Cribsheet 28.01.11

University bonuses and graduates out of work

Jessica Shepherd, education correspondent, has seen this on the front page of one of Cambridge University's student papers, The Cambridge Student. The paper has a leaked document which shows that four members of staff in the university's investment office earned bonuses totalling 450,000 last year and took home a combined salary of 461,500.

The university says the bonuses were agreed "on the basis of results achieved" and are published annually. The Cambridge Student reports that last year, the university claims it saw a 19.2% increase in the total value of its investments.

Meanwhile, research suggests that almost half of new graduates feel "ill-equipped" for the world of work. One in four go so far as saying they wouldn't recommend higher education to A-level students. The survey, by recruitment website totaljobs.com, paints a worrying picture for graduates trying to enter the job market.

More than a third (38%) of recent graduates have claimed jobseeker's allowance since leaving university. The findings support grim figures released by the Office for National Statistics earlier this week showing that a fifth of all recent graduates are out of work.

More changes announced in yesterday's education bill mean ministers have more powers to intervene in failing schools. Michael Gove's bill enables the education secretary to order councils to close and give out warning notices to failing schools.

Add your comment to the debate taking place about these education reforms.

More education news from the Guardian

Students weigh up the two-year law degree

Student visa cuts will harm universities, ministers told

Charlie Gilmour among seven charged over student protests

Letter: Abandon kettling before weekend protest

Education news from around the web

The BBC reports that 250 Sure Start centres could close within a year, according to a survey for two charities.

The Telegraph reports that applications to teach certain subjects have dropped by almost 40 per cent, leading to fears of staff shortages.

News from America also reaches us of a dispute that led to a university professor being charged with peeing on a colleague's door.

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Competition

Children aged between seven and 14 can now enter the Young Human Rights reporter of the year competition, run by learnnewsdesk, the Guardian's online news service for schools, and Amnesty International. A winner and two runners-up in the primary and secondary school categories will win a trip to Amnesty International and the Guardian headquarters in London as well as an MP3 recorder. The closing date for entries is 14 February.