Monthly Archives: November 2011

The price of a University drop-out 4: Time for some numbers.

TweetIn the last post, we worked out the cost weight of a non-completion when it comes to public-funding, and the different variable factors that can send this cost sky-rocketing. But, it’s key to look at the effect on different institutions, … Continue reading

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Question: Who gets the money docked from the striking teachers?

TweetOn Nov. 30, two million public sector workers are expected to go on strike. Many on the picket lines will be teachers protesting changes to their pension plan. On Twitter,  @schoolgate asked, “Who gets the money docked from the striking teachers? … Continue reading

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Links/Data: Ofsted’s 2011 annual report and Schools Minister response

TweetThe Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), the education watchdog, has released its annual report and found too many schools are “not pushing children to reach their potential,” says the BBC.

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The price of a University drop-out 3: Exactly how much is each student worth?

TweetIn the last post, we looked into how HEFCE derive predicted non-completion figures year on year so that when we unwrap the data we know what we’re looking at. But, in order to figure out the wider effect on Universities, … Continue reading

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Data: National Audit Office assess support for young adults with SEN

TweetThe National Audit Office (NAO) have released a report assessing the provision available to young adults who have special educational needs. The report reveals a postcode lottery and advises ministers that by providing more appropriate support they can enable young … Continue reading

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Investigating the special education system 2: what the data shows

TweetThis summer, the Department for Education (DfE) provided a statistical breakdown of special education system. The data throws up some interesting points, here’s two: 1)      The number of children granted statements of special educational need has decreased steadily over the past four … Continue reading

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Links: Public Accounts Committee on how funding is allocated

TweetFrom the BBC: “Under the system of formula-based grants, funding given to schools with similar needs could vary by up to 40%, the Public Accounts Committee said.

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Data: Free Schools and disadvantaged children

TweetSchoolDuggery has published some data on free school meals: “We estimate that fewer than 400 children entitled to free school meals (FSM) are attending the first wave of free schools, according to data supplied under a Freedom of Information Act … Continue reading

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Help Me Investigate Education is now on Twitter

TweetWe’re now on Twitter! Make sure you follow @HMIeducation for the latest posts, investigations, and news regarding education in the UK.

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Data: Free schools taking fewer deprived students

TweetYesterday, the Guardian reported that free schools are taking lower numbers of deprived students. The BBC defines free schools as schools “set up by groups of parents, teachers, charities, businesses, universities, trusts, religious or voluntary groups, but funded directly by central government.” The … Continue reading

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New education data promised on pupils’ progress

TweetWriting in today’s Telegraph David Cameron announced plans to release new education data detailing rates of pupils’ academic progression. In an effort to tackle what he labels “coasting schools” – comprehensives in middle class areas which are failing to push … Continue reading

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How-to: find out academy charity salaries

TweetHere’s a lesson in how to investigate salaries surrounding academy schools: a Guardian report that “Charities that run chains of academy schools are using public funds to pay senior staff six-figure salaries, with some on £240,000 or more.” It arrived at that figure … Continue reading

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