Cuts to research funding ‘could force university closures’

Due to the recent government budget cuts for research, up to 40 universities are now facing closure of departments, and in some cases, the whole institution. Most of the universities which will be severley affected by these cuts are former polytechnics, but some Russell group universities will also suffer. For example, Newcastle university is due to lose 16% of its research budget, which will result in a large amount of job cuts.

With teaching budgets having already being cut, students applying to university are now facing going to universites with larger classes and less research expertise.

School GPS admissions rule

School admissions rules have prioritised children living in ground-floor flats over those living in higher levels as the distance from the school is measured both horizontally and vertically.  This means that children living within the same tower block of flats may not have an equal chance to get into the same school.

Some councils are using GPS satellites to calculate how far families live from their chosen schools- this can be worked out to within 4 or more decimal places of a mile.

This is causing a great deal of stress and upset for parents aiming to get their child a place in particular schools.

What do you think about this admissions rule?

Bursaries fail to attract poor students to top universities

A recent study has shown that bright students, capable of becoming students at some of the country's top universities, are reluctant to apply, regardless of the bursaries worth thousands of pounds that they are offered. This is thought to be because the bursary system can be perceived to be too confusing, which has put many student off applying.

Possible solutions which these universities are considering to overcome this issue are to visit schools in deprived areas, and to maybe even waive the tuition fees for the poorest students.

Do you think that this strategy will help entice more students to the best universites in the country?

Schools focusing attention on middle-ability pupils to boost results

Recently, many schools have been trying to boost their GCSE results (which consequently leads to climbing their way up the league tables and impressing OFSTED inspectors) by focusing more attention on the middle-ability students.  This may help the middle-ability students get  the 5 A*-C grades the schools are aiming for, but this comes at a cost by jeopordising the results for both the high and low-ability students.  The higher-ability students are not given enough work and support to push them to get the A and A* grades they deserve. However, it seems that the lower-ability students are suffering the most. As schools are focusing on obtaining at least C grades for the middle-ability students, lower-ability students in English may also be placed in lower-ability classes for Mathematics, even if their Mathematics ability is stronger than some of the middle-ability students.

Do you agree that this is the right way for schools to try to improve in the league tables? How would you feel if your child was not getting sufficient support due to this method schools have been practising for years?

Firms could sponsor private school places???

An article in The Times this weekend has unveiled that corporate scholarships may be given to state school students to allow more students the opportunity of an education at an independent school.  The main aim of this scheme is to prepare bright students more for university and encourage more to take maths and science-based subjects.

Students at state schools who are wanting to study sciences and maths at A-level, could apply for one of the 1000 scholarships available in the independent sector thanks to many banks and businesses.

This scheme is already taking place at the City of London School, thanks to a collaboration with HSBC, and has proved successful.  How do you think that the scheme will work nationally?

11+ Entrance Exams

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Half-Term Course 2010

A course for those who are sitting 11+ Entrance exams after the Half-Term -especially for state school exams.

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Dates: 25 - 29 October 2010

Time: 10:00am - 13:00pm

Christmas Revision Course

A 6-day course for students sitting for Independent Schools in January 2011.

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Dates: 20 - 23 December 2010 and 3 - 4 January 2011

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