In this report the Education Committee stresses that the Department for Education must maintain sufficient focus on the critical children's policy agenda to ensure this is given adequate resources and receives enough attention from senior officials and ministers. Children's policy must retain sufficient status alongside schools and colleges, which appear to occupy the majority of Ministerial and officials' time. The Committee's report - which considers evidence from current and former DfE Board members, and independent experts - commends several aspects of the DfE's governance and leadership, including the appointment of four skilled and experienced new non-executives. The Committee recommends, however, that the Board be subject to increased external scrutiny. The DfE should also consider appointing a non-executive Board member with expertise in children's policy issues, and must do more improve staff morale. MPs also suggest a number of improvements to the DfE's current restructuring plans. Central amongst these is a recommendation for the Department to evaluate the impact of structural change on the front line and on customer service.
Now in its 48th edition, the Handbook is an authoritative annual compendium of Britain, providing an up-to-date account of all the latest policy developments in the UK.
This Science and Technology Committee report on practical experiments in school science lessons and science field trips concludes that many students are receiving poor practical science experiences during their secondary school education. There was no credible evidence to support the frequently cited explanation of health and safety concerns for a decline in practicals and trips. Instead, more focus is needed on what happens after teachers have been recruited to the profession: knowledge and practical skills must be maintained and developed in order for high quality science education to be delivered. High quality science facilities and qualified and experienced technical support are vital. A career structure for technical staff should be provided and the government should ensure schools provide science facilities to match its aspirations for science education. Practical science is relatively expensive and carries little cachet for parents comparing schools. The inspection regime and the requirements set for exam boards should therefore drive higher quality with more and better practical science lessons. The Committee also found a lack of coherence in the provision of science educational materials. It urges the science community to utilise the STEM directories - the online database of STEM enhancement and enrichment activities for schools and colleges - and calls on the government to secure the future of the directories which provide vital contacts between schools and scientists. Finally, the committee urges the government to provide a detailed strategy on how it intends to achieve its ambition to increase participation in school science subjects.
3rd report Tackling inequalities in life expectancy in areas with the worst health and deprivation (Department for Health); 4th report Progress with VFM savings and lessons for cost reduction programmes (HM Treasury); 5th report Increasing rail capacity (Department for Transport); 6th report Cafcass's response to increased demand for its services (Department for Education); 7th report Funding the development of renewable energy technologies (Department for Energy and Climate Change); 8th report Customer first programme: delivery of student finance (Department for Business, Innovation and Science); 9th report Financing PFI projects in the credit crisis and the Treasury's response (HM Treasury); 10th report Managing the Defence budget and estate (Ministry of Defence); 11th report Community care grant (Department for Work and Pensions); 12th report Central Government's use of consultants and interims (Cabinet Office); 13th report Bilateral support to primary education (Department for International Development)
3rd report Tackling inequalities in life expectancy in areas with the worst health and deprivation (Department for Health); 4th report Progress with VFM savings and lessons for cost reduction programmes (HM Treasury); 5th report Increasing rail capacity (Department for Transport); 6th report Cafcass's response to increased demand for its services (Department for Education); 7th report Funding the development of renewable energy technologies (Department for Energy and Climate Change); 8th report Customer first programme: delivery of student finance (Department for Business, Innovation and Science); 9th report Financing PFI projects in the credit crisis and the Treasury's response (HM Treasury); 10th report Managing the Defence budget and estate (Ministry of Defence); 11th report Community care grant (Department for Work and Pensions); 12th report Central Government's use of consultants and interims (Cabinet Office); 13th report Bilateral support to primary education (Department for International Development)
The reports published as HC 470 (ISBN 9780215555106); HC 440 (9780215555144); HC 471 (9780215555205); HC 439 (9780215555243); HC 538 (9780215555434); HC 424 (9780215555496); HC 553 (9780215555502); HC 503 (9780215555571); HC 573 (9780215555595); HC 610 (9780215555656); HC 594 (9780215555717), session 2010-11
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