Category Archives: Education
Science Minister supports ‘ring-fencing’ of cash for research
Following the Chancellor’s budget announcements last week, David Willets, Minister of State for Science and Innovation, has taken part in a Radio 4 live debate about the effects of the spending review on the research budget. He was joined on … Continue reading
Lord Browne proposes ‘Free Market’ for university fees
The eagerly awaited Browne Review – ‘an independent review on higher education funding and student finance’ – was released this morning. Browne’s boldest proposal suggests that the current tuition fee ‘cap’ should be lifted, with universities allowed to charge up … Continue reading
The future of Higher Education funding
Today’s meeting of the BES Education Policy Lunchbox focused on issues arising from expected changes to the current university fees regime. Bahram Bekhradnia, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) provided an overview of the likely consequences of proposals … Continue reading
Science Education for the Future
The BES Policy Team this afternoon attended a meeting of Education Policy Lunchbox, a new network for those working in education policy which has arisen from the successful Policy Lunchbox series of meetings. Policy Lunchbox and Education Policy Lunchbox are … Continue reading
BES Successfully Lobbies OFQUAL for Change to GCSE Criteria
Ofqual, together with its regulatory partners in Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA), has published new subject criteria for GCSE science subjects: science, additional science, additional applied science, biology, chemistry and physics. All awarding organisations wishing to offer GCSE science … Continue reading
Evolution to join the National Curriculum
The Government has announced that the teaching of evolution will be a legal requirement in science teaching at primary schools from September 2011, although it will be left to schools to decide how it is done. The new curriculum is … Continue reading
Supporting Field Work Training for Teachers
The BES Policy Team yesterday attended a briefing event in parliament, run by the Field Studies Council and chaired by Phil Willis MP, chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. “Helping the next generation of teachers to … Continue reading
Lord Mandelson Sets out Vision for Universities in UK
Lord Mandelson is to set out the Government’s plan for the future of universities today, with a statement to the House of Commons expected at 3pm. Lord Mandelson is expected to emphasise the Government’s desire to build greater links between … Continue reading
Enthusing Teachers to Boost A’Level Science
A new report published today by the National Science Learning Centre shows that ‘Project Enthuse’, a £30 million partnership between Government, industry and the Wellcome Trust, has had a positive impact on science teaching in the UK. Project Enthuse provides … Continue reading
Policy Lunchbox: A Vision for the Society of Biology
At today’s Policy Lunchbox meeting we were fortunate to be joined by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, inaugural President of the Society of Biology. Over the course of the hour Professor Rothwell provided brief background information on the formation of the … Continue reading