of QCA took place between January and June 2002. Stage one covers functions and remit and stage two looks at management and organisation.
The purpose of the guide is to provide an overview of the main bodies working in the learning and skills environment.
The recent DfES Green Paper on 14-19 education proposes a three-stage framework ending with a Matriculation Diploma at 19.
Workforce development has now become a central issue in the public policy agenda.
An independent panel was called in last year by QCA to look at the whole issue of quality assurance in A levels following concern over declining standards.
The HEFCE recently reported on trends in supply and demand in HE, providing an overview of the trends, the drivers of student demand, the impact and future action.
UfI's proposed strategic plan adopts five objectives to be achieved by 2005 and contains proposed targets, indicators, a marketing framework and a technology forecast.
This is the third of four Circulars on funding particularly aimed at helping colleges make the transition from the FEFC to the LSC funding model.
The Secretary of State's Grant Letter to the Learning and Skills Council Chairman sets out the government's priorities and funding allocations for the LSC for the coming financial year.
By March 2002, a new network of employer organisations, Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), will replace NTOs.
This is a comprehensive Report that will do much to support the government’s aim of enhancing the apprenticeship route.
The report was released in October and provides recommendations for government and the LSC on a 3 year action plan for apprenticeship development.
The report covers issues from the Employers' Skills Summit, including the important announcement that NTOs would be replaced by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs).
QCA's Phase One Report was published in July 2001, following a review of the implementation of Curriculum 2000. Issues raised for immediate action include rationalisation of the exam timetable and a reduction in the requirements for key skills.
Centres of Vocational Excellence provide a significant opportunity to enhance the nature and provision of vocational education and training. 16 Pathfinders have been announced, starting from September 2001 and will be used to identify models and disseminate good practice.
A Simple Guide to how it will work under the Learning and Skills Councils.
