Latest news with #BuckinghamUniversity
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Pupils in line for bumper A-level results next week as inflated grades 'could become new normal'
Are you collecting your A-level results next week? Click here for the Mail's guide to navigating Clearing Pupils are set to enjoy a bumper crop of A-level results next week as inflated grades become the 'new normal', a report predicts. The paper, from the Centre for Education and Employment Research (CEER) at Buckingham University, suggests the proportion getting top grades could remain above pre-pandemic levels. It means more than a quarter – up to 28 per cent – of entries may be awarded an A or A* grade. Author Professor Alan Smithers raised concerns that grade inflation 'may be creeping back in again' following repeated attempts to bring it under control. On Thursday, hundreds of thousands of sixth formers will pick up their A-level results and discover whether they have secured their university place. Last year, 27.8 per entries got at A or A*, a record high outside of the freak pandemic years of 2020 to 2022. This compares with 27.2 per cent in 2023 and 25.4 per cent in 2019. Professor Smithers said: 'A-level grades have a chance to settle down this year after the volatility of Covid and its aftermath. 'They are likely to be close to last year's where top grades were a percentage point or two above pre-Covid levels. 'This may not sound very much but, in fact, was an extra 14,200 A*s and 21,300 A*/As.' He said many of the factors which likely pushed up last year's results were still in place. These include a decision to raise top grades in languages to attract more entries. In addition, there has been an increase in people taking maths, which is known to produce more high grades. He added: 'I think that last year, with its unexpected increase in top grades, could well be the beginning of a new norm, higher than that of pre-Covid.' Last year's record high was a surprise because the Government had originally said it would return grading to pre-pandemic standards. After 2010, the then newly-formed exams regulator Ofqual was instructed to limit top grades to around a quarter of entries, to prevent grade inflation. This Tory initiative followed years of soaring grades under New Labour. However, during the pandemic, top grades ballooned to around half of entries due to exams being cancelled and teachers marking work. Grading was then gradually reduced to close to pre-pandemic levels between 2022 and 2023. Professor Smithers said A-level grades should have been 'back to normal' last year, but instead they rose again. He added: 'There has to be the suspicion that the inflation which bedevilled A-level grades in the days before Ofqual may be creeping back in again.' In his report, Professor Smithers also suggested that 'girls will do better than boys' once again at the top A-level grades. Last year, the proportion of girls' A-level entries awarded A or higher was 28.0 per cent, which was 0.4 percentage points higher than the equivalent figure for boys' entries – 27.6 per cent. He said: 'Sadly, the under-performance of boys is no more likely than in previous years to receive the attention it deserves. 'They and the country would benefit considerably if ways could be found of ensuring that the potential of many boys is not wasted.' His report also showed this year A-level entries for psychology and sociology are down, but entries for mathematics, physics and chemistry are up. Professor Smithers said: 'The swing towards maths and the sciences could be a response to the former government's promotion of them.' He added: 'I wonder if there is growing recognition that these social sciences promise more than they deliver, whereas the quantitative may be hard but they are meaningful.' A Department for Education spokesman said: 'These claims are completely false. 'It is vital that qualifications are rigorous, and we are confident in Ofqual's work, as the independent regulator, to manage the risk of grade inflation and ensure this is not impacting standards. 'This suggestion demonstrates a lack of understanding of Ofqual's role and the work they do every year to ensure fairness, with this year being no different.'
Telegraph
28-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
More than 600,000 graduates on benefits
More than 630,000 graduates are claiming benefits, according to official figures that cast doubt on the value of 'Mickey Mouse' degrees. A total of 639,000 people with an honours degree or similar level qualification are claiming Universal Credit, according to the first data of its kind released to Parliament. That is equal to more than one in nine (11.9 per cent) of Universal Credit claimants and is four percentage points below the proportion with no qualifications. Those without any qualifications who are receiving Universal Credit numbered 849,000, representing 15.9 per cent of claimants, according to the data from the Labour Force Survey for March to May this year, released to Parliament by the UK Statistics Authority. The data comes as the full-time employment rate for graduates has fallen from 61 per cent to 59 per cent, with some academics warning that too many degree-holders are leaving university without the skills they need to get a job. Prof Alan Smithers, the director of the centre for education and employment research at Buckingham University, said there was a significant mismatch between the degrees offered to students in a massively expanded university sector and the demands of the job market. He said he was 'not a fan' of the term 'Mickey Mouse' degrees, a phrase first coined by Baroness Hodge, the former Labour universities minister, to mean 'one where the content is perhaps not as rigorous as one would expect and where the degree itself may not have huge relevance in the labour market'. However, he said: 'I don't think we have really established the role of universities in society. We have just expanded them on the grounds that they were a good thing and fairness determined that everyone should have the opportunity to go. 'As a result of that, the system has grown. The kinds of things that are offered lead to degrees but don't qualify people for the kinds of employment that are available. Therefore, people work hard on degree courses for three years and then discover that they don't have much earning potential in the labour market.' He said there were some graduates, such as those who had chosen to be writers, actors or artists, who were 'quite relaxed' about claiming benefits. But others would have built up massive loan debts on courses that had been elevated to degree level when they did not need to be, such as education or media studies, he added. Prof Smithers said: 'Many institutions have become elevated to universities and many subjects have become elevated to call themselves degrees, but they then have to shovel things into them.' The data showed that people who had finished their academic career with top grade GCSEs (A-C, or 4-9) accounted for the highest proportion of Universal Credit claimants at 26.7 per cent. They comprised a total of 1.4 million people. That was almost five times the rate of those who had 'failed' their GCSEs by receiving grades D-G or equivalent, and who were also half as likely as graduates to be claiming Universal Credit. They numbered 304,000 and accounted for 5.7 per cent of claimants. Those with A-levels or the equivalent, but who had not gone to university, numbered 1.1 million and accounted for one in five (20.6 per cent) of claimants. The figures come as more graduates face earning the minimum wage, with the salary gap between university leavers and the country's lowest earners disappearing. Rapid increases in the National Living Wage mean a full-time worker on the UK's lowest salary now earns £25,500. Meanwhile, one in 10 graduate roles were advertised at £25,000 at the end of last year, according to Indeed data. 'Students being promised the moon' Neil O'Brien, a Tory MP who is leading the party's policy development and obtained the data through parliamentary questions, said it showed 'the serious problems with both welfare and low-value university courses'. He added: 'Students are running up huge debts, being promised the moon, but ending up on benefits.' Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: 'Today's graduates face the triple jeopardy of low-value degrees, a labour market crippled by Labour's job taxes and competition with AI for entry-level roles. 'The Government needs to grip this challenge. Their failure to reform welfare and economic mismanagement threatens the future of a new generation. Meanwhile, the taxpayer is footing the bill for unpaid student loans and graduates on benefits.' The Government noted that 87.6 per cent of graduates were in employment – compared with 68 per cent for non-graduates. Some 67.9 per cent of graduates were in high-skilled employment – compared with 23.7 per cent of non-graduates. A government spokesman said: 'We remain committed to our principles to reform the welfare system – those who can work should work and if you need help into work the Government should support you.'
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White British children are now minority in one in four schools
White British pupils are now the minority in one in four schools in England, official data reveal. Analysis of school census data, collected from more than 21,500 primaries and secondaries in January, shows that in a quarter of them, the majority of the cohort is recorded as ethnic minority or white non-British. In 72 schools, no white British pupils are recorded, and in 454, they make up less than 2 per cent of the student body. The demographic shift is apparent in many of the country's big cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Leicester. At Rockwood Academy, in Birmingham, for instance, none of the 1,084 students were recorded in the census as 'white British', while just 12 of the 2,779 pupils at Loxford School, in the London borough of Redbridge, were white British. The figures, released by the Department of Education this week, have been published as a report predicted that white British people will become a minority in the UK population within the next 40 years. The Buckingham University study projects a big rise in the proportion of the UK population comprising foreign-born and second-generation immigrants, from below 20 per cent to 33.5 per cent within the next 25 years. By the end of the century, six in 10 people in the UK will either not have been born in the UK, or will have at least one immigrant parent, and one in five will be Muslim, according to the report by Prof Matt Goodwin. The dramatic population change raises 'profound questions about the capacity of the UK state to both absorb and manage this scale of demographic change', he claimed. Concern about legal and illegal immigration levels, and their long-term impact, is fuelling a surge in support for Reform. In this week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, in Scotland, Labour prised a win from the SNP but only Reform saw a significant swing in its favour, taking 26.1 per cent of the vote. The party's performance has led to predictions that Reform is on course to pick up more than 10 seats in next year's Scottish Parliament elections, and poses a real threat in the 2029 general election. The school census data demonstrates that the white British share of the young population is in decline in many areas. Children in state schools in a third of council areas are now mostly ethnic minority or white non-British, up from about a quarter a decade ago. In all 32 London boroughs, apart from Bromley, white British children are in a minority. In Bromley, they make up 50.3 per cent. In Newham, just 5 per cent of children were recorded in the school census as white British. The figure in Harrow was 7 per cent. Other local authority areas in England where the majority of children are not white British include Manchester, Nottingham, Coventry, Luton, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Oldham and Blackburn and Darwen. The analysis of the school census figures excludes independent schools, schools where a high proportion of students had no ethnicity classification, and those where there were a very low number of pupils. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, raised the 'scandal' last week of white working-class educational failure, saying that children had been 'betrayed' and 'left behind in society'. Government data shows that only 21 secondary schools in England where more than a fifth of pupils are white working class had any record of success with this group. Nick Harrison, the chief executive of the Sutton Trust social mobility charity, said white working class underachievement was 'a ticking time bomb for equality of opportunity in our country'. In an attempt to steal ground from Reform, Ms Phillipson announced a new independent inquiry into white working class educational outcomes, which will be led by Sir Hamid Patel, the chief executive of a leading academies trust, and Estelle Morris, a former Labour education secretary. While the issue has been widely researched in the past, it has resulted in little or no action to try and tackle the problem. A comprehensive inquiry undertaken by the Commons education committee in 2021 found a significant educational achievement gap between white working class children and their more advantaged peers, and between this group and their equally disadvantaged ethnic minority counterparts. According to the report, attainment gaps are fuelled by high concentrations of poverty, inadequate resources, low teacher quality, and a lack of aspiration and investment in disadvantaged areas. Use of the term 'white privilege' was also criticised for potentially alienating disadvantaged white communities Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
White British children are now minority in one in four schools
White British pupils are now the minority in one in four schools in England, official data reveal. Analysis of school census data, collected from more than 21,500 primaries and secondaries in January, shows that in a quarter of them, the majority of the cohort is recorded as ethnic minority or white non-British. In 72 schools, no white British pupils are recorded, and in 454, they make up less than 2 per cent of the student body. The demographic shift is apparent in many of the country's big cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford and Leicester. At Rockwood Academy, in Birmingham, for instance, none of the 1,084 students were recorded in the census as 'white British', while just 12 of the 2,779 pupils at Loxford School, in the London borough of Redbridge, were white British. The figures, released by the Department of Education this week, have been published as a report predicted that white British people will become a minority in the UK population within the next 40 years. The Buckingham University study projects a big rise in the proportion of the UK population comprising foreign-born and second-generation immigrants, from below 20 per cent to 33.5 per cent within the next 25 years. By the end of the century, six in 10 people in the UK will either not have been born in the UK, or will have at least one immigrant parent, and one in five will be Muslim, according to the report by Prof Matt Goodwin. The dramatic population change raises 'profound questions about the capacity of the UK state to both absorb and manage this scale of demographic change', he claimed. Concern about legal and illegal immigration levels, and their long-term impact, is fuelling a surge in support for Reform. In this week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, in Scotland, Labour prised a win from the SNP but only Reform saw a significant swing in its favour, taking 26.1 per cent of the vote. The party's performance has led to predictions that Reform is on course to pick up more than 10 seats in next year's Scottish Parliament elections, and poses a real threat in the 2029 general election. The school census data demonstrates that the white British share of the young population is in decline in many areas. Children in state schools in a third of council areas are now mostly ethnic minority or white non-British, up from about a quarter a decade ago. In all 32 London boroughs, apart from Bromley, white British children are in a minority. In Bromley, they make up 50.3 per cent. In Newham, just 5 per cent of children were recorded in the school census as white British. The figure in Harrow was 7 per cent. Other local authority areas in England where the majority of children are not white British include Manchester, Nottingham, Coventry, Luton, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Oldham and Blackburn and Darwen. The analysis of the school census figures excludes independent schools, schools where a high proportion of students had no ethnicity classification, and those where there were a very low number of pupils. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, raised the 'scandal' last week of white working-class educational failure, saying that children had been 'betrayed' and 'left behind in society'. Government data shows that only 21 secondary schools in England where more than a fifth of pupils are white working class had any record of success with this group. Nick Harrison, the chief executive of the Sutton Trust social mobility charity, said white working class underachievement was 'a ticking time bomb for equality of opportunity in our country'. In an attempt to steal ground from Reform, Ms Phillipson announced a new independent inquiry into white working class educational outcomes, which will be led by Sir Hamid Patel, the chief executive of a leading academies trust, and Estelle Morris, a former Labour education secretary. While the issue has been widely researched in the past, it has resulted in little or no action to try and tackle the problem. A comprehensive inquiry undertaken by the Commons education committee in 2021 found a significant educational achievement gap between white working class children and their more advantaged peers, and between this group and their equally disadvantaged ethnic minority counterparts. According to the report, attainment gaps are fuelled by high concentrations of poverty, inadequate resources, low teacher quality, and a lack of aspiration and investment in disadvantaged areas. Use of the term 'white privilege' was also criticised for potentially alienating disadvantaged white communities
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
If white British people become a minority, the Left will be in serious trouble
Within the next 40 years, white British people will become a minority in this country. And by the year 2100, they'll account for only a third of the population. So predicted Professor Matt Goodwin of Buckingham University in a report this week. And, ever since, I've been pondering an intriguing question. If his prediction comes to pass, will the Left still support DEI? After all, the whole point of DEI – the progressive doctrine of 'diversity, equity and inclusion' – is to benefit minorities. So, if white British people become a minority, will Left-wing activists throw all their righteous energies into championing them? Perhaps they'll insist that job adverts give priority to applicants who are white British. And order schools to celebrate White British History Month. And, when political parties are seeking election candidates, demand that they increase white British representation by adopting all-white British shortlists. Equally, perhaps they'll call on the BBC to cast white British actors in non-white British roles. And argue that all non-white workers should undergo unconscious bias training, to check that they aren't harbouring prejudice against the white British community – or, as they're properly known, People of No Colour. I suppose it's possible. But, for some reason, I have a funny feeling they'll decide there's no longer any need for DEI – because, once the white British are a small minority, true social justice will finally have been achieved. In 2016, the late Canadian comedian Norm MacDonald told the greatest satirical joke of our age. It went like this. 'What terrifies me is if Isis were to donate a nuclear device and kill 50 million Americans. Imagine the backlash against peaceful Muslims?' A perfect skewering of 21st-century liberal priorities. I'm reminded of it often. For example, whenever there's a debate in the Commons or on the BBC about the grooming gangs scandal – and the talk, as always, turns swiftly to the dangers of Islamophobia. This week, I was reminded of that sublimely dark joke once again. And it was thanks to a truly mind-boggling article in the newspaper USA Today. Last Sunday, in the Colorado city of Boulder, a firebombing attack was launched on a group of Jewish people who had gathered to raise awareness of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Following the arrest, at the scene, of a 45-year-old Egyptian migrant who allegedly told police he wanted to 'kill all Zionist people', immigration officials began taking steps to deport his family, who are also Egyptian migrants. And how did USA Today choose to cover this development? By publishing a piece with the tear-jerking headline, 'Boulder Suspect's Daughter Dreamed of Studying Medicine. Now She Faces Deportation.' Beneath this headline we were informed that 18-year-old Habiba had recently won a 'Best and Brightest scholarship', and 'written about her hope of accomplishing great things'. Well, I suppose it's only natural that a newspaper would wish to focus on Habiba's plight. Because of course she's the real victim here. After a backlash from thousands of staggered readers, USA Today revised the article on its website, to give at least a little more prominence to the firebombing attack and the members of the public who were seriously injured in it – including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. Anyway, I hope that the newspaper's journalists aren't feeling too sad about the crushing of Habiba's dreams. Because I've got some wonderful news for them. Incredible though it may sound, the US isn't the only country on Earth where it's possible to study medicine. In fact, it can even be studied in Egypt. So there's really no need for Habiba to miss out. And if she doesn't fancy Egypt, there's an exciting alternative. She and her family can simply come and live in Britain. Here, after all, they can rest safe in the knowledge that we never deport anyone. More and more MPs, reports the BBC, are deciding against the legalisation of assisted suicide – or, to use the term preferred by its supporters, 'assisted dying'. These MPs say they supported the idea in principle, but now reluctantly concede that the bill lacks adequate safeguards. Good on them. But I hope that the many MPs who still support the bill will consider another crucial argument against. Which is that, if they legalise assisted suicide, the criteria for eligibility will inevitably widen, as it has in other Western countries. And so, in due course, we could end up like the Netherlands – where, last year, a woman in her 20s was granted an assisted suicide. She wasn't terminally ill. In fact, she wasn't physically ill at all. She was just depressed. It's chilling that the state would agree to such a request. But that's the sort of scenario we could easily see here. It'll be like a dystopian inversion of the Samaritans. If you tell the Samaritans that you're so depressed you want to die, its staff will do everything they can to dissuade you. But if you tell the state that you're so depressed you want to die, it'll say: 'Certainly, we'll book you straight in. Can you do Tuesday, 10 past three?' 'Way of the World' is a twice-weekly satirical look at the headlines while aiming to mock the absurdities of the modern world. It is published at 6am every Tuesday and Saturday Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
