UKEdNews 16 January 2017 from @UKEdNewsDesk

Daily news briefing from the UKEdNewsdesk, initially published on the UKEdChat App.

Scroll down to read the headlines and extracts.

Funding shake-up risks cuts in most schools, say unions

Government plans designed to address “unfair” and “inconsistent” funding in England’s education system risk cuts in most schools, say teachers’ unions.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38615599

Education secretary’s constituency to lose out in funding changes

Schools in education secretary Justine Greening’s constituency will be among thousands across England suffering steep budget cuts despite the government’s new “fair funding” formula, according to analysis released by six unions.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jan/16/education-secretarys-constituency-lose-out-funding-changes

Council chief execs question need for “disruptive” school reforms

Scotland’s top council officials have told the government that planned reforms to school governance will add bureaucracy and cause disruption with little evidence that it will improve pupils’ education.

Read more at: https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/council-chief-execs-question-need-for-disruptive-school-reforms-1-4340168

Southwark free school in London to close after attracting only 60 pupils

A free school supported by Michael Gove and Boris Johnson against local opposition will abruptly close next month after attracting only 60 pupils since it opened in 2012, and struggling to recruit staff and find a permanent site.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jan/15/southwark-free-school-london-to-close-60-pupils

Oxford University accused of failing to deal with admissions racism

A former higher education minister has accused the University of Oxford of failing to adequately tackle racism caused by an “unconscious bias” against black and disadvantaged applicants.

Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/jan/14/oxford-university-accused-of-failing-to-deal-with-admissions-racism-david-lammy

More than 20,000 university students buying essays and dissertations as Lords call for ban on ‘contract cheating’

The fraudulent essay industry must be outlawed, leading academics and lords have urged as figures obtained by The Telegraph reveal that more than 20,000 students are buying professionally-written essays every year.

Read more at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/01/13/20000-university-students-buying-essays-dissertations-lords/

Mice infestation closes school’s kitchen for more than a week

A school’s kitchen has been closed for more than a week due to a mice infestation. The Cardiff school has seen its kitchen closed since pupils returned to school after the Christmas break.

Read more at: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/mice-infestation-closes-schools-kitchen-12453261

Moderate screen use ‘boosts teen wellbeing’

A study of screen time and mental wellbeing among teenagers has suggested moderate use of devices may be beneficial in a connected world. The researchers collected self-reported data from 120,000 English 15-year-olds about their digital device habits.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38611006

Numerical GCSE grades create confusion

There is widespread confusion about England’s new GCSE grading system, says the exams regulator Ofqual. Starting this summer, GCSE grades A* to G will be phased out in favour of grades numbered from nine to one.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38610802

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