Education

The University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) has announced a major change: it will replace the traditional personal statement with a new format involving responses to three specific questions. This change aims to "level the playing field" for all higher education applicants. Following extensive consultations with students, universities, and education experts, UCAS has chosen these three questions to ensure that applicants from all backgrounds clearly understand what universities and colleges are seeking: Why do you want to study this course or subject? How have your qualifications and studies prepared you for this course or subject? What additional experiences outside of education have prepared you for this course, and why are they valuable? The revised format w...

Colleges in England are calling for a review of an "exceptional and unfair" increase in the grade boundary for the English language GCSE exam designed for resit students. They argue that the 11-mark rise in the passing threshold this summer will force more students to retake the exam, adding financial strain on colleges. In a letter to exam board Pearson, 30 college leaders requested a reduction in the grade boundary for the GCSE English Language 2.0 exam. Pearson has expressed confidence in the grades issued, but the colleges claim to represent nearly 48,000 students adversely affected by the unexpected and late change in grade boundaries this year. The grading for GCSEs in England was anticipated to be similar to 2023 levels, with only minor adjustments expected. The 11-mark ...

In the coming weeks, many young people will be starting a long-term relationship, but it's not of a romantic nature—it's with their student bank account. As students head off to university, banks and building societies are eager to attract them with enticing offers, such as attractive perks and generous overdraft limits, in hopes of retaining them as customers beyond their academic years. While it's not mandatory to open a student bank account—standard current accounts are also an option—student accounts provide unique benefits tailored specifically for university life. Here’s a summary of the key perks and interest-free overdraft options from major banks. Perks: £100 cash and a free tastecard (valued at £55 per year, although current membership costs £29.99). Interest-...

Michael Gove’s free schools program has been linked to increased social segregation and a decline in student numbers at neighboring schools, according to a recent analysis of the initiative. Promoted as a major achievement of the 14-year Conservative-led government, free schools were intended to enhance educational quality and expand parental choice. They aimed to drive improvements in nearby schools and create a "galvanizing effect" across the education system. However, new research from University College London, shared with the Observer, indicates that the introduction of free schools has been associated with greater segregation among primary school students, particularly along ethnic lines. The study also found no significant improvement in student attainment at nearby primary...