Research

English & maths vital for employment prospects

GCSE grade boundaries in English may do more than just provoke protest from ambitious parents.  It may also directly affect employment prospects for young people.

Research from the Centre for Cities has examined relative pupil performance across UK cities to show the importance of English and Maths in providing a good grounding for employment, and in helping consolidate the strength of local economies.  The think tank found a strong relationship at city level between the proportion of young people achieving at least 5 A*-C GCSEs including English and maths (excluding equivalents) and the level of youth unemployment. 

Elsewhere in the research they found that pupil background is a strong determinant of educational attainment, but that schools in some areas are demonstrating that disadvantage can be overcome.  In London schools for example, social background and previous educational attainment do not necessarily pre-determine GCSE results.  Over 47% of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in London achieve at least 5 A*-C GCSEs (or equivalents) including English and maths, compared with 35% nationally.

For more information about the research visit www.centreforcities.org/topmarks

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Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 News, Research No Comments

Growth driving engineers in short supply

A new report from the Royal Academy of Engineering has brought together evidence to show the positive impact of engineers on economic growth, but with a warning that the UK does not produce enough of them.

The report argues that around 1.25 million science, engineering and technology professionals and technicians are needed by 2020, including a high proportion of engineers, to support the UK’s economic recovery.

The minimum number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates required just to maintain the status quo is 100,000 a year with a further 60,000 individuals with Level 3 STEM qualifications for the period 2012-2020.  However, only 90,000 STEM students currently graduate annually and, as around a quarter of engineering students choose non-science, engineering or technology occupations, there is already a shortfall.

Read the full report at www.raeng.org.uk/jobsandgrowth

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Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 News, Research No Comments

Strong business case for employing young people

Young people are generally among the most disadvantaged groups in the labour market because they lack the experience of the workplace and the job-specific skills that employers ask for.  A report by the CIPD claims that recruitment practices may be adding to the problem.

The report found that despite employers recognising their important role in helping tackle youth unemployment, a quarter have not employed any young people aged 16 – 24 in the last year.  They cite ‘fear’ and ‘lack of habit’ as major reasons, as well as, “routine requests” for graduate level knowledge and skills, even if they are not required for jobs.

The report explores employers’ perceptions of young people and sets out the business case for employing them, arguing the five key benefits are the:

  • Opportunity to draw on significant talent;
  • Unique skills, new ideas and enthusiasm young people can offer;
  • Ability to harness the benefits of a truly diverse workforce;
  • Positive effect on brand and reputation; and,
  • Cost-effectiveness of employing young workers.

For the full analysis click here.

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Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 News, Research No Comments

EBacc squeezes subject choice

With EBacc subjects poised to become the critical core of a future National Curriculum for young people in England, the Government has published its latest research paper on the impact of the EBacc on schools and pupil choice.

Over 600 schools responded to the survey, carried out by IPSOS Mori on behalf of DfE. 

The researchers found that adoption of EBacc subjects seems to have reached “steady state”, with 46% of 2011 Year 9 pupils and 49% this year due to take the EBacc combination of GCSE subjects in the forthcoming summer exam series.  This contrasts with 22% in the 2010 summer exams.  Equally as dramatic, many schools (87% up from 48%) feel they’ve made most of the changes needed to accommodate EBacc subjects.

The report also shows that while the EBacc has inevitably had some impact on curriculum offers and pupil choice, the traditional virtues of choosing a subject you’re good at and which can help you along your preferred career path, remain strong:

“While most recognised that the EBacc subjects were in general the most useful subjects for some pupils, pupils and parents/carers firmly believed that choices had to be down to the individual’s preferences and abilities.”

Though there have been big surges in student numbers taking science, history and geography, it seems some subjects have faired less well, having to make way for EBacc subjects.  The dropping in some schools of creative, technical and vocational options continues to raise real concerns for many about the nature of the curriculum offer for some pupils.

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Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 News, Policy, Research No Comments

DfE to publish school research bulletins

The Department for Education has announced plans to “make it easier for Headteachers and teachers to have free access to high-quality research.”

Schools Research News is a monthly publication, which will provide summaries of newly published research from a variety of sources – including peer-reviewed journals, research funded by education charities and school-led research both nationally and internationally.  Content may not reflect the views of the Department.

Research Bites are 90-second PowerPoint presentations with summaries of key research for practitioners to share among colleagues and at staff meetings. They focus on practical classroom issues.

Click here for more information.

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Friday, February 3rd, 2012 News, Research No Comments

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