A leaked document reportedly revealed that the government had dropped plans for a dedicated grant that would have allowed local education authorities to deal with unexpected influxes of children of refugee and asylum-seeking families.
Source: The Guardian, 7.12.02
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2002-Dec
The third edition was published of a guide to education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, updated to incorporate all the major changes in recent years including those in teachers' pay and conditions, pre-school education and post-16 provision.
Source: Gill Holt et al., Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: A Guide to the System, National Foundation for Educational Research (01753 747281)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
Researchers recommended an increase in the number of 'extended' schools - schools which act as the focal point for a range of family and community services, including childcare, healthcare, sport and artistic activities, as well as adult learning.
Source: Alan Dyson, Alan Millward and Liz Todd, A Study of the Extended Schools Demonstration Projects, Research Report 381, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A guide provided a step-by-step account of how to create better designed school buildings through the Private Finance Initiative.
Source: Achieving Well-Designed School Buildings through PFI, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (020 7960 2400)
Links: Guide (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
An official report conceded that Education Action Zones have so far had little impact at secondary school level.
Source: Education Action Zones: Annual Report 2001, Department for Education and Skills (0800 731 9133)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 3.1
Date: 2002-Sep
A collection of essays examined the core functions of local education authorities, and the case for them to be exercised by other bodies.
Source: Philip Collins (ed.), An Authority in Education?: The future of LEAs, Social Market Foundation (020 7222 7060)
Links: No link
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 3.3
Date: 2002-Jul
Office for Standards in Education examined local education authority strategies for tackling teacher shortages.
Source: Recruitment and Retention of Teachers and Headteachers: Strategies Adopted by LEAs, HMI 709, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833) and Audit Commission
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 3.4)
Date: 2002-Jun
The success rate of appeals by parents against refusal of admission fell (England, 2000-01).
Source: Admission Appeals for Maintained Primary and Secondary Schools in England 2000-01, Statistical Bulletin 15/2002, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Statistical Bulletin (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 3.6)
Date: 2002-Jun
A London council became the first to be fined after one of its schools broke national rules on interviewing pupils before admission.
Source: Prendergast School, Brockley & London Borough of Lewisham, Local Government Ombudsman (020 7915 3283)
Links: Summary of judgement
Date: 2002-May
