Proposals for the creation of two free schools for children with special educational needs have been approved.

The Department for Education today announced that an all-through school and a school for 14-19 year-olds will go ahead in Birmingham, following successful applications by the city council.

A Birmingham social enterprise that has supported nearly 1300 people with convictions has secured £100,000 of social investment to launch a new ethical recruitment agency and refurbish its training academy.

New Leaf Initiative, which is based in Allcock Street in Digbeth, is now planning to place 100 clients into work in the first year by supporting companies wishing to increase their social value to find and appoint motivated, local, work-ready people emerging from diverse and often disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Repair Shop presenter, Jay Blades, has said that he hopes to "level the playing field" for 570 students through a bursary in his name. He was invested as the first chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) on Wednesday.

The TV host had asked BNU, which he attended as a mature student, to fund a bursary for deprived students. "Education should be accessible for all and provide equal opportunities to succeed," he said.

More than £4 million of new hydrogen testing contracts have been secured within the Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS) at Coventry University. The £50 million research centre, a joint investment between Coventry University and global engineering consultancy FEV, is working with some of the world’s leading engine and vehicle manufacturers, electrification start-ups and UK and European research consortia to develop new solutions for e-mobility start-ups and zero-emission drive systems.

Pupils at a primary school in Birmingham studying the musical and cultural impact of global reggae stars UB40 are to perform to the band at a special assembly on Monday 27 February 2023.

Teachers at St Edward's Catholic Primary School added learning about the influential Brummie musicians to their Oracy Curriculum as a way of introducing different music genres to children and develop their understanding of culture, identity, and community.

Wolves footballer, Hwang Hee-chan, surprised a group of international students at the University of Wolverhampton during their tour of Molineux.

Hwang is a South Korean professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Premier League club, as well as the South Korean national team. Last week, 40 students from South Korea toured Molineux as part of their stay with the University.