Editorial

Over three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to divest from fossil fuel investments, removing £17.7bn in endowments from the industry, according to the student campaign group People & Planet. The campaign group will release its ethical and environmental university rankings later this month and then encourage the remaining UK universities to go fossil-free. 

Planning a family ski holiday can be tricky when it coincides with looming assessments and entrance exams. However, as we explained to Family Traveller, children can stay on top of their studies while enjoying precious family time with the help of a travelling tutor and integrated apres-ski school lessons. Read the full story here. 

Aiming to protect young people from the "harms" of social media, Australia’s parliament approved strict laws that ban children under 16 from accessing platforms. The legislation, which will not take effect for at least a year, does not specify which platforms will be banned but could see companies facing fines of up to £25.7million if they do not comply. 

Dongduk Women’s University, one of South Korea’s seven remaining women’s colleges, is considering transitioning to a coeducational system, sparking strong opposition from students and alumnae. While the administration insists no decision has been made, the debate reflects broader concerns about the future of women’s universities in South Korea. 

Former UK Conservative Party leader and Foreign Secretary, William Hague has been elected as the new Chancellor of the University of Oxford, succeeding Lord Chris Patten. The position as Chancellor is a mainly ceremonial figurehead, representing the university and supporting its governance in a symbolic capacity. 

The UK’s Chevening scholarship programme has reopened applications for Afghan nationals based in Afghanistan for the 2025-26 academic year. Funded by the British government, the scheme offers fully funded master’s degrees in the UK to individuals with leadership potential. 

A major review of England's national curriculum, led by Professor Becky Francis, is set to conclude its consultation phase, potentially recommending reforms to broaden subject offerings and streamline exams. The review aims to address concerns over declining uptake of arts subjects, attributed to the English Baccalaureate, which prioritises core GCSEs like English, maths, and science.

The UK is considering a potential ban on social media for under-16s, according to Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle. Kyle urged the regulator Ofcom to use its new powers under the Online Safety Act, which mandates tech firms to protect children from harmful content, to ensure online safety.

Facing the upcoming VAT charge on fees from January 2025, many UK private schools are aligning with chains to protect themselves from the impact. Prestigious institutions like Wetherby School have joined networks such as Inspired Education, offering financial stability and alleviating VAT costs for parents, while others like Heath House Prep have opted to absorb VAT costs entirely. 

The Independent Schools Council (ISC), representing 1,400 private schools, has voted to pursue legal action against the UK government’s VAT introduction on school fees, set for January 2025. Leading barrister Lord David Pannick KC will spearhead the challenge, which will focus on alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights, including discrimination and the right to education.

Imperial College London has opened Imperial Global USA, a new hub in San Francisco, California. Aimed at enhancing UK-US scientific collaboration, the hub will support convergence science and aims to foster over 100 partnerships in 2025 to address key challenges, from climate change to healthcare innovation. 

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that from January 2025, private school fees will be subject to 20% VAT, and that business rates relief would be removed from April 2025 onwards. Also announced in the Autumn Budget was the additional allocation of £1bn for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of a broader £2.3bn increase in school funding.

Eight universities have formed the Global Humanities Alliance with the aim of defending and elevating the importance of the humanities and social sciences in the political sphere. Comprised of member universities in the UK, India, Chile, Thailand, Australia and more, the Alliance aims to promote collaboration through joint research, global teaching, and exchange programs. 

Whether parents need to understand the nuances of the British school system or would like help navigating key entry points for their child, we know that the right support can make all the difference. That’s why our Education Manager, Amelia, shared her expert tips for making the transition as smooth as possible in the latest issue of British Education. Read the full story here - https://www.flipsnack.com/6ED5D7EEFB5/british-education-relocation/full-view.html

The Economics Prize was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson for their research on the influence of colonial institutions on economic disparities among nations. Meanwhile, the Physics Prize was awarded to Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield for their work in machine learning, and the Literature prize to South Korean writer Han Kang.