Education

In the coming weeks, many young people will be starting a long-term relationship, but it's not of a romantic nature—it's with their student bank account. As students head off to university, banks and building societies are eager to attract them with enticing offers, such as attractive perks and generous overdraft limits, in hopes of retaining them as customers beyond their academic years. While it's not mandatory to open a student bank account—standard current accounts are also an option—student accounts provide unique benefits tailored specifically for university life. Here’s a summary of the key perks and interest-free overdraft options from major banks. Perks: £100 cash and a free tastecard (valued at £55 per year, although current membership costs £29.99). Interest-Fre...

Michael Gove’s free schools program has been linked to increased social segregation and a decline in student numbers at neighboring schools, according to a recent analysis of the initiative. Promoted as a major achievement of the 14-year Conservative-led government, free schools were intended to enhance educational quality and expand parental choice. They aimed to drive improvements in nearby schools and create a "galvanizing effect" across the education system. However, new research from University College London, shared with the Observer, indicates that the introduction of free schools has been associated with greater segregation among primary school students, particularly along ethnic lines. The study also found no significant improvement in student attainment at nearby primary sc...