Welcome to our regular round-up of the leading stories in education and schooling in the UK.
Cambridge University to raise the bar
School-leavers will need to get at least an A* and two A grades in their A-levels from next year if they want to study at Cambridge University. The A* grade will be awarded for the first time in 2010 for marks over 90%. The more prestigious universities have been saying for some time that they find it hard to distinguish between the best candidates, with over a quarter of pupils achieving the A grade.
Admissions disputes
One in six pupils in England has been denied a place in their first choice secondary school, with families in Greater London the worst affected (nearly one in two). Many parents and commentators cry foul, pointing at how a number of schools break the rules, whilst others hold the view that the system is too complicated for some parents.
However, it is difficult to see how the system can be any more transparent and it is unlikely that “cheating” on the part of parents or schools can entirely be eradicated. One solution is to lift the overall performance of the struggling state sector, ironing out the discrepancies in quality between schools so that parents have more choice.
There is hope. Innovations such as academies, trust schools or specialist status – often sniped at by both the right and left-wing press – are starting to allow schools greater autonomy, which in turn should nurture more diversity and choice in the school system.
End of the lottery?
Allocating school places by lottery – in effect the local education authorities pulling names out of a hat – is likely to be stopped, mainly due to its widespread unpopularity. 6% of all secondary school places are currently decided by a lottery system.
Changes to the GCSE
From September 2009 structural changes are to be made to the GCSE, the qualification that English students take between the ages of 14 and 16. Coursework is to be phased out and replaced by assessed “modules”, that children can retake if they fail. Removing coursework from the qualification may allow schools more flexibility to integrate pupils part-way through the GCSE course.
The rise of the IGCSE?
One leading private school, Manchester Grammar School, has decided to replace all GCSEs with the international GCSE (also known as the IGCSE). Many private schools have started to adopt the IGCSE in certain subjects as it is deemed more rigorous. Indeed, the head of St Pauls School, a private school in London, recently described the GCSE as "pap". The concern is that it will create a greater divide between the private and state sector, with the latter welded to the GCSE through the national curriculum.
University applications to change
From September 2009 there will be a mini-revolution in university applications made through the central body, UCAS. Candidates are to be allowed to apply on the basis of actual, achieved grades rather than predicted grades, with the intention that all applications will be handled like this within three years.
A survey of predicted grades has shown that they are wrong 55% of the time, the failure more heavily weighted towards those predicted within the state sector. The idea is that universities will get a more accurate idea of a student’s capabilities, and that pupils from poorer backgrounds (who are often deterred from applying to the better universities) will have more confidence in doing so.
In the short-term, however, there is likely to be some confusion and disappointment as the system beds in.
University fees to rise?
A BBC survey of university vice-chancellors shows that most feel that student fees - currently capped at £3500 - need to rise sharply. The government has delayed a decision on future plans until 2010, unsurprising given the levels of opposition when they were first introduced in 2004.
International schools update
Are the international schools experiencing less pressure on places this year more, compared to the heavy traffic of the last three years? Formally, with the re-enrollment process still underway, this is difficult to assert with any confidence. Informally, there does seem to be a little more flexibility in the system. The advice remains that applications need to be made as soon as possible.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Thursday, 5 February 2009
February 09: Is the recession biting?
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2009, our regular run-down of the key education news stories of the moment.
Recession proof?
Is the recession opening up more spaces in schools for relocating families? That seems to be the assumption of many families that we have been helping since the turn of the year.
Without doubt schools have been feeling the squeeze – ten have recently closed, six have been forced into mergers and three have decided to move into the state sector. The UK government is considering “nationalising” struggling private schools.
But is there greater availability? Not yet. International schools say applications are currently holding up and English schools don’t seem to be experiencing any churn in families.
A key time will be Easter - the last date that parents can pull their children from a private school without financial penalty. Also, will the schools force up their fees at the rate of recent years (6% on average last year, over 30% over the last five years). If they do there may be a parental backlash.
In the end it may come down to parental responsibilities – a poll of our families shows that over 90% see school stability as their chief priority alongside paying the mortgage or rent.
New league tables released
The new league tables for secondary school performance in the 2008 public examinations have been released. Because of the mistakes in the marking of the primary school, Year 6 SATs, the release date for these is as yet unconfirmed.
Home education under the microscope
Many relocating families – especially those on short assignments – consider home education as an alternative to placing their children in a school. Although no official statistics, estimates places over 50,000 children being taught outside of mainstream schools. To date this has required no more than a call to the local education authority to advise them that this is happening. However, there are now plans to fully review home education to ensure that children receive an appropriate education, which may herald new regulation in this field.
Spiralling costs of state schooling
The cost of sending a child to a state secondary has risen to nearly £1,200 a year, as the price of uniforms, school trips and lunches has rocketed, according to new research.
The research found that families are increasingly struggling to pay for everything their child's school requests. In 2003, 27% said they found it difficult. This has now risen to 40%.
Fee cap decision delayed
The decision on whether to increase the university “top-up” fee in England – currently just over £3000 a year – has been delayed until 2010, probably to keep this political hot potato cool until after the next General Election.
Grammar schools
Many parents are now interested in grammar schools as a long-term, low-cost education option.
Grammar school are state secondary schools that select their pupils based on academic merit – with children sitting a competitive, “11+” examination. The schools tend to have much stronger academic profiles than ordinary, non-selective state schools. Only a minority of England's education authorities offer a grammar school option.
However parents may be underestimating the level of competition for places and that just moving to a grammar school area will not guarantee success. In a small education authority, such as Kingston in south London, 40% of pupils who sit the test obtain a place. In a larger county, such as Kent, only a quarter of pupils gain entry.
Recession proof?
Is the recession opening up more spaces in schools for relocating families? That seems to be the assumption of many families that we have been helping since the turn of the year.
Without doubt schools have been feeling the squeeze – ten have recently closed, six have been forced into mergers and three have decided to move into the state sector. The UK government is considering “nationalising” struggling private schools.
But is there greater availability? Not yet. International schools say applications are currently holding up and English schools don’t seem to be experiencing any churn in families.
A key time will be Easter - the last date that parents can pull their children from a private school without financial penalty. Also, will the schools force up their fees at the rate of recent years (6% on average last year, over 30% over the last five years). If they do there may be a parental backlash.
In the end it may come down to parental responsibilities – a poll of our families shows that over 90% see school stability as their chief priority alongside paying the mortgage or rent.
New league tables released
The new league tables for secondary school performance in the 2008 public examinations have been released. Because of the mistakes in the marking of the primary school, Year 6 SATs, the release date for these is as yet unconfirmed.
Home education under the microscope
Many relocating families – especially those on short assignments – consider home education as an alternative to placing their children in a school. Although no official statistics, estimates places over 50,000 children being taught outside of mainstream schools. To date this has required no more than a call to the local education authority to advise them that this is happening. However, there are now plans to fully review home education to ensure that children receive an appropriate education, which may herald new regulation in this field.
Spiralling costs of state schooling
The cost of sending a child to a state secondary has risen to nearly £1,200 a year, as the price of uniforms, school trips and lunches has rocketed, according to new research.
The research found that families are increasingly struggling to pay for everything their child's school requests. In 2003, 27% said they found it difficult. This has now risen to 40%.
Fee cap decision delayed
The decision on whether to increase the university “top-up” fee in England – currently just over £3000 a year – has been delayed until 2010, probably to keep this political hot potato cool until after the next General Election.
Grammar schools
Many parents are now interested in grammar schools as a long-term, low-cost education option.
Grammar school are state secondary schools that select their pupils based on academic merit – with children sitting a competitive, “11+” examination. The schools tend to have much stronger academic profiles than ordinary, non-selective state schools. Only a minority of England's education authorities offer a grammar school option.
However parents may be underestimating the level of competition for places and that just moving to a grammar school area will not guarantee success. In a small education authority, such as Kingston in south London, 40% of pupils who sit the test obtain a place. In a larger county, such as Kent, only a quarter of pupils gain entry.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
November 2008 news
Welcome to Dean Associates’ run-down of the top education stories over the past month.
End of SATs for 14 year olds
The government’s decision to scrap official testing of 14-year-olds in England - the Key Stage 3 SATs - has been generally welcomed by the education community. It has also increased calls to scrap the tests that 11-year-olds take in the final year of primary school – one of the key statistics parents can use to evaluate school performance. Read more:
Scottish independent schools charity status questioned
Four Scottish independent schools have been told that they must implement changes to maintain their charitable status. The majority of private schools across the UK have charitable status, giving them significant tax advantages – but in return they must provide a wider public benefit. The decision will generate new calls to make private schools across the UK work harder to hold onto their charitable position. Read more:
Recession threatens prep schools
A leading conference of prep (junior, private) school headmasters has discussed the likelihood that a number of smaller schools will be forced to close or merge during the up-coming recession as parents face a financial squeeze. Read more:
"Chaos" in schools admissions
Over half of primary schools have been accused of not following the new schools admissions code that the government introduced last year. Some of the “mistakes” have included not giving priority to children in social care, interviewing parents, asking for a financial contribution and not defining “distance from school to home” precisely. It could mean much closer inspection of this year's admissions process. Read more:
Big changes planned for universities
The government are suggesting a series of major reforms for the higher education sector – including changing the traditional academic year, reforming degree classification and allowing more flexibility in studies. An initial report has been released to encourage debate prior to a review of “top up” fees due next year.
Read more:
Schools now offering the Cambridge Pre-U
The first wave of schools has begun teaching the new Cambridge Pre-U qualification. There are now fifty schools – independent and state – offering the qualification. The Pre U can be taken as individual subjects or as a diploma – three subjects, independent research and a series of seminars of practical problems facing the world. It has been developed in response to universities’ doubts over the rigour of the English A Level system.
Dean Associates news
Dean Associates has been recognised by BP for the value of its education support to their relocating families.
We are preparing a new “parents newsletter” to keep the families up-to-date with key education news and deadlines, as well as top stories from their home countries that could impact on future relocations.
We are pleased to announce the arrival of Sarah Heaton at Dean Associates. Sarah is an expert on nurseries and state schooling.
For more information, contact Nathaniel Price at nathaniel@deanassociates.co.uk or +44 1646 661 646.
End of SATs for 14 year olds
The government’s decision to scrap official testing of 14-year-olds in England - the Key Stage 3 SATs - has been generally welcomed by the education community. It has also increased calls to scrap the tests that 11-year-olds take in the final year of primary school – one of the key statistics parents can use to evaluate school performance. Read more:
Scottish independent schools charity status questioned
Four Scottish independent schools have been told that they must implement changes to maintain their charitable status. The majority of private schools across the UK have charitable status, giving them significant tax advantages – but in return they must provide a wider public benefit. The decision will generate new calls to make private schools across the UK work harder to hold onto their charitable position. Read more:
Recession threatens prep schools
A leading conference of prep (junior, private) school headmasters has discussed the likelihood that a number of smaller schools will be forced to close or merge during the up-coming recession as parents face a financial squeeze. Read more:
"Chaos" in schools admissions
Over half of primary schools have been accused of not following the new schools admissions code that the government introduced last year. Some of the “mistakes” have included not giving priority to children in social care, interviewing parents, asking for a financial contribution and not defining “distance from school to home” precisely. It could mean much closer inspection of this year's admissions process. Read more:
Big changes planned for universities
The government are suggesting a series of major reforms for the higher education sector – including changing the traditional academic year, reforming degree classification and allowing more flexibility in studies. An initial report has been released to encourage debate prior to a review of “top up” fees due next year.
Read more:
Schools now offering the Cambridge Pre-U
The first wave of schools has begun teaching the new Cambridge Pre-U qualification. There are now fifty schools – independent and state – offering the qualification. The Pre U can be taken as individual subjects or as a diploma – three subjects, independent research and a series of seminars of practical problems facing the world. It has been developed in response to universities’ doubts over the rigour of the English A Level system.
Dean Associates news
Dean Associates has been recognised by BP for the value of its education support to their relocating families.
We are preparing a new “parents newsletter” to keep the families up-to-date with key education news and deadlines, as well as top stories from their home countries that could impact on future relocations.
We are pleased to announce the arrival of Sarah Heaton at Dean Associates. Sarah is an expert on nurseries and state schooling.
For more information, contact Nathaniel Price at nathaniel@deanassociates.co.uk or +44 1646 661 646.
Monday, 6 October 2008
September 2008 News
Here is our monthly digest of the top education stories for internationally mobile families and their employers. From September 2008:
School fees rise again
Dean Associates’ recent survey of English independent school fees showed an average rise of nearly 6 per cent from the last academic year. Over the last five years, school fees have risen, on average, by a little over 33 per cent.
University “top up” fees inadequate
Vice-chancellors in English universities have stated that the “top up” fee that each student must pay – currently £3000 – is not sufficient to meet the rising cost of higher education. They say that it is inevitable that fees will rise when a cap on fees is lifted in 2009. There has been a new rigour in which universities inspect the “home fee” credentials of British families overseas, perhaps a knock-on effect of the financial situation.
New diplomas launched
2008 heralds a small revolution in education in England with the launch of the Diploma programme. Diplomas are to work alongside the existing GCSE and A Level curriculums, allowing students to study skills that have vocational relevance. Five areas have been launched in September 2008, with five more to come in 2009 and more in following years. 20,000 students are starting the courses this year, half the number that the government expected.
School age rise to 17
Children starting secondary schools in England in September will be the first to be legally required to stay in education until they are 17. This will rise to 18 in the next couple of years. Children do no necessarily need to be in school, and could look at vocational training as an alternative to the classroom.
New A* grade
The new academic year also welcomes the new A* grade at A Level, a new ruse to help universities pick out the brightest students. At the same time, the International Baccalaureate dipoma – seen by many university tutors as a better guide to ability than the A Levels – is more widely available than before. Over 130 private and state schools now offer the IB Diploma across the UK.
New “academies” opened
Nearly fifty new “academies” have opened in England in September 2008. Academies are state run schools established in partnership with privately run institutions – for example businesses, universities or faith groups. One of the main aims is to provide stronger schools for pupils in deprived areas. There are now 130 academy schools in England with more to follow.
School fees rise again
Dean Associates’ recent survey of English independent school fees showed an average rise of nearly 6 per cent from the last academic year. Over the last five years, school fees have risen, on average, by a little over 33 per cent.
University “top up” fees inadequate
Vice-chancellors in English universities have stated that the “top up” fee that each student must pay – currently £3000 – is not sufficient to meet the rising cost of higher education. They say that it is inevitable that fees will rise when a cap on fees is lifted in 2009. There has been a new rigour in which universities inspect the “home fee” credentials of British families overseas, perhaps a knock-on effect of the financial situation.
New diplomas launched
2008 heralds a small revolution in education in England with the launch of the Diploma programme. Diplomas are to work alongside the existing GCSE and A Level curriculums, allowing students to study skills that have vocational relevance. Five areas have been launched in September 2008, with five more to come in 2009 and more in following years. 20,000 students are starting the courses this year, half the number that the government expected.
School age rise to 17
Children starting secondary schools in England in September will be the first to be legally required to stay in education until they are 17. This will rise to 18 in the next couple of years. Children do no necessarily need to be in school, and could look at vocational training as an alternative to the classroom.
New A* grade
The new academic year also welcomes the new A* grade at A Level, a new ruse to help universities pick out the brightest students. At the same time, the International Baccalaureate dipoma – seen by many university tutors as a better guide to ability than the A Levels – is more widely available than before. Over 130 private and state schools now offer the IB Diploma across the UK.
New “academies” opened
Nearly fifty new “academies” have opened in England in September 2008. Academies are state run schools established in partnership with privately run institutions – for example businesses, universities or faith groups. One of the main aims is to provide stronger schools for pupils in deprived areas. There are now 130 academy schools in England with more to follow.
Monday, 15 September 2008
The rise and rise of the church school
The first state-maintained Hindu school opened this week in Edgware, north London. The Church of England is set to become the biggest sponsor of the Labour government’s “academy” programme.
Across the UK, there are now schools run by a range of faiths, especially at primary level. The Church of England and the Roman Catholic churches have the biggest stakes, but there are seven Muslim schools and over thirty Jewish schools. Education and religion seem to be intertwined.
Does this matter? After all, the Anglican and Catholic churches have long played an active role in establishing and managing schools in the UK.
Those for the growth in faith schools see them widening parental choice and driving up standards by taking the day-to-day management out of government’s hands. It has been claimed that children in a church school can be a year ahead of their peers in a community primary school.
Many see church schools as socially divisive. Not just by potentially “ghetto-ising” religious groups but also because many Anglican and Catholic church schools seem to take pupils from a mainly middle-class background, effectively making them selective.
What is apparent is that faith schools have support of both the government and the church communities that they serve.
Across the UK, there are now schools run by a range of faiths, especially at primary level. The Church of England and the Roman Catholic churches have the biggest stakes, but there are seven Muslim schools and over thirty Jewish schools. Education and religion seem to be intertwined.
Does this matter? After all, the Anglican and Catholic churches have long played an active role in establishing and managing schools in the UK.
Those for the growth in faith schools see them widening parental choice and driving up standards by taking the day-to-day management out of government’s hands. It has been claimed that children in a church school can be a year ahead of their peers in a community primary school.
Many see church schools as socially divisive. Not just by potentially “ghetto-ising” religious groups but also because many Anglican and Catholic church schools seem to take pupils from a mainly middle-class background, effectively making them selective.
What is apparent is that faith schools have support of both the government and the church communities that they serve.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Winning the Lottery
Applying for a school place is a tense time for most parents, especially in the state sector.
There are a limited number of strong schools in the state sector across the UK and a lot of families chasing places in them. Only 7% of pupils in the UK attend a private school.
A new approach to allocate places has just been piloted in a number of areas across England – deciding by "lottery". Families apply for their preferred school as usual but when that school is oversubscribed, names are pulled out of a hat to decide who goes and who doesn't.
The lottery's main strength is that it removes the tendency for wealthier parents to group around the better schools, pushing out poorer families. Some argue that this "postcode education" is harming social cohesion.
Those who argue against note that it removes parental choice – a key theme of the government’s education policy - as well as pushing many families into the private sector. Independent schools in Brighton – where state secondary places have been decided by lottery for the first time this year – say that they saw a huge rise in applications this year.
The government's argument is that admissions policy is a red herring. The key to provide parents with choice and to heal society is to ensure that all schools are performing well. However, that is proving easier to say, than achieve.
There are a limited number of strong schools in the state sector across the UK and a lot of families chasing places in them. Only 7% of pupils in the UK attend a private school.
A new approach to allocate places has just been piloted in a number of areas across England – deciding by "lottery". Families apply for their preferred school as usual but when that school is oversubscribed, names are pulled out of a hat to decide who goes and who doesn't.
The lottery's main strength is that it removes the tendency for wealthier parents to group around the better schools, pushing out poorer families. Some argue that this "postcode education" is harming social cohesion.
Those who argue against note that it removes parental choice – a key theme of the government’s education policy - as well as pushing many families into the private sector. Independent schools in Brighton – where state secondary places have been decided by lottery for the first time this year – say that they saw a huge rise in applications this year.
The government's argument is that admissions policy is a red herring. The key to provide parents with choice and to heal society is to ensure that all schools are performing well. However, that is proving easier to say, than achieve.
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