Analysis shows a steady growth in the awarding of higher degree classifications, especially first class degrees, at universities and colleges. This effect was established before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has led to concerns that degrees have lost their value over time. This Insight brief looks at the evidence for this, and at what universities and the Office for Students are doing and plan to do to address the implications for future cohorts of students. The brief does not constitute regulatory advice, but summarises the issue and the actions related to it. To read the posting click here

Suggestions that training spend should be limited to those with the lowest qualifications are misguided, writes Mandy Crawford-Lee

In the past couple of months, there has been some very useful analysis out from the Learning and Work Institute (LWI). This includes one of its most recent reports called ‘Raising the Bar’, on the lack of employer investment in skills. To read the article click here

The letter in the link announces the distribution between providers of £4 million for the 2022-23 financial year to support students affected by the events in Ukraine. It follows the letter of 28 April 2022, which announced a partial and provisional distribution of £2 million, which some providers received in early May 2022.

click here to access the letter

Many thanks to Alan Birks of Click for this article

The Schools Bill includes proposals to ‘strengthen the current Teacher Misconduct Regime to include more educational institutions’. The Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA) can currently only act in respect of misconduct against teachers in schools, academies, sixth form colleges, certain forms of youth accommodation and children’s homes. However, following the response to a consultation held in February, the DfE confirmed that TRA would have its powers extended to post-16 education and training ‘when a suitable legislative opportunity becomes available.

To read the posting click here