Deserted playground

30 June 2011 Last updated at 11:34 GMT By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter The strike has closed thousands of schools across England and Wales There's an empty, ghost-town feel to Acton High School in west London.

By 8.30am the surrounding streets, local buses and Tube station are usually bustling with students catching up on their way into class.

The grassy field in front of the school's modern building, usually a sea of navy blue and red uniforms, is deserted.

The school is closed because of the national pensions strike by two teaching unions - and it is as if the summer holidays have come early.

But at its electric gates, about a dozen teachers are forming a rather chatty and good-natured picket.

Bathed in sunshine, their placards lean casually against the fence and they don't seem to be bothered by the odd vehicle driving in and out.

Budget cuts

They may look relaxed - as once their head teacher decided to close the school the strike, in some ways, had already partly succeeded - but they are angry.

One young teacher, Will Halsy, says he has worked out, using a calculator on the National Union of Teachers' website, that he stands to lose the value of a two-bedroom house in the area, from the changes being planned.

He says: "In the absolute worst-case scenario - ie all the government's proposals are put into force next April - I stand to lose ?328,203 over my life-time."

What he finds particularly galling about the government's public-sector pensions plan is that MPs will be asked to pay far lower premiums than teachers and lecturers.

Steve Kiely, a teacher whose work focuses on trying to bring under-achieving pupils up to a higher standard, says for many people the strike is also about wider issues than the pension.

"Children's Services, the people that we deal with as teachers, are being cut by the council, so increasingly we are having to provide these services out of our own school budgets."

It is 28-year-old Sheba Dhillon's first time on a picket line and also her first on strike.

It is the long-term impact of the proposed pension changes that concerns her.

She fears that worsening teachers' pensions, terms and conditions will lead to a drop in high-calibre candidates wanting to join the profession. And this in turn will harm children's education, she argues.

Peminder Grewal wonders why teachers should lose out

And there is some sympathy for these teachers' views at nearby Derwentwater Primary School, which remains partially open with some classes closed because of the strike.

'System is wrong'

A steady steam of parents arrives to drop off children on this beautiful summer morning.

One, Anna Ciecko, says: "I think it's good that they fight for their money."

Peminder Grewal, whose daughter is a Derwentwater pupil, says: "The whole system is all wrong. We should look after the teachers more than anyone else because they are helping the future.

"The government has enough money. They have all got good wages. Why should teachers have to suffer because of the government's problems?"

Ireen Esmann, a parent and governor, also believes teachers should be paid well.

She adds: "If they are paid during their teaching career a low wage then there should be a good pension package at the end of that."

Ireen Esmann believes teachers should be able to retire with a good pension

Siobhan Oktay has one child at Derwentwater and says the school has done its parents proud with its efforts to remain open.

But she also has children at other schools, including Acton High, that are closed by the strike.

"My daughter is old enough to be at home by herself. She's planning to go shopping and is happy about that, but my son is out on work experience so he is really miffed that he still has to go."

She has some sympathy for the teachers, but cautions: "It's austere times and it seems hard for teachers to say they want a higher pension than other people."

Hunt for childcare

And there is some concern that if the strikes continue, it will be the children who suffer.

Elwira Kozub has a child at Derwentwater school nursery and a 14-year-old at another school closed by the strike.

She says: "I understand the teachers want to strike but for the parents it can be complicated with the day off being during the week."

And there have been reports of nanny agencies and emergency childcare companies being inundated with requests for help.

Amanda Coxen, of national nanny agency Tinies, says demand for nannies has doubled in some of her branches - particularly those based in the south of England.

But the children affected at these schools in Acton seem to be taking the mish-mash of schooling and childcare arrangements in their stride.

As the school bell goes, one little boy rides up to them on his bike with another, who must be his brother, and then does an about-turn.

When the younger boy puzzles why his brother isn't joining him inside, the older boy calls out: "Don't worry. I've got no school today - my teacher's striking.

"But, go on you - you get in to school!"

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Taking action

29 June 2011 Last updated at 11:34 GMT Hundreds of thousands of teachers and civil servants are planning industrial action on Thursday in protest at government plans to change their pension schemes.

As many as 750,000 public-sector workers will not be going into work. The closure of more than 3,000 schools in England and Wales and partial closure of more than 2,000 is expected.

Not all public-sector unions will be striking - some are continuing to negotiate with the government.

Here, a selection of union members affected by Thursday's industrial action share their views.

"I've never, ever, considered striking before," says Robin Johnson, who considers himself a moderate - rather than a militant - union member.

But Mr Johnson this week switched his union membership from a union that isn't striking to the National Union of Teachers so that he could participate in Thursday's action.

He says he just did not feel comfortable about not joining his co-workers in losing a day's pay when he agreed with the reasons they were striking. "It's not about downing tools it's about the principle of it," he says.

"I don't have an issue paying more [towards my pension] and I don't have an issue working longer or getting less. My issue is the lack of transparency," Mr Johnson says. "There isn't transparency in terms of what [pension] size the deficit is."

He says the government needs to justify why changes to the pension scheme are needed.

The issue of striking and its impact on students is "a tricky one", he acknowledges, and his school head teacher has yet to make a final decision on whether all students should come in.

*Mr Johnson, an NUT member, says his pension contributions are expected to rise by about ?85 a month.

David, who asks for his surname not to be published, is totally against the strike action his union is participating in.

"It will do absolutely nothing - the only thing it's going to do is anger parents who think we do nothing anyway," he says.

"I'm opposed to the type of action, but I'm also opposed to the fact that many people don't know what the strike's about

"They've been hyped up by the press and the unions to take action, when really they don't understand."

An example of that is unions' different estimates of members' pension rises, he says.

Continue reading the main story State employees to receive their occupational pension at same time as state pension Pension payments to be based on career-average earnings into final salaryPercentage of salary paid into pension scheme to riseDavid says the best way for younger staff to get their message across to the government would be to actually pull out of the pension scheme - reducing the amount of money available.

He says both unions represented at his school have conscience clauses, meaning that striking is not compulsory, and only four of the 14 members of his union are striking. But he says he has received a lot of flak for not joining the action.

Despite it being a quiet time of year, David says the strike will have an effect on students and any missed lessons will need to catch up.

"The unions are urging everyone to go out on strike, but it hits the kids. Why should we hit the kids when it's our pensions?"

*David, a union member, spoke on condition of anonymity. He says his pension contributions are expected to increase by about ?41.35 a month, rising to ?82.71 by 2013 according to the ATL, or ?80.35 according to the NUT.

Julia Neal says the proposed rise in pension contributions is effectively a tax

Julia Neal says she would prefer not to be going on strike but feels the government has left her no choice.

"It's the first time I've ever gone on strike - I do it with a heavy heart," she says. "We feel that it's a last resort - we've essentially been pushed to it because they haven't really consulted us."

"We hope that it will make the government realise that our members are very angry and really it would be much more helpful if they went back to negotiating with us."

Ms Neal says it is not right that teachers should be expected to work longer for less and that some people will be unable to pay the increased contributions.

Continue reading the main story 3,206 local authority schools set to close2,206 to partially closeStatus of 10,872 schools unknown84 academies to close128 academies to partially close158 academies to open9 academies undeclared328 academies unknown

*Department for Education

"We feel that a 50% rise in contributions is really a tax on our pensions," she says.

"Why is it that teacher pensions should be hit because the government numbers don't add up?"

Ms Neal says the proposed changes to teachers' pension schemes will discourage new people from becoming teachers and the strike action - while regrettable - is for the future good of education.

She has not directly asked her students - who are mainly years 10 and 11 - what they think of the strike but thinks they understand the issues behind it.

"I think there's a quiet acceptance and quiet support." The students were quite sensitive about the hike in student fees, she says.

"I don't feel any hostility at all."

*Ms Neal, an ATL member, says her pension contributions are expected to rise by ?122 a month.

Lesley Shelley is a paid member of the UCU but says her Jehovah's Witness faith prevents her from striking.

"I will go into work and fulfil my duties but I do support what the union are doing fully, I've never known my colleagues to be so angry," she says.

"You put into the pension scheme so that you get a decent retirement," she says. "I think people tend to think you get these huge money pots but it's not the case with teachers."

Mrs Shelley says she agrees changes need to be made to the public-sector pensions system, but she feels the government may be fudging its figures.

"[The changes] will break the backs of a lot of teachers and they'll come out of teaching. We've got bank managers and engineers coming into teaching because they feel they want to do a job that's more worthwhile. Why will they bother?" she says.

"I'm at the end of my career but young people are facing a huge debt for their training and now face big pension contributions," she says. "We need fresh blood in the teaching profession.

"[The strikers] are coming out for the next generation of teachers to give them faith."

Mrs Shelley says students at her college have been supportive of the action and most of those whose teachers are absent will be able to work from home.

*Mrs Shelley, a UCU member, says her pension contributions are expected to rise by ?90 a month.

Alex Leach hopes the strike will see the government resume "meaningful" negotiations

Crown Prosecution Service worker Alex Leach says the government's plans will see workers "put more into pensions, pay more and receive less when we retire".

He says a lot of people feel like they are being kicked out of their pension scheme because of the increased cost of contributions.

Mr Leach has been a PCS union representative for about six years and has taken strike action before. But he says Thursday's strike is significant.

"This is certainly the biggest strike I've encountered," he says.

On Thursday, he will be on the picket line and attending a rally in the centre of Hull.

"No-one here wants to go on strike, but we feel that we're being forced down that avenue at the moment."

*Mr Leach, a PCS member, says his pension contributions are expected to rise by ?47.50 a month.

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Parents save school prom hit by strike

30 June 2011 Last updated at 11:16 GMT Doncaster Council's chief executive said management would continue to meet with unions More than half of the schools in South Yorkshire have been closed or partially shut as staff strike in a national protest over pensions.

At least 366 of the county's schools have been hit and of those 193 were fully closed, council figures show.

As well as teaching unions, members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) and Unison are striking.

In total, about 20,000 public sector workers in South Yorkshire are involved in the walkout.

In Doncaster, the strike threatened to disrupt the end-of-school prom for pupils at Ridgewood School until parents stepped in to save the day.

Year 11 pupils at the Scawsby school traditionally meet for celebrations at the school during the day before going to the prom at night.

Parents stepped in to save the event after it coincided with the industrial action.

Lynn Hall, a parent and governor at Ridgewood, said a group of parents had come together to organise the prom event "for the sake of the kids".

She said: "We found out at the end of last week that the school leavers' event was cancelled.

"We got our heads together and we said we've got sons affected and friends affected and we could see how gutted they were.

"This is not just for our sons and mates, it's for the entire 240 kids at the school.

"We knew there had to be an alternative."

Picket lines

Unison members working at Doncaster Council are also striking over job cuts and changes to terms and conditions.

Adult social education centres in Thorne, Conisbrough, Mexborough and Hayfield were due to be closed but the council said it did not expect disruption to any other services.

Rob Vincent, the council's chief executive, said: "I am disappointed with the outcome but we will continue to meet with unions and discuss the areas of proposed changes over which they have expressed concern."

Demos and picket lines are planned across the county including a rally at Barker's Pool in Sheffield and picket lines at job centres in Maltby and Rotherham.

Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield councils are updating lists of school closures on their websites.

Latest figure show 55 schools are closed in Barnsley with 14 partially closed.

In Doncaster 57 schools are closed with 18 partially shut.

In Rotherham 55 schools are closed with a further 41 partially closed.

And in Sheffield 26 schools are closed with another 98 partially shut.

Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport said it was not anticipating any problems.

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'12,000 schools' hit by strikes

30 June 2011 Last updated at 14:13 GMT Teachers and lecturers make up the bulk of those protesting Hundreds of thousands of pupils across England and Wales have missed lessons as teachers staged a one-day strike over changes to their pensions.

At least 12,000 schools are known to have been closed or partly closed. Unions say the total is higher.

It is the biggest walk-out by teachers in a generation.

The Education Secretary Michael Gove says he is "disappointed" by the strike.

Action is being taken by members of the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers and the University and College union.

Teachers say planned changes will mean they will have to work longer, pay more and get less when they retire.

Regional variations

College lecturers are also staging a strike and say 350 colleges and 75 newer universities are being hit.

Teachers and lecturers make up the largest group among the hundreds of thousands of public sector workers striking on Thursday over planned changes to their pensions.

According to the Department for Education, about a third of England's schools are completely closed, a third are partially closed and one third are open.

The department based its a calculations on data from 80% of schools.

The NUT believes more schools were affected and estimates 85% of schools in England were are either closed or partially closed.

In Wales, more than half of schools - about 1,000 - are fully or partly shut, with 20,000 teachers there joining the protest.

Continue reading the main story

We're still in negotiations and the people who really lose out as a result of today's strike are children who are not in school enjoying their lessons”

End Quote Michael Gove Education Secretary Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "Today's action across the country demonstrates the anger and distress that this government is causing teachers. Their unjustified attacks on teachers' pensions are nothing short of disgraceful.

"Teachers are dedicated to the children and young people whom they teach. They are professionals and do not take strike action lightly. But they cannot stand back and see their pensions attacked when all the evidence shows that they are affordable and sustainable and that their costs are falling."

As many teachers prepared to join rallies around the country, Mr Gove went to a primary school in London which was open.

He told reporters: "I feel disappointed that people have chosen to go out on strike today. I understand that there are really strong feelings about pensions and we absolutely want to ensure that everyone in the public, especially teachers, have decent pensions.

The NUT's Christine Blower and Andy Brown of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers explain why they are taking strike action

"We're still in negotiations and the people who really lose out as a result of today's strike are children who are not in school enjoying their lessons, and in particular hard-working parents, who have been put to quite a lot of inconvenience as a result of this action."

The government says changes to public sector pensions are essential to make them sustainable for the public purse and fair to all tax-payers.

The impact of the strike on individual schools is varied, depending on how many teachers belong to the ATL and NUT.

Around 220,000 members of the NUT and 80,000 members of the ATL in England and Wales were eligible to strike.

Regional picture

In some parts of the country the majority of schools are disrupted. In Oldham, Greater Manchester, 80% of schools are closed or partially closed.

In West Yorkshire, about 460 out of 900 are affected.

Continue reading the main story

We should look after the teachers more than anyone else because they are helping the future”

End Quote Peminder Grewal, parent Support for the strike appears strong in London. In Camden, all but four of the area's 58 schools are completely closed.

In the London Borough of Brent, 64 out of 78 schools are closed or partially closed (82%).

In Kent and Shropshire, about one third of schools are closed or partially closed, while in Surrey, about a third of the county's 400 state schools are shut.

In East Sussex more than half of schools are closed, while about a quarter of schools in Slough are.

Private schools

The strike action is also affecting schools in the independent sector. Some 18,000 of its teachers are members of the ATL, of whom more than 4,000 voted in favour of striking in the union's ballot.

Many teachers at private schools belong to the teachers' pension scheme.

Lord Hutton, in his review of public sector pensions, said having non public sector workers in state schemes could increase their financial risk.

The ATL fears that the government plans to exclude independent school staff from the pension scheme - which it says would affect 60,000 teachers.

David Levin, headmaster of the City of London Boys' School, said a handful of his staff would be on strike and lessons affected would be covered by senior management.

The BBC's Wales correspondent, Colette Hulme, talks to a head teacher at a school in Cardiff

Mr Levin said teachers who were taking action were doing so in sorrow rather than in anger.

"They think it's a matter of conscience. They are very reluctant and, with great regret, are exercising their conscience."

Mr Levin, who also chairs the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, said he knew of a number of independent schools that would be affected by the strike, but all were determined to stay open.

Family challenge

The Education Secretary Michael Gove has repeatedly complained about the likely impact of the teachers' strike on parents.

But Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, said: "We regret any inconvenience caused to parents, but a one-day strike will have significantly less impact on children's education than the damage done by making education an unattractive career".

Siobhan Freegard, the co-founder of the parenting website Netmums said many parents were supportive of their children's teachers' right to take action - but support might wane if the action continued.

"It is a pain, there's no doubt about it, lots of mums are having to take time off or make other arrangements, " she said.

"Nobody is really blaming anybody."

"Tolerance is not going to stretch very far because the majority of mums now work. One or two days are fine, and businesses understand, but a lot of people work in situations where businesses aren't going to put up with taking all these days off, and, as with snow days, start docking money."

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Playground fee to be reconsidered

29 June 2011 Last updated at 15:58 GMT Education Secretary Michael Gove said it was a responsibility of councils to provide free play areas Plans to charge youngsters to use a playground in south-west London at weekends are to be reconsidered.

Wandsworth Council had proposed a fee of ?2.50 per child at Battersea Park's adventure play area, saying it was costly to maintain as it was staffed.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said it was important such parks were free, while his Labour shadow Sharon Hodgson called the idea "mean-spirited".

Residents' comments were to be assessed "more fully", a councillor said.

"We have listened very carefully to all the suggestions and points of view that have been made on this issue, and feel it would be right and proper to explore these more fully before looking at this matter again," said Kathy Tracey, Wandsworth's spokesman for children's services.

The annual cost of running the park is more than ?200,000, the Conservative-run council said.

The authority said this was because the area was supervised by qualified staff and had other attractions, such arts and crafts workshops and sports coaching.

'Back garden'

But five local families argued the decision was unlawful, saying they had not been properly consulted and many parents would not be able to afford the charge.

When the issue was raised in Parliament, Mr Gove said it was "one of the responsibilities of local authorities to ensure children have an opportunity to play freely".

Mrs Hodgson, the shadow education secretary, said the playground was a "back garden" for many local children living in tower blocks.

Councillor Tracey said there was "no question of charges being introduced at our normal playgrounds, or at the borough's two other adventure play centres".

The council had to make ?30m of cuts in the next year and was suggesting only "a very small charge" in Battersea Park, she explained.

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2,000 children 'groomed' - report

29 June 2011 Last updated at 11:07 GMT By Dominic Casciani BBC News home affairs correspondent Mohammed Liaqat (left) and Abid Saddique, 27: Convicted in grooming case The first UK-wide study of street grooming of children has found more than 2,000 victims of systematic abuse.

The ethnicity of around half the offenders was not known but in the remainder a quarter of offenders were Asian and 38% were white.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) warned against focusing on ethnicity over the issue.

Head of Ceop Peter Davies said many local agencies were failing to give victims the support they needed.

The six-month assessment of the scale of "street grooming" was launched after a high profile case saw a number of Asian men convicted of sexually abusing girls in Derby.

Ceop said it had evidence of 230 gangs, mostly young men, who were identifying and grooming children for systematic sexual abuse. Some groups were large enough to be considered organised crime enterprises that were supplying victims to be raped by paying clients.

"This is a horrific kind of crime," said Mr Davies. "It involves systematic, premeditated rape of children and needs to be understood in those stark terms. It needs to be brought out of the dark."

Continue reading the main story Half of offenders excluded because of insufficient information about them Of the remaining: 38% White32% Unknown ethnicity26% Asian3% Black and 0.2% ChineseBut Ceop's report said that the available evidence was patchy. The review identified 2,083 victims and 2,379 offenders since the start of 2008.

Investigators were only able to establish reliable information about half of the offenders, the majority of whom were aged between 18 and 24.

In almost a third of the remaining cases, agencies had insufficient information to draw any conclusions about ethnicity. Of those that remained, 38% were white and 26% were Asian. The report stressed that this data was poor because in nine out of 10 cases, the research could not detail the meaning of "Asian".

The report said that the majority of victims were white girls - although in a third of cases the ethnicity was not known.

Earlier this year, the former Home and Justice Secretary Jack Straw said that while offenders came from all backgrounds, there was a specific problem of young Pakistani men targeting white girls because they regarded them as "easy meat".

Peter Davies called for child protection agencies to do more to protect victims - and said that the UK needed more thorough and reliable research into what was going on.

Continue reading the main story

We need to get the Pakistani community to think much more clearly about why this is going on and to be more open about the problems that are leading to a number of Pakistani heritage men thinking it is OK to target white girls in this way”

End Quote Jack Straw, January 2011 "Focusing on the problem simply through the lens of ethnicity does not do it service," said Mr Davies.

He said that many victims were in vulnerable positions, such as in care or involved in petty criminality. That meant many were afraid to come forward because they did not expect to be believed or supported.

And Mr Davies said he was "shocked, surprised and disappointed" at the lack of action in many parts of the country.

Only 13 of 150 Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs), local partnerships involving police and social services, provided information to Ceop. Two-thirds of all LSCBs had failed to set up specialist sub-groups to combat street grooming, as set out in national guidance.

Mr Davies said: "They do not appear to have set up the basic processes that are expected in the national guidelines to tackle child sexual exploitation."

John Grounds from the NSPCC said: "This is an important piece of work. We would like to see better and more consistent data collection and improved training for professionals working in this field.

And Enver Solomon of The Children's Society, said: "For far too long child grooming has been a hidden issue, with dangerous perpetrators targeting vulnerable girls and boys in the shadows of our society.

"The Ceop assessment… highlights that children who run away are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, yet professionals are often unaware of this. Child grooming cannot be addressed without actively looking at the issue of children running away."

Mr Davies said that Ceop would conduct more research into the types of people found guilty and the motivations for their crime. Ministers are preparing a national action plan on grooming while the Children's Commissioner has launched her own inquiry into gangs and sexual abuse.

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At-a-glance: Universities White Paper

BBC News - At-a-glance: Universities White Paper BBC

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Skip to content Skip to local navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation Skip to bbc.co.uk search Help Accessibility Help Education & Family Home UK Africa Asia-Pac Europe Latin America Mid-East South Asia US & Canada Business Health Sci/Environment Tech Entertainment Video England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales UK Politics Education Magazine 28 June 2011Last updated at 19:44 GMT Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print At-a-glance: Universities White Paper Continue reading the main storyRelated StoriesUniversities to compete on places A look at the government's proposed changes to higher education in England, as it publishes a White Paper setting out ministers' vision for the future of the sector.

The document sets out the landscape for higher education as tuition fees rise to up to ?9,000 per year.

Competition and student numbers The White Paper aims to create a "more dynamic sector in which popular institutions can grow and where all universities must offer a good student experience to remain competitive" From 2012-13, universities will be allowed to recruit as many students as they like with the grades AAB or higher In 2012, a "flexible margin" of 20,000 places will be available for universities charging ?7,500 or less - these will be allocated to reward providers who offer good quality and value for money In subsequent years, the volume of student places for which universities can compete will increase "to drive quality and value for money" An overall cap on the numbers of students who will receive government-funded loans will be retained The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will "have a new role as promoter of a competitive system" HEFCE is to advise on the creation, from 2013/14 of additional university places, funded by charities or employers, at no cost to the taxpayer - there must be fair access for these, regardless of ability to pay Tuition fees Students will be able to pay back their loans early, but the government is consulting on how this can be done "without undermining the progressive nature of the system overall" New providers Legislation to ensure "that all HE [higher-education] providers can secure government support via students' loans on an equal footing, so long as they meet common quality standards" will aim to remove entry barriers for new providers Government will simplify the regime for obtaining and renewing degree-awarding powers Use of the title "university" will be reviewed "so there are no artificial barriers against smaller institutions" Plan to "decouple" degree-awarding powers from teaching - which would mean bodies could set and award degrees without teaching them, or new institutions could teach degrees awarded by other bodies Student experience Universities will have to publish directly comparable data for prospective students in 16 areas - including teaching hours, accommodation costs, and employment rates and future salaries of graduates by course Data will also be published, by course, showing the qualifications held by previously successful applicants Universities will be "encouraged" to publish information about the teaching qualifications and expertise of teaching staff Universities will be expected to publish online reports of student surveys of lecture courses, "aiding choice and stimulating competition between the best academics" Universities and colleges will have to publish details of how they spend tuition-fee income There will be fewer routine inspections of universities for quality, but more powers for inspections to be triggered if students raise concerns about teaching standards Measures will be taken to make graduates more employable, such as working with employers to develop and "kitemark" courses, boosting enterprise-skills training for students, and reviewing university-industry collaboration - including seeking to reverse the decline in sandwich courses offering a year in industry Social mobility The Office of Fair Access (Offa) will have its resources increased and monitor the plans and targets universities must set for attracting students from disadvantaged backgrounds if they want to charge more than ?6,000 fees The head of Offa will report to government this autumn about further sanctions and powers to support the body in its work Offa "will continue to have a duty to protect academic freedom, including an institution's right to decide who to admit and on what basis" More on This Story Related Stories Universities to compete on places 28 JUNE 2011, EDUCATION & FAMILY Related Internet links BIS The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites

Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print More Education & Family stories RSS?9,000 tuition fees for non-Scots

Scottish universities will be able to charge annual fees of up to ?9,000 for students coming to study from other parts of the UK, under new plans.

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Gove backs school maths to age 18

29 June 2011 Last updated at 12:41 GMT Maths is required for many subjects at degree level Education Secretary Michael Gove says he would like to see the "vast majority" of pupils in England studying maths to the age of 18 within a decade.

He said there were "strong arguments" for "making certain subjects compulsory for longer".

Mr Gove said he did not want to prejudge a national curriculum review, but also suggested that pupils study calculus and algebra at younger ages.

He said the UK was lagging behind its global competitors in the subject.

Speaking at the Royal Society, the education secretary said he was concerned about a post-16 "maths gap", where even pupils who did well at GCSE have forgotten what they knew by the time they start university or work.

The "maths gap" that most pupils now experience after the age of 16 means that even those who did well at GCSE have forgotten much of the maths they learnt by the time they start their degree or a job.

He said not enough students had sufficient maths to be able to study subjects such as physics, engineering and social sciences at university.

"I think we should set a new goal for the education system so that within a decade the vast majority of pupils are studying maths right through to the age of 18," he said.

"Of course, I am not prejudging the [curriculum] review. But there are strong arguments for introducing concepts earlier, for covering some topics more thoroughly, and for making certain subjects compulsory for longer."

'Genuinely bizarre'

Mr Gove said it was possible that England could follow East Asian countries in bringing in "much greater focus on fundamental number concepts, fractions and the building blocks of algebra in primary school".

He said he thought it "genuinely bizarre" that so many children left school "essentially unaware of the development of calculus".

Mr Gove said the review of the national curriculum that the government had commissioned would "set out the essential knowledge that children need to advance in core subjects", but not be "an attempt to prescribe every moment of the school day".

He said it would not spell out how issues and controversies, such as embryo experimentation and energy conservation, should be tackled.

Filling the national curriculum with topical subjects "only encourages a constant tinkering and rewriting which we should stop," Mr Gove said.

According to the Guardian newspaper, the head of the curriculum review panel, Tim Oates, said earlier this month that climate change should not be included in the national curriculum.

Maths is currently compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16.

Mr Gove has already said that teenagers who fail to achieve C grades in English and maths GCSEs by the age of 16 should continue to study the subjects.

Dame Athene Donald, Chair of the Royal Society Education Committee, welcomed Mr Gove's comments.

"The Royal Society's most recent State of the Nation report identified a significant shortage in the numbers of students studying mathematics past GCSE, given the needs of higher education and the economy, and advocates that all students should study some form of mathematics to 18," she said.

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£9,000 tuition fees for non-Scots

29 June 2011 Last updated at 14:53 GMT English students tend to gravitate towards the universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews Scottish universities will be able to charge annual fees of up to ?9,000 for students coming to study from other parts of the UK, under new plans.

Mike Russell, the Scottish education secretary, outlined proposals to allow higher education institutions to set their own fees, which would be capped.

The move came after English universities got the go-ahead to charge up to ?9,000 for tuition.

Residents of Scotland studying at home will not pay any fees.

Amid concerns over "fee refugees" heading north of the border to study, Mr Russell said Scottish university places for Scottish students must be protected.

But NUS Scotland strongly attacked the government's decision, claiming Scotland could become the UK's most expensive place to study for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, the education secretary said he had launched a consultation on legislation allowing universities to set their own fees for students from the rest of the UK from 2012-13.

The move would then be followed by new legislation to cap fees at ?9,000 a year from 2013-14 onwards.

Continue reading the main story Seonag MacKinnon BBC Scotland education correspondent

A key objective of the charge is to help buoy the finances of Scottish universities.

There's concern about the future funding gap for Scottish universities as some English universities almost triple their fees to up to ?9,000 a year.

A second objective is to stop a potential flood of "fee refugees" to Scotland seeking to escape the university fees in other parts of the UK.

There is a question mark over how much money the increased charges will raise.

South of the border, there has been much publicity and resentment in some quarters over the outline plan to charge residents of Scotland nothing but charge others thousands of pounds.

This is believed to be one reason why the number of applicants to Scottish universities from residents of England slumped by 15% this academic year.

The education secretary is also trying to establish a legal way of bringing in charges for EU students resident in the EU but outside the UK.

Their numbers have greatly escalated in recent years as word has spread that, like Scots, they pay no fees in Scotland.

Mr Russell said Scottish universities would be free to set fees of between ?1,800 and ?9,000 for other UK students, but said he expected levels to be lower than those south of the border.

A working group set up by the Scottish government and higher education body Universities Scotland has pointed to an average figure of ?6,375.

Mr Russell said: "Scotland has and always will welcome students from all over the world to our universities.

"However, the decisions being taken in England could threaten the quality and competitiveness of our universities.

"We cannot allow Scotland to no longer be the best option and instead be known as the cheap option - we also must protect places for Scottish students."

Mr Russell added: "We are providing clarity for potential students from the rest of the UK that making the positive choice to study in Scotland will not cost more than it does in their home nation."

NUS Scotland president-elect Robin Parker claimed students from the rest of the UK could pay up to ?36,000 to study in Scotland, compared to ?27,000 in England.

Accusing the Scottish government of hypocrisy, he said: "The SNP rejected a market in tuition fees for Scottish students prior to the election, only to introduce one immediately after for students from the rest of the UK.

"This seems incredibly unfair, especially when the SNP have talked so much about the importance of access to university based on ability not ability to pay.

"We are not at all convinced that increasing fees is required to manage demand. And by introducing a market into education in Scotland, we're seeing some of the worst aspects of the proposals down south come to Scotland, directly against our tradition of fair access to university. "

The SNP has given a commitment not to re-introduce fees for residents of Scotland studying in their home country, either on an up-front or graduate basis.

The move is backed by Scottish Labour, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Greens, but not the Scottish Tories.

Mr Russell also announced a review of the way Scotland's colleges are run, led by Prof Russell Griggs, chair of Dumfries and Galloway College's governing body.

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Universities shake-up: Your views

28 June 2011 Last updated at 14:47 GMT A planned shake-up of higher education in England is being set out by the government.

Universities will be able to compete for some student places, be held accountable for the quality of their teaching, and be forced to provide more information about the employment prospects from particular courses.

Here lecturers and students share their views on the proposed changes.

"Increasing competition among universities would improve the quality of education"

As a recent economics graduate I believe that increasing competition among universities would improve the quality and efficiency of education while making higher education prices lower and more competitive.

I support the opinion that universities should publish the average salary of former students, the cost of accommodation, teaching hours and satisfaction ratings from previous students.

Throughout the three years of studying at the University of Nottingham I have been very satisfied with the quality of education supplied.

I was lucky to listen to lectures read by economics professors recognised worldwide and follow up-to-date studying programmes, which I believe are very important when studying such a dynamic subject as economics.

However, I am sure that the University of Nottingham having a top 10 economics school in England ensures a good quality of education in order to sustain its reputation and popularity.

This leads me to the conclusion that more competition among universities means an increase in quality.

This shake-up will probably result in the best universities expanding, while forcing the least productive to decrease their prices or shut down, making students better off and bringing efficiency to the economy as a whole.

It is time for change. I believe students paying ?9,000 in fees should have the right to quality education.

"It will only favour wealthy individuals because only the good public universities will survive"

I am a lecturer at the University of East Anglia. I hold the position of associate tutor in law and think this shake-up is a terrible idea.

Methods for assessing teaching quality have always been unfavourable for teaching staff.

Students rarely understand the demands of teaching or research posts at university or turnaround times for marking, which can be as little as four weeks.

Creating private competition will leave public universities at an unfair advantage due to different regulations and laws. How can they say universities are not competitive?

There are over 100 universities to choose from. It will become like supermarkets in this country where you have no more than six or seven big names.

This is another Tory policy that will only favour wealthy individuals because only the good public universities will survive and private universities will only want the best.

Those students who have not reached their full potential by 18 will be left without any realistic opportunities.

The university system needs a kick up the backside and I think these proposals are a very good idea.

I studied at a university in the country's top 20 list. I paid ?3,000 in tuition fees per year.

In my first year, lectures, seminars and tutorials combined came to about six or seven hours per week.

In my second year that time went up to about 10 hours per week and it stayed the same in my third year.

I didn't complain at the time about not having enough contact time but I did fill out feedback forms on particular lecturers and classes.

I always expressed my concern on this matter but it never amounted to anything. When you come straight from school you are not necessarily confident enough to voice these concerns formally.

I feel so cheated by the university system. I could have done my whole course in three terms, over one year, but it was stretched out over three because "that's the way it's always been done".

"Law suits and a large number of dubious third class degrees will follow"

I am a first year undergraduate reading earth science at Oxford University and I'm strongly opposed to this universities shake-up.

How can you fail a student who has been paying ?9,000 a year for you to teach them?

If you, as an admissions tutor, have properly selected students able to complete the course, then how will students react to being failed? They will simply say "well, you didn't teach me properly."

Universities do not exist for the sole purpose of education; they are prime research facilities.

If, and this is a big if given their current actions, this government wants the UK to remain as a competitive nation in research and development, as well as in the manufacturing and even financial industries then they've got a funny way of showing it.

Law suits and a large number of dubious third class degrees will follow.

This will surely devalue our education system. I foresee a mass migration to Scotland in the next few years - there appears to be a little more sanity there.

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Student choice

28 June 2011 Last updated at 20:01 GMT By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent Students have been promised more consumer rights in the White Paper on universities After the thunder and lightning of the tuition fees battle, this future vision of higher education in England is an attempt to change the mood music.

Instead of images of riot police and pitched battles in Westminster, this higher education White Paper puts the government on the side of the student.

It's a way of turning the searchlights away from the political difficulties of tuition fees and budget cuts and training them on universities instead.

Consumer rights are being showcased. The market economy in higher education will mean students have to be treated as valued customers. Because, after all, they're paying the bill. As it says in the White Paper's title: Students at the Heart of the System.

If universities insist on charging the ?9,000 maximum tuition fees, the government is saying, students can demand value for money. What are the job prospects? Where is the new gym equipment?

And if the traditional universities are too expensive or too inflexible, then the government is ready to usher in a new breed of private providers, ready to break up the cosy insularity of the old order.

Even the title of "university", long guarded as an academic crown jewel, is going to be put under review.

Instability

But is the "customer is always right" the best starting point for a university system?

Extra places will be available for students getting grades AAB at A-level

University leaders are sounding underwhelmed about the way competition is going to work for student places.

They've already had to accept that the withdrawal of teaching budgets will mean the future viability of courses will depend on the fees paid by students.

This has raised concerns about instilling instability rather than competitive energy. If a subject falls out of fashion for a couple of years, should be it be abandoned? University departments can't be turned on and off like a tap.

And now they've been told that a quarter of places will be up for grabs.

Those at the top will be fighting for the high-flying students with grades AAB at A-level. And there will be another bidding war based on price - with about 8% of the remaining places to be for institutions charging less than ?7,500 per year.

Both the Russell Group, representing the most prestigious universities, and the Million+ group representing the new universities, are warning of unintended consequences from these attempts to push down prices and make universities compete.

Rather than wanting to compete for extra places, some university leaders talk privately about retreating to a smaller number of subject areas where they know they can attract a reliable number of students.

It's a move from the supermarket to the boutique.

There is also disquiet that pressure to encourage cheaper providers into the market, and lower the average fee cost, will have a disproportionate impact on some universities.

The overall number of places is going to remain constant, but opening up a quarter to competition means that someone is going to lose out.

Labour politicians have argued that the undeclared driving force of the White Paper is the need to create a mechanism that pushes down fee prices, when so many universities want to charge the maximum - which Labour says the government can't afford.

Social mobility

The 1994 Group, representing research-intensive universities, warned that the emphasis on student choice and lower-price providers left universities still uncertain about the future of much of their work.

Universities will have to compete for places, including with private providers

The group wanted to know where the details were on research and postgraduate students.

After the political train crash of the tuition fees for the Liberal Democrats, the coalition partners have been keen to emphasise the importance of social mobility.

It's a phrase that seems to get tagged onto every official statement about universities.

But in this White Paper, the balance seems to have been firmly tilted away from the social mobility side of the debate. Apart from a possible strengthening of the Office for Fair Access, there is little that's new.

Even the prospect of students applying after they receive their grades - once expected to be part of this White Paper - has been kicked into the long grass for future discussion.

The Bridge Group think-tank, which recently launched its campaign for social mobility through higher education with a speech from Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg, warned that the plans would have a "negative impact" on social mobility.

Meanwhile, a couple of free-market touchstones - allowing students to make early repayments on loans and extra places for individuals sponsored by private businesses and charities - both make an appearance in the White Paper.

Lifestyle experience

But what will it mean for students?

Universities will be keener than ever to attract their applications - and students will have much clearer information to help guide them through their decisions.

The freeing up of places also begins the process of questioning the idea that places at top institutions should be rationed.

It challenges the idea, deep-rooted in schools and universities, that good things are only ever available in small measures.

Why shouldn't talented youngsters be able to learn in institutions that reflect their potential and ability?

But these students will also be acutely aware that they will be paying three times as much as those studying at the same universities in the years before them. As student leaders have observed, it's consumer power with a hefty price tag.

There is also another often unspoken cultural change accompanying the idea of a consumer-driven university system.

Universities want to be places of ideas, ideals and academic excellence, but they also need to attract young people willing and able to pay up to ?9,000 per year, plus accommodation and living expenses.

Are universities going to be selling lifestyle and leisure experiences as much as the old-fashioned currency of learning? No one wants to see universities end up as expensive academic theme parks.

This White Paper promises to put the students into the driving seat of higher education - but it can't control where they are going to take it.

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Q&A: Tuition fees

27 June 2011 Last updated at 18:41 GMT From September 2012, universities in England will be allowed to raise tuition fees to up to ?9,000 per year, amid major budget cuts to institutions' teaching budgets.

The controversial policy, backed by parliament in December 2010, sparked angry street protests. It was developed as the government's response to a review of higher education funding by former BP chief Lord Browne.

How much?

The government is allowing universities to charge up to ?9,000 per year for undergraduate courses, raising the cap from its current level of ?3,290.

Universities wanting to charge more than ?6,000 will have to undertake measures, such as offering bursaries, summer schools and outreach programmes, to encourage students from poorer backgrounds to apply.

This access agreement will have to be approved by the Office for Fair Access.

How will students pay the fees?

The government will lend students the money for fees, which will be paid back when they graduate and begin working. The fees will not have to be paid up-front.

The threshold at which graduates have to start paying their loans back will rise from ?15,000 to ?21,000. This will rise annually with inflation.

Each month graduates will pay back 9% of their income above that threshold.

The subsidised interest rate at which the repayments are made - currently 1.5% - will be raised. Under a "progressive tapering" system, the interest rate will rise from 0 for incomes of ?21,000, to 3% plus inflation (RPI) for incomes above ?41,000.

If the debt is not cleared 30 years after graduation, it will be wiped out.

What will happen to grants and loans?

Maintenance grants are set to rise from ?2,906 to ?3,250 for students from households earning less than ?25,000.

But partial grants will only be available to students from households with incomes of ?42,000, instead of the current cut-off point of ?50,000.

Means-tested loans will continue. While loan amounts have been increased, the threshold for those receiving the most generous ones has been lowered from ?50,000 to about ?42,000.

What is the long-term cost?

Students taking three-year courses charged at ?6,000 will leave university with about ?30,000 of debt - if fees go up to ?9,000, debts will be closer to ?38,000.

The government says the lowest-earning 25% of graduates will pay less than they currently do. But most others will pay more - the highest earners almost double what they currently pay.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says that, for about half of graduates, the plan is essentially a 9% graduate tax for 30 years, because they will not finish paying off the debt by the 30-year cut-off point.

Assuming fees of ?7,500 for a three year degree, plus maintenance loans, its modelling shows that the top 10% of graduate earners will clear their debts, on average, in about 15 years. But a middle-earning graduate would need to earn, for example, an average of ?48,850 a year for 26 years to pay off their debt.

The IFS also says about 10% of graduates will pay back, in total, more than they borrowed.

Is there any extra support for students from low-income families?

Universities wanting to charge more than ?6,000 will have to set out measures to recruit more students from poorer backgrounds - and also to support them when they are studying. This will take the form of means-tested bursaries and fee waivers, with each university offering its own individual scheme.

When will the proposals take effect?

September 2012. Students applying in 2011 who defer entry to 2012 will have to pay the increased fees. But students who have begun their courses before 2012 will not be affected in their later years of study.

Will universities get more money?

Universities argue that much of the money raised from raising tuition fees will simply replace major cuts to teaching budgets, especially in arts and humanities subjects.

Teaching grant cuts of 6% for 2011-12 have already been announced, with a further 16% reduction the following year - although by then universities will be getting income from raised fees. Teaching-related capital funding for universities has also taken a hit - 54% in 2011-12.

Cuts of 40% to the higher education budget over the next four years were announced in the spending review on 20 October 2010.

How are universities funded?

In the UK as a whole, income from fees - including fees paid directly by students such as postgraduates and overseas students - makes up about 29% of universities' total funding, which was ?25.4bn in 2008/09.

Another 35% comes from government funding bodies, while the rest comes from other sources such as research grants, endowments and investments.

In England, the balance of funding is going to change - with much of the cost of university courses switching from the taxpayer to the student.

What does the proposal mean for the rest of the UK?

Scotland does not charge Scottish students fees.

Students from elsewhere in the UK currently have to pay ?1,820 per year to study at Scottish universities.

The Welsh Assembly has announced that fees will rise to up to ?9,000, as in England, but the government will meet the extra cost to Welsh students studying at any UK university. Funding for universities in Wales has been cut by 12%.

A review of the system in Northern Ireland is under way - it initially suggested maintaining the current fee cap, but the conclusion is now being reviewed.

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Pupils on trial

29 June 2011 Last updated at 10:19 GMT By Lucy Ash Law in Action, BBC Radio 4 Pupils are encouraged to learn through participation in mock trials with their classmates How do you educate children about the realities of the legal system from the confines of a classroom?

"Madam Fiscal, who is your first witness?" There is a rustle of papers as the booming voice echoes around the room.

Through the open window, you can hear a distant rumble of traffic. If you shut your eyes, for just a moment, you could be sitting in any sheriff's court in Scotland.

But the high-pitched reply shatters the illusion. The chief prosecutor is a schoolgirl with a ponytail.

Present are the accused, jurors, lawyers, clerks and police officers, but we are actually in a classroom of 10-year-olds.

Today's case involves a charge of malicious damage. Solicitor advocate John Scott has come to the Victoria Primary School in Newhaven, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, to play the role of sheriff.

All eyes are fixed on him as he speaks, and the concentration is intense. You could hear a pin drop.

Unique system

Then a cherubic-looking boy who claims he is a 67-year-old pensioner appears in the witness box.

Continue reading the main story

If children do know anything about the way trials are run, their knowledge is usually based on American films or shows like The Bill they've seen on television”

End Quote Lord Kinclaven He complains that the suspect threw a brick through his window.

It was dark at the time, but he recalls that the culprit was wearing a leather jacket with a red and yellow dragon tattoo.

Over in the dock, his shifty-looking classmate stares straight ahead and says nothing.

Nobody fidgets or sniggers. The jurors are frantically scribbling notes.

Only one pupil seems to have lost interest - the diminutive policeman sitting next to the accused.

Overcome by the afternoon heat, he is snoozing, head down on his desk.

The children are taking part in an initiative called the MiniTrial.

It was set up by a High Court judge to help schools find out more about the Scottish legal system.

The aim is to demystify the law and allow pupils to see what really happens in a criminal court.

Sandy Wylie QC, also known as Lord Kinclaven, who masterminded the scheme, was inspired by a similar project in Minnesota.

As in all Scottish trials there are 15 jurors rather than 12, as is the case in England

"I wanted to adapt it to Scottish procedures," he says.

"Because if children do know anything about the way trials are run, their knowledge is usually based on American films or shows like The Bill they've seen on television.

"That can cause a lot of confusion because we do things a bit differently up here."

Indeed Scotland has retained its unique legal system throughout more than 300 years of union with England.

I notice that 15 chairs have been put out for the jury rather than the customary 12 in England.

Continue reading the main story

Far too many people come to court for the first time as active participants and they don't really know what it is going on whereas these kids have got a very good idea”

End Quote John Scott Solicitor advocate Later, as the jurors gather in a huddle in the school corridor, they find that a simple majority of eight votes to seven is enough to convict the accused.

But after much deliberation, they decide to return the distinctively Scottish verdict of "not proven".

They are also taught about a cornerstone of Scots law, corroboration, which means that before a piece of evidence can be relied upon in court, it has to be supported by a second piece of evidence.

"That was pretty close to the way a real trial is conducted", says solicitor advocate John Scott afterwards.

"Far too many people come to court for the first time as active participants and they don't really know what it is going on, whereas these kids have got a very good idea."

There is another MiniTrial designed for even younger primary school children, aged seven and eight called Her Majesty Advocate v Goldilocks.

Needless to say the charge against the accused is that she maliciously damaged property belonging to three bears.

Educational benefits

Mr Scott says the MiniTrials have inspired some children to opt for legal careers.

One MiniTrial pupil went on to do work experience with his firm, got a traineeship and has just become a qualified lawyer.

However, Lord Kinclaven says, "Our mission is not to turn people into lawyers".

He adds that when pupils visit courtrooms, they have a chance to see what the court officer does, what the sheriff clerk's job is, or the jury minder and also to see how the Reliance officers in charge of security carry out their job, to see inside Reliance vans which transport prisoners and to look inside the cells.

"We expose them to a whole range of features of our criminal and civil procedure," Lord Kinclaven says.

"I am inviting them not to be complacent. They can be critical if they like, but it is better if they criticise from a position of understanding of what we do and why."

Joan Spencer, a teacher from Edinburgh's Trinity Academy who has been closely involved with the project, feels the MiniTrials bring much broader educational benefits.

Secondary school pupils play out trials not in their classrooms but in actual courts and the cases they are given often involve abuse of alcohol and drugs.

"The teenagers see just how many accidents and assaults are caused by excessive drinking and it is really important early on for them to understand the link between alcohol and violence," she says.

You can find out more about the MiniTrials project in Law in Action, which is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday 28 June at 1600 BST and Thursday 30 June at 2000 BST. Listen again via the BBC iPlayer or download the podcast.

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Threat or opportunity?

28 June 2011 Last updated at 19:28 GMT Ministers have outlined plans to increase competition between universities.

Institutions will be able to bid for as many top students - those with AAB or better at A-level - as they can attract. It will become easier for private institutions to enter the market, with 20,000 student places reserved for institutions that can offer courses costing below ?7,500 per year.

Two university leaders discuss the likely effects of the plans on their institutions.

Professor Peter John, Vice Chancellor of the University of West London, says he supports the idea of using price as a mechanism for driving student choice, and backs competition "as long as it's fair".

Prof John says his university attracts a lot of students from poorer backgrounds

But he believes the University of West London, which is charging ?7,500 tuition fees, could find itself in the "squeezed middle" under the changes.

This would mean being caught between the universities allowed to expand place numbers for talented students, and those allowed to expand because they are charging the lowest fees.

Institutions such as his may find their numbers are capped below current levels and have to turn qualified students away, he says, especially if overall student numbers decline if students are put off by higher fees.

"Perhaps we may lose 20-30% of our student cohort," he says.

"That's a real concern because we offer students who are the first in their families to go into higher education the opportunity, and to deny that to a large section of the population would be a retrograde step."

Some 58% of the university's intake comes from households with average or below average earnings, and only 14 students are from independent schools, he points out.

He is critical of the plan to allow universities to expand place numbers for students achieving the equivalent of AAB A-level grades or higher.

"I don't think that's widening participation - it is simply sharing out a small number of students into the higher universities. All students that have the required qualifications should be given the choice to go to university and it shouldn't be narrowed to a small number," he says.

Mr Allen says Exeter University would not want to expand "too much"

David Allen, registrar and deputy chief executive of Exeter University, broadly welcomed the government's proposals for increased competition between universities, including private institutions.

"As far as I'm concerned - bring it on, as long as we're all on a level playing field - I think competition drives down price and drives innovation," he said.

"From our point of view, as one of the top universities, near the top of the food chain, if we can recruit very good students and still provide them with an excellent experience, that's what we would want to do."

But universities more likely to struggle to attract students need to "realise that they're competing in a very competitive world" he said.

Exeter University has some 20,000 applicants for about 3,500 places every year, he says.

But even so, the university is "investing quite heavily" in marketing and will be "very aggressively presenting ourselves" to prospective students at open days, he adds.

The university is spending ?400m developing its campuses, and is planning a "contract" between students and the university, outlining what students will get for their money and what is expected of them.

Mr Allen stresses the full "Exeter student experience", which mixes academic study with employment preparation and cultural and sports opportunities, and acknowledges that too much growth in numbers could undermine it.

"We certainly wouldn't want to expand too much… we've invested very heavily so we do have the facilities available … and given that we're not planning a very big expansion I think our facilities will be fine," he says.

He says the current period is the most exciting time he can remember in 36 years working in higher education.

"It's liberating," he says. "If the new regime does free up the market, and reduce or eliminate student quotas, I think it will be very important for the country, and very important for the leading universities to have that choice and diversity and to be masters of their own destiny, rather than told what to do by the government."

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Abductions by parents 'show rise'

29 June 2011 Last updated at 09:10 GMT Yemi Elegunde: "Even today I don't know exactly why I was taken away"

The number of British children abducted by a parent and taken to a country beyond Foreign Office protection has risen by 10% in the past year, it says.

In 2010-11, there were 161 cases of children being taken to countries not signed up to a global child abduction treaty - up from 146 the previous year.

UK authorities struggle to negotiate a child's return from such a country.

The government has produced advice for people who fear a child is at risk. It believes many abductions go unrecorded.

Many abductions happen during school holidays, when a partner refuses to return a child following a trip to their home country.

Limited powers

Pakistan, Thailand and India were the most common abduction destinations last year among the 97 countries that have not ratified the 1980 Hague convention on international child abduction.

The convention provides a tight legal framework and means parents can apply to a UK central authority for their child's return.

Continue reading the main story Seek advice from a family lawyer and request an order stopping the child from being removed from the countryContact the police if the abduction is expected to take place within the next 48 hoursKeep the child's passport in a safe placeCall the Foreign Office's Child Abduction Section on 020 7008 0878

Source: FCO

The lack of international agreement in countries that have not signed up makes negotiations extremely complex for UK authorities.

Foreign Office (FCO) minister Jeremy Browne said this meant prevention was important.

"The FCO will do whatever we can to provide advice and support but our role is limited, not least because we cannot interfere in the laws of another country."

Between April 2010 and March 2011, the number of children being abducted to Pakistan fell from 24 to 21, and to India from 14 to nine. But abductions to Algeria rose from zero to nine.

There were 105 abductions to non-treaty countries in 2008-09.

Warning signs

The FCO's Child Abduction Section dealt with a total of 264 new cases of parental abduction in the past 12 months, including cases involving countries covered by the Hague convention.

These cases are then passed on to one of three central authorities covering England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Continue reading the main story

Kept in Australia by father following a holiday aged 12.

Her mother initiated court proceedings as country is part of Hague convention.

Faced verbal and emotional abuse for the nine months it took her to be returned home.

Suffered childhood depression and became suicidal from coping with trauma and protecting sister.

Says it took her 15 years to come to terms with experience and is still tackling depression.

The government will be promoting its awareness campaign on parenting websites Mumsnet and the Fatherhood Institute.

Sharon Cooke, from the Reunite International Child Abduction Centre, said there were warning signs which parents should look out for - the most obvious being the breakdown of a relationship.

Other warning signs include: a sudden interest in getting a passport or a copy of a birth certificate for the child; a parent expressing a wish to holiday alone with the child; or a sudden change in circumstances, including leaving a job or accommodation.

She said statistics for January to May 2011 showed a 21% increase in the number of abductions to non-treaty states compared with the same period last year.

"The psychological impact on children can be traumatic and for the left-behind parent, the shock and loss are unbearable, particularly if they don't know where their child is," she said.

Ms Cooke told BBC Breakfast the experience was "very difficult both for the left behind parent and for the child".

She added that it does not just affect the youngster's childhood, but often "carries on into their adulthood as well".

And she warned that, beyond official figures, there may be "many more" cases of abductions that authorities are unaware of.

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Teenagers to challenge fees rise

24 June 2011 Last updated at 16:21 GMT Tuition fees will rise in universities in England from 2012 Two teenagers have been given the right to mount a High Court challenge to plans to increase tuition fees at England's universities.

A judge has ruled that their case should be given a full hearing - a judicial review.

Fees at England's universities are due to rise from about ?3,000 a year now to a maximum of ?9,000 a year in 2012.

The students, aged 16 and 17, say the rise will contravene human rights law.

They will argue that poorer students and those from ethnic minorities could be discriminated against by the change and that the government failed to give due regard to promoting equality of opportunity, required under discrimination law.

'Elitism and wealth'

Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers is representing the students, Callum Hurley from Peterborough and Katy Moore from London.

He said: "This is a major breakthrough and my clients now get a full hearing of their case which affects the next generations of students from less well-off backgrounds.

"This case challenges the government's bare-faced agenda to make our society one based on elitism and wealth."

From autumn 2012, universities in England will be able to increase fees.

The government originally said the maximum fee of ?9,000 should only be set in "exceptional circumstances", but so far two thirds of universities have indicated that they want to charge that amount for all or some of their courses.

It has not commented on this particular case but argues in general that its plans provide good support for poorer students.

Tuition fees will be covered by student loans, which graduates will begin paying off once they earn at least ?21,000 a year.

There will also be maintenance grants and extra loans for poorer students to cover living costs.

In addition, universities wanting to charge more than ?6,000 a year are being told they have to show they are working to attract poorer students.

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'Major gap' remains over pensions

27 June 2011 Last updated at 17:20 GMT Mark Serwotka, PCS union: "Our action has to continue"

There is still "a major gap" between the government and unions over plans to overhaul public sector pensions, TUC leader Brendan Barber has said.

Speaking after talks, he said there was "the possibility of agreement" in some areas, but key divisions remain.

Civil servants' union leader Mark Serwotka said "not one jot of progress" had been made on demands for staff to work longer and contribute more.

Up to 750,000 teachers and civil servants are set to strike on Thursday.

That action will still go ahead, involving members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), the University and College Union and the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union.

The walk-out, in England and Wales, is expected to disrupt thousands of schools.

Mr Serwotka - whose PCS union represents 300,000 civil servants, including coastguards, tax officials and court and job centre staff - said the government had shown "no interest in actually negotiating on any of the key principles at the heart of this dispute".

'Some movement'

Mr Barber agreed there were still major divisions between unions and the government over three key proposals - to raise the pension age, to increase workers' contributions and to link pension values to the generally lower consumer prices index (CPI) rather than the retail prices index (RPI).

The government has, however, said it will enter into separate discussions over the local government pension scheme, after unions warned that many members could opt out altogether if made to contribute much more - putting the whole existence of the scheme potentially at risk.

Continue reading the main story Norman Smith Chief political correspondent, BBC Radio 4

For all Mr Gove's tough talk - and dire warnings from some union leaders of a repeat of the 1926 General Strike - there's little desire on either side for a showdown.

Instead, though Thursday's strikes will go ahead, there is a clear preference to keep talking.

From the union perspective, they are acutely aware of the difficulty in sustaining any prolonged strike action at a time when many members are already struggling with pay cuts and high food and fuel costs.

On the government side, while some Tories would relish a symbolic "victory", the predominant view appears to be that ministers have more pressing issues.

Strikes are at their lowest level for a generation and ministers acknowledge the industrial landscape is different to that faced by Mrs Thatcher in the 1980s. The unions are no longer seen as a significant problem.

Both sides therefore have a strong incentive - for the time being - to keep on talking.

Mr Barber welcomed this development and said that, more broadly, ministers had indicated "some movement in their thinking on some issues".

"They are trying to look at ways of giving greater assurance that the value of people's pensions will be maintained," he said.

He added that more talks would talk place in July and the TUC was committed to taking part in them to try to reach an agreement.

The public sector union Unison - which represents more than 1.2 million workers - had warned that it would ballot its members for strike action if the talks proved unsatisfactory.

But Unison's leader Dave Prentis said that while "a massive cavern" remained between the two sides, no ballot would be called.

"I think we found today the government were willing to treat the negotiations seriously," he said.

"We thought that today may be the last day and we would be moving into conflict this evening, [but] they've agreed to two further meetings in July and we hope to negotiate through July.

"We'll make a decision based on the outcome of those negotiations."

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude described the talks as "constructive".

"This is a genuine consultation to which we are committed in order to try and agree a way forward with the unions, including on how to implement the changes on contributions set out in the spending review," he said.

On the local government scheme, Mr Maude said: "We recognise that the funding basis for the local government pension scheme is different.

"There are important implications for how the contributions and benefits interact... On that basis, we have agreed to have a more in-depth discussion with local government unions and the TUC about how we take these factors into account."

'Duty' to keep schools open

The government has insisted it has contingency plans in place to prevent any major disruption to essential services on 30 June.

But Education Secretary Michael Gove has been criticised after suggesting that parents should go into schools to help keep them running.

The prime minister's spokesman has since tried to clarify the matter: "Michael Gove simply said schools should make every effort to stay open to minimise inconvenience.

"This is not something we are doing from Whitehall - schools themselves should look at every option for staying open."

Mr Gove has also warned that the teaching profession is risking its reputation by striking and last week, he wrote to head teachers saying they had a "strong moral duty" to keep schools open during the strike.

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Schoolboy's game aids English classes

27 June 2011 Last updated at 15:52 GMT Crawford Johnston with the grammar cards he designed at primary school A pupil from Peterborough has created a game that is being used in English lessons at schools across the city.

Crawford Johnston initially designed the Creative Writing Magic Money Cards to help him understand English grammar.

The cards explain concepts such as the use of paragraphs and terms such as onomatopoeia.

"Money" points are allocated to each card and pupils are encouraged to use as many as possible to increase their winnings.

The onomatopoeia card explains it is related to "words that make the sound".

It cites examples including "the sausages sizzled in the frying pan" and lists other onomatopoeic words including slosh, thud and squish.

'Fun and competitive'

Crawford was still at primary school when he came up with the idea for the grammar cards.

One of the creative writing grammar cards designed to help children with their English lessons

"I thought it was an idea that was just going to work for me, to help me revise for exams," he explained.

"I didn't want to make it boring because then people would switch off.

"I wanted to make it fun - like a game - making it competitive so that children want to do it, rather than thinking that it's just another lesson."

The cards are intended for pupils aged nine to 15 and are tailored to fit in with Key Stages two and three of the National Curriculum.

Jonathan Lewis, assistant director of education and services at Peterborough City Council, confirmed that he had arranged for the cards to be distributed to all primary schools in the city.

The Johnston family hopes the success of the game will lead to it being used in more schools around the country.

Crawford, who is now 13, said he was excited by the prospect that his game might be used at other schools.

"If it's going to be used around the UK, it's fascinating. It's really something," he said.

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Gove strike letter angers heads

23 June 2011 Last updated at 15:34 GMT By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News The government is asking councils for information about the strikes Education Secretary Michael Gove has written to head teachers in England urging them to keep schools open wherever possible despite a strike by teachers next week.

Thousands of schools in England and Wales could close next Thursday when two teaching unions strike over plans to change their pensions.

Mr Gove's letter has angered head teachers.

But he says schools have a moral duty to parents and pupils to stay open.

And he sets out steps heads could take.

The letter says: "We all have a strong moral duty to pupils and parents to keep schools open and the government wants to help you to fulfil that.

"I am particularly concerned that school closures would cause great inconvenience to working families and single parents who will have to make ad hoc childcare arrangements and whose own working lives will be disrupted.

"I am confident that you will take effective steps to support schools in staying open and to minimise the impact on pupils and parents.

"I am aware that a number of our best school leaders are already putting in place contingency arrangements to ensure that their schools remain open."

'Unhelpful exhortations'

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "School leaders are fully aware of their moral duty to pupils and their parents and of their responsibilities regarding decisions about the operation of their schools.

"This problem is, however, not of their making.

"The solution to this problem is for the government to avert this dispute by seeking an urgent resolution to the current impasse rather than sending unnecessary and unhelpful exhortations."

Continue reading the main story

The coalition's spending cuts are closing more services for children”

End Quote Russell Hobby National Association of Head Teachers Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "Heads don't need lectures in their moral duties. They've been keeping schools open their entire careers. And will make the right choices in the coming action.

"The coalition's spending cuts are closing more services for children."

In his letter, Mr Gove tells schools they might be able to stay open by being flexible in terms of the curriculum, the length of the school day, class sizes and who they get to take lessons.

His message comes as many schools are contacting parents to let them know whether their children's schools will be closed during the strike action.

Teachers in England and Wales who are members of the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers are taking the action next Thursday, alongside other public sector workers who are striking over pensions and cuts.

A big teachers' union which is not taking part in the action - the NASUWT - has written to Mr Gove saying he is "exhorting schools to exploit and disregard statutory contractural provisions".

The union's general secretary Chris Keates said Mr Gove's advice to heads was "reckless" and could bring schools in to dispute with staff who were not taking industrial action.

Final-salary schemes

Teachers say plans to change pensions will see them working longer and paying more for pensions which will be worth less than they had expected.

The National Association of Head Teachers last week announced its intention to ballot on industrial action over pensions, but any possible action would not now take place this term.

A review by Lord Hutton has recommended changing public-sector pensions from final-salary schemes to those based on the average salary earned in a career.

The government recently confirmed that the public-sector retirement age would be linked to the state pension age, which is due to rise to 66, and that contributions would rise, in line with Hutton's recommendations.

Ministers are expected to give a detailed response to the review by the autumn.

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