Teacher Pay Award 2024-25
In July 2024, the Education Secretary accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendations, confirming the teacher pay award for the 2024-25 academic year. This decision outlined the expected salaries for school teachers in England for the upcoming year. Further information can be found here
Scottish Examination Reforms
In September 2024, the Scottish Government decided to retain formal exams for 15 and 16-year-olds, diverging from earlier proposals to abolish them. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced that while traditional exams would continue, certain practical subjects would see changes, including the discontinuation of some exams and a reduction in the range of subjects offered. This decision followed recommendations from independent experts advocating for major reforms, which were ultimately set aside. Further information can be found here.
Rise in Home Schooling
By October 2024, there was a notable increase in home schooling across the UK. Factors contributing to this trend included traditional schools’ challenges in supporting students with mental health issues and special educational needs. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these disparities, prompting a shift towards online and hybrid education models. Experts have expressed concerns about the quality of education and potential lack of oversight in home schooling environments. Further information can be found here and here
Teacher Workload and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Throughout 2024, the UK government focused on addressing teacher workload. A taskforce was established to explore how AI could assist in reducing routine tasks, thereby allowing teachers to dedicate more time to complex areas of teaching. Initiatives included a two-day hackathon where educators collaborated with data scientists to develop AI-driven solutions aimed at alleviating workload pressures. Further information can be found here
Educational Trends for 2024
In 2024, several key educational trends emerged in the UK:
– Integration of Technology: There was an increased emphasis on leveraging technology in teaching and learning, with a focus on AI-powered tools to enhance educational experiences; see here
– Focus on Soft Skills: Educational institutions placed greater importance on developing students’ soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, to better prepare them for the evolving job market; see more details here
– Adaptation to Decreasing Attention Spans: The rise of ‘nano learning’—delivering content in short, focused segments—was adopted to cater to students’ decreasing attention spans and enhance engagement. Click here for more information
Sources
- UK Government Education Hub (2024). Teacher Pay Award 2024-25 Confirmed by the UK Education Secretary. Available at: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/
- The Times (2024). SNP Ditches Proposal to Scrap Formal Exams for 15- and 16-Year-Olds. Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/snp-ditches-proposal-to-scrap-formal-exams-for-15-and-16-year-olds-s36f8x2rh
- Financial Times (2024). The Boom in Home Schooling Across the UK. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/364a65cf-4ec1-4f65-ba17-d7cf7ebb4b1a
- EdCo Pages (2024). Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities in UK Education for 2024. Available at: https://www.edcopages.co.uk/blog-posts/trends%2C-challenges-and-opportunities-in-uk-education-for-2024
- FE News (2024). Staying Relevant: Top 3 Education Trends for 2024. Available at: https://www.fenews.co.uk/exclusive/staying-relevant-top-3-education-trends-for-2024/