Work-related Learning John Ratcliff, Acting Director of Young People's Learning for the Learning and Skills Council, looks at plans to introduce formal work-related learning into the curriculum, following the introduction of a statutory requirement at key stage 4. The Much Heralded Reform Package Scotland Editor John Dobie examines the much heralded Scottish schools reform package, looking at the main points for current and future action. Short Reports Pensioner access to education; pupil performance in smaller class sizes; CBI criticism of public-private partnerships; basic qualifications; and school ICT. Letter from Scotia Our Scotland Editor John Dobie reports on the outcome of the controversial Bill giving Scottish ministers interventionist powers over schools and EAs. Media Watch Ruth Kelly's religious beliefs and the Tomlinson reforms. Ofsted Scorecards Ofsted and the Audit Commission have published the Comprehensive Performance Assessment for the 150 LEAs in England for 2004. This feature includes a list of all 150 English LEAs, their scores for 2004 and their ratings for the last three years. People New appointments at the Atlantic College and London University's IoE. General section Humour Tony Blair faces a choice between heaven and hell. Conferences George Low reports from the Basic Skills Agency conference, where the Agency announced it will concentrate on innovation to improve teaching and learning. Obituary We record with regret the death of Sir Edward Britton, former general secretary of the National Union of Teachers. Opinion John Izbicki on the teaching of foreign languages in schools. Iftikhar Ahmad, director of the London School of Islamics, on the High Court's decision to uphold a school's ban on wearing Jilbabs. Reference section Book Review Michael Marshall reviews What is the LEA for? from EMIE at NFER, which analyses the roles and functions of the LEA. Document Reviews The documents reviewed this month are Skills for Life: Improving Adult Literacy and Numeracy from the NAO and Out of School: a survey of the educational support and provision for pupils not in schools from Ofsted. Document Digest Reports Digest Reports from LEAs on educational inclusion strategy; a multi-agency data and information sharing protocol; guidance for record keeping and retention; a strategy for special educational needs; and the use of school premises for community purposes. Research section Research Digest Research Notes Our Research Editor Michael Marshall looks at issues of research quality raised at the NCSL Research Associates conference. Networked Learning Communities Michael Marshall reports on a paper on NLCs delivered at the NCSL conference by Peter Rubery of Fallibroome High School. Building Bridges Headteacher of Sunderland High School's Junior School, James Turner, presents a study of independent-state school partnerships. E-learning in Scottish FE A study conducted by SCRE and SCROLLA. Short Research Reports Brief reports on tranformational leadership, parent governors, school selection and prison learning. Parliamentary section Westminster: the Second Reading of the Education Bill Nick Kent, editor of Education Parliamentary Monitor, reports on the Second Reading of the Education Bill. Scottish Parliament: Education Questions Helen Grimmett, editor of EPM Scotland, reports on answer oral questions about the removal of charitable status from independent schools and on capital spending in the state sector. Welsh Assembly: Repairs, FE and Transport A report on the Welsh First Minister's answers to questions about tackling disrepair in schools, funding of FE and the effects of the School Transport Bill. Parliamentary Questions Answers to written parliamentary questions include those covering the pupil teacher ratios and class size. Phoenix Victorian Schools week and the HHC.