Government efforts to improve the quality and take-up of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills have yielded some positive results but there remains an urgent need for departments to set out a shared view of what they are trying to achieve and a co-ordinated plan for achieving it.
The government needs to do more to demonstrate how new arrangements for training new teachers are improving the quality of teaching in classrooms.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 16 led by the Cabinet Office: ‘Increase the proportion of socially excluded adults in settled accommodation and employment, education or training’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 13 led by the Department for Education: ‘Improve children and young people’s safety’
UK Government says it is on track to meet target to resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020. Local authorities’ ability to secure suitable school places and houses a risk to success. NAO estimate programme will cost £1.12bn by 2020.
DFID has successfully supported developing countries in progress against goals of universal enrolment in primary education and improved educational prospects for girls. However, more emphasis on quality and cost-effectiveness is important.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 10 led by the Department for Education: ‘Raise the educational achievement of all children and young people’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 11 led by the Department for Education: ‘Narrow the gap in educational attainment between children from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers respectively’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 12 led by the Department for Education: ‘Improve the health and well-being of children and young people’
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 14 led by the Department for Education: ‘Increase the number of children and young people on the path to success’
Young people are making complex choices about higher education without much effective help and advice, and the institutions concerned are under very little competitive pressure to provide best value.
The progress made by a programme to modernise the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Our financial audit reports contain audit opinions on accounts across the public sector.
Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 covering the period 2008-2011
Review of the data systems for Public Service Agreement 4 led by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: ‘Promote world class science and innovation in the UK’
Most academies have made good progress in improving GCSE results, and the programme is on track to deliver good value for money. Performance is rising faster than in other types of schools although results in English and maths are low. Academies have cost more to build than other schools, but most academy buildings are high […]
The NAO has concluded in a new report published today that the tendering process for PFI projects needs improvement. During 2004-2006, PFI projects took an average of almost three years (34 months) to tender. Although there was substantial variation between sectors with schools, in particular, taking significantly less time to close deals (25 months), the […]
The O2, a central part of plans to regenerate the Greenwich Peninsula, opened on time in June 2007 and has become a highly successful entertainment venue which has boosted local employment. According to the National Audit Office, however, housing development on the rest of the Peninsula is taking longer than originally expected, and financial returns […]