News
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Tue, 11 Jun 2019
Adult Learning Technology Innovation Fund
The Government is investing £5 million to encourage technology companies to develop cutting-edge solutions, utilising AI and automation, to improve the quality of online learning for adults.
Thu, 30 May 2019
The Augar Review of Post-18 Education
This government review, led by Philip Augar, aims to consider the roles HE and FE should play in meeting the country’s social and economic needs, how they fit together, how they should be funded and whether they are delivering value for students and taxpayers.
Wed, 29 May 2019
T levels - what maths teachers need to know
The new ‘T levels’ (Technical Levels) are two-year technical programmes that combine study and workplace experience, and provide a vocational alternative to A levels. Ten General Mathematical Competences (GMCs) have been specified to cover the mathematics required for the full range of courses.
Thu, 16 May 2019
Digital functional skills qualifications: subject content
The government has published a consultation document that asks questions on the proposed content for new digital functional skills qualifications, which are set to replace ICT functional skills qualifications from 2021. Make sure you have your say!
Tue, 14 May 2019
New Ofsted inspection framework
Ofsted has published the outcome of the consultation on its new education inspection framework, which will take effect from September 2019.
The new Post-16 Phonics Approaches Toolkit from the Education and Training Foundation is now available to download from the Excellence Gateway website. The toolkit introduces resources created specifically for adult learners, explains how to put post-16 phonics approaches into practice in different settings, and explores how to adjust pace and sequence.
Plans launched to boost digital skills for adults
New essential digital skills qualifications will be available from 2020, and digital Functional Skills qualifications from 2021. The new qualifications will be fully funded up to Level 1 for anyone over the age of 19.
Free ESOL courses for Londoners
The Greater London Authority is planning to provide free English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) courses up to the level required for British citizenship.
Post-16 Education and Apprenticeship Levy Funding
NCFE and the Campaign for Learning have launched a new paper, ‘Post-16 Education and Apprenticeship Levy Funding: next steps for English devolution’ - a volume of expert pieces that consider the future of the post-16 education and training budget from a devolution perspective.
Institutes of Technology announced
The government has named the first 12 Institutes of Technology, which it says will be unique collaborations between universities, FE colleges, and employers including Nissan, Siemens and Microsoft. They will specialise in delivering higher level technical training at level four and five in STEM subjects, including digital, advanced manufacturing and engineering.
The Government's Education Technology strategy identifies five areas of opportunity where technology can be used to bring about a step change in education, and has a delivery target date of 2021.
Centres for Excellence in Maths
The Centres for Excellence in Maths programme is a national improvement project aimed at delivering a step change in maths teaching up to Level 2 in post-16 settings. This is being undertaken in a range of ways, including the establishment of 21 Centres for Excellence in Maths.
Functional Skills Qualifications
This update from Ofqual outlines how functional skills qualifications in maths and English are being reformed, and provides up-to-date information on the progress the reformed qualifications have made through the technical evaluation process.
This free course from OpenLearn will help you explore how employment affects mental health and what can be done to support people in finding and keeping work.
Working with ESOL parents through storytelling
This practice exemplar from Glasgow Clyde College shows how a partnership approach helped parents, for whom English is a second or other language, to gain practical skills and knowledge to more effectively engage in their children’s learning through storytelling.
Disadvantaged families to benefit from free early learning apps
Parents will benefit from interactive learning tools and text message tips to support children’s early language and literacy at home, as part of a society-wide push to make sure children start school ready to learn.
2019 Books Unlocked reading list announced
The prison reading programme, Books Unlocked, has announced the 10 books that participants will have available to read in 2019. Books Unlocked provides free copies of Man Booker Prize-shortlisted titles for participants in UK prisons to read, discuss and keep.
Getting Skills Right: Future-Ready Adult Learning Systems
Many countries need to urgently scale-up and upgrade their adult learning systems to help people adapt to the future world of work, according to a new OECD report.
Maths and English condition of funding
From academic year 2019 to 2020, full time students with a grade 2 or below in maths or English can choose to study towards functionalskills level 2 or a GCSE grade 9 to 4. This also applies to part time students who have a grade 3 or grade D GCSE.
Yes We Can Read: a phonics-based programme to develop reading skills
Yes We Can Read is a phonics-based programme developed to teach adult learners to read. The unique photo-alphabet and accessible format make it particularly helpful for learners with dyslexia. Skills for Life Network subscribers benefit from 10% discount on this and on everything from the publisher, Gatehouse Books.
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