About Us : Policy and Curriculum
Policy Watch
Edexcel Policy Watch is a service that aims to provide anyone with an interest in education and skills with regular, easy to read and simple summaries of education developments. Summaries are generally produced each week on a single sheet and provide informed comment on latest developments in an accessible and relaxed format. You can now sign up to receive the Policy Watches as they come out. Simply send an email to policywatch@edexcel.org.uk, giving us your name, job title, and organisation. We will send all the Policy Watches direct to your inbox as soon as they are issued. The service is open to anyone and currently has over 2000 subscribers.
[2008/52] GCSE results 2008: A postscript on some of the key issues
[2008/51] A level results 2008: A postscript on the key issues
[2008/50] The DCSF reports back on the 14 – 19 qualification strategy
[2008/49] The Government sets out the next steps in reforming the learning and skills system
[2008/48] The Government responds to the Select Committee Inquiry into testing and assessment
[2008/47] The Conservatives sketch out their thoughts on a skills revolution
[2008/46] What’s Going on? An informal guide to the world of education in the 1st half of 2008
[2008/45] SCAAT and UCAS point scores for the 14 - 19 Diploma
[2008/44] The UK Commission for Employment and Skills sets out its initial plan of work
[2008/43] The Lords Economic Affairs Committee considers recent developments in Apprenticeships
[2008/42] A glance down the ‘births, marriages and deaths’ columns of the skills system reveals considerable comings and goings
[2008/41] GCSE and equivalent, and Post-16 SCAAT points – a general guide
[2008/40] The Framework for Excellence prepares to launch for much of the learning and skills sector
[2008/39] ‘Next Steps.’ DCSF/DIUS issue a Progress Report on Ofqual and the new regulatory system
[2008/38] The consultation on a 14 – 19 qualifications strategy closes with developments all round
[2008/37] Skills and training policies post Leitch. The DIUS Select Committee set off to investigate
[2008/36] The Government launches its latest ‘National Challenge’ to raise school standards
[2008/35] Maths: counting the cost. A series of Reports highlight the problems
[2008/34] Arriving with a bang. DCSF and DIUS release their first Annual Reports
[2008/33] Ofsted consults on some changes to school inspections.
[2008/32] The debate on testing and assessment gains two new contributors.
[2008/31] 4 Bills in the recent Draft Legislative Programme to interest education and training
[2008/30] Another Education Bill, another initiative to raise standards
[2008/29] DIUS by numbers. The 2008/9 Business Plan for the Dept for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
[2008/28] As the Select Committee prepares to inquire into the skills agenda, Lord Leitch offers some initial thoughts
[2008/27] If you want to understand education policy, try following the programme of consultations
[2008/26] The latest CBI skills survey comes up with some strong messages.
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2008 | |
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August | |
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 GCSE results 2008[2008/52] GCSE results 2008 |
PDF (47 KB)22/08/2008 |
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A level results 2008 [2008/51] A level results 2008: A postscript on the key issues |
PDF (56 KB) 19/08/2008 |
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Response to the 14 - 19 Qualification Strategy [2008/50] The DCSF reports back on the 14 – 19 qualification strategy |
PDF (45 KB) 19/08/2008 |
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Next Steps in Raising Expectations [2008/49] Next Steps in Raising Expectations |
PDF (61 KB) 12/08/2008 |
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July | |
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Government response on testing [2008/48] The Government responds to the Select Committee Inquiry into testing and assessment |
PDF (48 KB) 12/08/2008 |
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Conservative Skills policy [2008/47] The Conservatives sketch out their thoughts on a skills revolution |
PDF (49 KB) 08/08/2008 |
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WGON 2008 [2008/46] What’s Going on? An informal guide to the world of education in the 1st half of 2008 |
PDF (212 KB) 12/08/2008 |
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SCAAT and UCAS Point scores for 14 - 19 Diplomas [2008/45] SCAAT and UCAS point scores for the 14 - 19 Diploma |
PDF (106 KB) 12/08/2008 |
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UKCES Business Report 2008 [2008/44] The UK Commission for Employment and Skills sets out its initial plan of work |
PDF (46 KB) 18/07/2008 |
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Apprenticeships one year on [2008/43] The Lords Economic Affairs Committee considers recent developments in Apprenticeships |
PDF (48 KB) 18/07/2008 |
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Skills System 2008 [2008/42] A glance down the ‘births, marriages and deaths’ columns of the skills system reveals considerable comings and goings |
PDF (47 KB) 17/07/2008 |
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SCAAT Points - a general guide [2008/41] GCSE and equivalent, and Post-16 SCAAT points – a general guide |
PDF (122 KB) 17/07/2008 |
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FfE prepares to launch [2008/40] The Framework for Excellence prepares to launch for much of the learning and skills sector |
PDF (46 KB) 17/07/2008 |
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Ofqual Progress Report [2008/39] ‘Next Steps.’ DCSF/DIUS issue a Progress Report on Ofqual and the new regulatory system |
PDF (46 KB) 16/07/2008 |
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June | |
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14 - 19 Qualifications Response [2008/38] The consultation on a 14 – 19 qualifications strategy closes with developments all round |
PDF (45 KB) 26/06/2008 |
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Implementing Leitch [2008] Skills and training policies post Leitch. The DIUS Select Committee set off to investigate |
PDF (48 KB) 20/06/2008 |
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National Challenge [2008/36] The Government launches its latest ‘National Challenge’ to raise school standards |
PDF (46 KB) 13/06/2008 |
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Maths Counting the Cost [2008/35] Maths: counting the cost. A series of Reports highlight the problems |
PDF (47 KB) 13/06/2008 |
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DCSF DIUS Annual Reports 2008 [2008/34] Arriving with a bang. DCSF and DIUS release their first Annual Reports |
PDF (46 KB) 05/06/2008 |
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May | |
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New arrangements for school inspections 2008 [2008/33] Ofsted consults on some changes to school inspections |
PDF (45 KB) 30/05/2008 |
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Latest chapter in the testing and assessment debate [2008/32] The debate on testing and assessment gains two new contributors |
PDF (46 KB) 30/05/2008 |
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Draft Legislative Programme 2008 [2008/31] 4 Bills in the recent Draft Legislative Programme to interest education and training |
PDF (49 KB) 23/05/2008 |
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Transforming Schools [2008-30] Another Education Bill, another initiative to raise standards |
PDF (50 KB) 23/05/2008 |
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DIUS by numbers [2008/29] DIUS by numbers. The 2008/9 Business Plan for the Dept for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) |
PDF (54 KB) 23/05/2008 |
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Lord Leitch appears before the Committee [2008/28] As the Select Committee prepares to inquire into the skills agenda, Lord Leitch offers some initial thoughts |
PDF (47 KB) 09/05/2008 |
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Consulting on change [2008/27] If you want to understand education policy, try following the programme of consultations |
PDF (58 KB) 09/05/2008 |
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April | |
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CBI education and skills survey [2008/26] The latest CBI skills survey comes up with some strong messages |
PDF (54 KB) 19/05/2008 |
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High Skills [2008/25] High level skills: a consultation on strengthening England’s high level skill base |
PDF (45 KB) 22/04/2008 |
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Its been a busy month [2008/24] It’s been a busy month of education policy developments. What does it add up to? |
PDF (45 KB) 15/04/2008 |
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14 - 19 Qualification Strategy [2008/23] ‘Promoting achievement, valuing success.’ The DCSF maps out a strategy for 14 – 19 qualifications |
PDF (44 KB) 11/04/2008 |
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March | |
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Trying to understand the latest changes in the learning and skills system [2008/22] Who does what? Trying to understand the latest changes to the learning and skills system |
PDF (54 KB) 28/03/2008 |
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Innovation Nation [2008/21] Innovation Nation: Where does the world of education and skills fit into this latest White Paper? |
PDF (45 KB) 28/03/2008 |
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Raising Expectations White Paper [2008/20] The Raising Expectations White Paper ushers in a new learning and skills system |
PDF (45 KB) 18/03/2008 |
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Budget 2008 [2008/19] Budget 2008. What’s in it for the world of education and skills? |
PDF (54 KB) 14/03/2008 |
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Extended Diploma March 2008 [2008/18] An extended line. Ed Balls announces the introduction of Extended Diplomas |
PDF (44 KB) 14/03/2008 |
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Braced for Change March 2008 [2008/17] Braced for change: the Government sets the themes for the next wave of reviews |
PDF (45 KB) 07/03/2008 |
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February | |
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L2 and 3 stats Feb 2008 [2008/16] Setting the latest level 2 and 3 figures in context |
PDF (45 KB) 29/02/2008 |
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Skills Update Feb 2008 [2008/15] Round up on the skills front |
PDF (45 KB) 29/02/2008 |
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Testing and Assessment Inquiry [2008/14] The latest session of the Select Committee Inquiry into testing and assessment hears some interesting snippets |
PDF (45 KB) 29/02/2008 |
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14 - 19 Funding Paper Feb 2008 [2008/13] ‘New Localism and 14 – 19 Funding: Putting Learner Choice First’ |
PDF (45 KB) 26/02/2008 |
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QCA Annual Review 2007 - 08 [2008/12] QCA’s latest Annual Review signs off on a high |
PDF (45 KB) 14/02/2008 |
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HMC Review of 14 - 19 [2008/11] Independent schools offer some thoughts on 14 – 19 reforms |
PDF (45 KB) 14/02/2008 |
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Brown by design. Gordon Brown’s education and skills policy takes shape [2008/10] Brown by design. Gordon Brown’s education and skills policy takes shape |
PDF (45 KB) 13/02/2008 |
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January | |
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Unlocking Talent [2008/09] Headline writers run riot as the PM announces new skills and employability proposals |
PDF (45 KB) 31/01/2008 |
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More comments on 14 - 19 [2008/08] The 1994 Group of universities comment on the 14 – 19 reforms |
PDF (45 KB) 31/01/2008 |
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HEFCE Grant Letter 2008 [2008-07] Funding and priorities for higher education in the year ahead |
PDF (45 KB) 25/01/2008 |
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Blue Days [2008-06] Still suffering from ‘Blue Monday?’ Look at what else is on the horizon for education and skills in coming weeks |
PDF (44 KB) 25/01/2008 |
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CPA Second Readiing Debate [2008/05] Views come in from all sides as MPs discuss raising the learning age |
PDF (45 KB) 21/01/2008 |
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Diploma Funding 2008 - 9. [2008/4] |
PDF (45 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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14 - 19 and the Childrens Plan [2008/3] The recent 10 year Children’s Plan spells out the bigger picture for 14 – 19 reform |
PDF (45 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Select Committee Inquiry into testing and assessment [2008/2] |
PDF (52 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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New Regulator [2008/1] The Government launches its consultation on a new independent regulator |
PDF (52 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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2007 | |
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Recommended reading [2007/94] |
PDF (51 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Partnering for Success [2007/93] Two Reports look at 14 – 19 partnership preparedness |
PDF (50 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Childrens Plan 2007 [2007/92] The first ever Children’s Plan has messages for the whole education system |
PDF (52 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Train to Gain Plans for Growth [2007/91] Train to Gain sketches out a Plan for Growth up to July 2011 |
PDF (51 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Quality and self regulation in FE 2007 [2007/90] New quality lines being drawn across the learning and skills sector |
PDF (52 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Education and Skills Bill 2007 [2007/89] The Education and Skills Bill makes its first appearance. What’s in it? |
PDF (51 KB) 16/01/2008 |
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Scenario Planning [2007/88] FE: is it back to the drawing board? |
PDF (44 KB) 05/12/2007 |
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14 - 19 collaboration Nov 2007 [2007/87] ‘Insights from Diploma pathfinders.’ Messages from the 14 – 19 front line |
PDF (44 KB) 05/12/2007 |
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All change [2007/86] Making sense of the numbers and targets amongst the sea of change |
PDF (53 KB) 27/11/2007 |
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LSC Grant Letter for 2008 [2007/85] The latest LSC grant letter comes with a battery of figures, targets and expectations |
PDF (43 KB) 21/11/2007 |
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Queens Speech 2007 [2007/84] The latest Education and Skills Bill comes at a significant time for education policy |
PDF (44 KB) 13/11/2007 |
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FET Act 2007 [2007/83] The Further Education and Training Act 2007, now passed, contains important proposals |
PDF (43 KB) 06/11/2007 |
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14 - 19 Balls Oct 2007 Announcement [2007/82] Ed Balls announces some significant new developments to the 14 – 19 reform programme |
PDF (44 KB) 26/10/2007 |
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Ofsted and TUC Reports [2007/81] The gap between the haves and the have nots runs as a theme in the latest Ofsted Annual Report |
PDF (43 KB) 23/10/2007 |
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14 - 19 Select Committee Response Oct 2007 [2007/80] The Government issues its response to the Select Committee Report on 14 – 19 |
PDF (43 KB) 23/10/2007 |
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CSR07 [2007/79] The 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CRS07) and Pre Budget Report (PBR.) 300 pages but what does it mean for education and skills? |
PDF (43 KB) 15/10/2007 |
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Conservative Conference 2007 [2007/78] Did the Conservative Party Conference have anything much to say on education? |
PDF (43 KB) 08/10/2007 |
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Leitch Update Oct 2007 [2007/77] The ‘Leitch’ skills mission: an update two months on from the Implementation Plan |
PDF (44 KB) 08/10/2007 |
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Labour Conference 2007 [2007/76] Education features prominently at this year’s Labour Party Conference |
PDF (44 KB) 01/10/2007 |
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OECD Report 2007 [2007/75] Education at a glance 2007. The OECD’s annual round up of education performance in the 30 member countries |
PDF (44 KB) 01/10/2007 |
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14 - 19 Update Autumn 2007 [2007/74] Catching up with 14 – 19 developments: autumn 2007 |
PDF (43 KB) 24/09/2007 |
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Brown policy taking shape [2007/73] Gordon Brown’s education policy begins to take shape |
PDF (43 KB) 24/09/2007 |
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A busy week on the skills front [2007/72] |
PDF (44 KB) 18/09/2007 |
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Conservative policy proposals [2007/71] The Conservative sketch out policy proposals for education |
PDF (43 KB) 18/09/2007 |
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Whats Going on 2007 First Half [2007/70] What’s Going on? An informal Guide to what happened in the world of education in the 1st half of 2007 |
PDF (170 KB) 13/09/2007 |
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2007 Summer Exam Series Postscript [2007/69] Nearly over for another year. What messages should we draw from this summer’s series of results? |
PDF (44 KB) 13/09/2007 |
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GCSE results 2007 [2007/68] The GCSE results story 2007 |
PDF (53 KB) 24/08/2007 |
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IoD Report 2007 [2007/67] An annual Report on the education system from | |