education

Industrial Strategy and skills: getting it right this time?

By Andy Westwood Filed Under: British Politics Posted: July 10, 2017

The independent Industrial Strategy Commission has today issued its emerging findings (.pdf). Commissioner Professor Andy Westwood describes why ambition alone won’t be enough for its proposed skills reforms. The Industrial Strategy’s technical education proposals will be the 29th major reform of skills since the 1980s This reflects a long-term UK weaknesses in skills – especially technical […]

What do the general election manifestos mean for higher education?

By Sylvie Lomer Filed Under: All posts, British Politics Posted: June 7, 2017

As people up and down the country prepare to return to the polls for Thursday’s general election, Dr Sylvie Lomer reviews the manifestos and what they mean for higher education policy. The Conservatives want to create institutes of technology and review funding and access to tertiary education Labour would abolish tuition fees, reintroduce maintenance grants […]

Putting an accent on things: The need to clarify speech expectations for British teachers

By Alex Baratta Filed Under: British Politics Posted: June 2, 2017

Dr Alex Baratta writes on the complexities of language, accents, and pronunciation in the classroom. Dr Baratta argues for the standardisation of some elements of pronunciation in teacher training as the best way to balance educational outcomes in learned ‘phonics’ with the protection and celebration of diversity through experience of a variety of accents. Currently, language […]

Could young people show a new way for politics?

By Sarah Marie Hall and Laura Pottinger Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: May 17, 2017

Since the general election was called, there has been an upturn in voter registration amongst the under 25s. Many young people, however, have still not registered and they are considered less likely to vote than older people. But this by no means tells the whole story. Young people are starting to seek new, bolder ways […]

A National Education Service could restore the opportunity of education

By Liam Shields Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: May 15, 2017

Liam Shields, Lecturer in Political Theory at The University of Manchester examines the Labour Party’s manifesto promise to establish a life-long National Education Service which could enhance equality of opportunity throughout the UK. This policy has many parallels with the NHS and the emphasis on opportunities for educational enrichment beyond “school-age” is striking. By including […]

The UK Technifesto

By Vikas Shah Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: May 3, 2017

Inequality in our world is a root cause of many problems, but the strength of technology means it is no longer inevitable, says Vikas Shah. Here he shares his Technifesto for the United Kingdom. Information is now who we are – technology is our primary economic, social and cultural tool It’s an absolute priority to […]

Budget 2017: Productivity is not enough, inclusive growth is the key

By John Wrathmell Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: March 8, 2017

As part of Policy@Manchester’s Budget coverage, John Wrathmell, Head of Strategy for New Economy, asks whether actions will follow Philip Hammond’s promising words on productivity and inclusion. The Prime Minister’s aim of wider inclusion in economic success is an important one Greater Manchester’s work on this agenda underpins the City Region’s approach Productivity is part […]

The Prevent duty: can teachers be judges?

By Bob Hindle Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Ethnicity Posted: December 14, 2016

Prevent is one of the four Ps that make up the government’s post 9/11 counter-terrorism strategy: Prepare for attacks, Protect the public, Pursue the attackers and Prevent their radicalisation in the first place. Bob Hindle looks at how the Prevent duty is applied in schools and colleges and highlights areas of necessary reform. Teacher decision-making […]

School attendance law in the High Court: term-time holidays despite the legal fog?

By Neville Harris Filed Under: All posts Posted: June 27, 2016

Parents of school-age children know all too well that family holiday prices have a tendency to sky rocket during school holiday periods. Most also know, or thought they did, that they could be fined if they took their children out of school without good reason. So there was huge public interest in the recent case […]

Success as a Knowledge Economy? It’s Complicated

By Andy Westwood Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted: May 18, 2016

The Government announced its higher education reform plans this week, publishing a white paper ‘Success as a Knowledge Economy’. But will it really deliver a better deal for students and is it making an already complex system even more so, asks Andy Westwood? Let’s begin with the title. Every part of it is contested in […]