The aim of this paper is to explore the key roles of higher education institutions based in the UK in terms of developing key skills to further prepare students for employment. The paper is exploring several key authorities and agencies based in the UK that have significant responsibility to assuring the quality of higher education in the country. The paper is focused on several key themes that are related to the research topic which can be summarised as the following: Culture, Graduate attributes and employability. The research is based on a review of a number of secondary sources from academic and professional articles as well as relevant agencies reports such as the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and according to the performance indicators published by the Higher Education Funding Council For England (HEFCE).

The aim of this paper is to explore the importance of research informed teaching in higher education and possible methods of imbedding it into the teaching practice. The paper is providing clarity on the key typologies of applying research informed teaching which can be divided as the following: Firstly, research led approach. Secondly, research-oriented approach. Thirdly, research-based approach. Fourthly, research tutored approach. The paper is also providing a case study based on the school of business and hospitality management within London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) to share practices that are currently being applied or planned as future activities. Furthermore, the paper is providing key benefits and challenges of embedding research informed teaching in curriculum. The paper concludes highlighting key recommendations derived from the review as well as the case study provided.

Performance management in the public sector is faced with a unique batch of challenges, and these challenges need to be addressed and overcome if universities can hope to succeed in achieving their missions. And yet, many organizations are not even aware that these challenges exist. They’re using recommended models and tools but often applying them in the wrong way or wrong context and therefore not seeing the results they would hope for oganizations have to build their capacity and improve their organizational effectiveness with an eye towards sustainability and long-term change. Student recruitment is driven by the need to fill available places, but is also influenced by issues of quality, income generation and equity in participation. Funding is a constant source of concern, for both teaching and research, with institutions looking to both diversify and maximise income streams, whilst also looking to achieve enhanced efficiency and value for money. Globalisation and internationalisation, and new technology, pose additional challenges to universities. However, arguably the greatest pressures arise from increasing competition and marketisation, and from the politicisation of higher education.

Completion, access and participation in education are currently the most important ones in the implementation of education for all. This is particularly so when one considers the problems surrounding early marriages observed to lead to lower school completion rates and increased dropouts. It is with this in mind that the present study sought to examine the extent of early marriage practice on students’ completion and drop out in Nyamira North sub-county, Nyamira County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population was 38 Principals and students and 1400 parents. The sample was 322 students, 38 G/C teachers and parents. The survey instruments were piloted in Kisii County using the test-re-test method. The reliability coefficient obtained was 0.78 which was considered good enough for a scientific study. In addition, the research instruments were subjected to the scrutiny of two experts who established face as well as content validity. Data was collected from respondents using a specially designed questionnaire and interview schedule. The findings may enable students to obtain an education that is likely to lengthen their stay in school thus ending up in avoiding early marriages. The findings of the present study revealed that most of the principals, 52 percent responded that the extent of early marriage practice on students’ completion and drop out is very high. Few of them saw it as normal and that was 10.3 percent while 3.9 reported that not applicable at all. It also found out those 23 G /C teachers which makes up 61 percent agreed that female students are more linked to dropout than boys. The study concluded that more effort by all stakeholders be encouraged to retain students in schools till completion. The study recommended that guidance and counseling in schools be activated, G/C teachers should be motivated and equally important, the chaplaincy programs be initiated in schools for spiritual edification. The study considered the ethical considerations and respondents were explained the purpose of the study, guarded against plagiarism and respondents consent was sought.

Academic performance in Nyandarua Central sub-county has been dwindling for more than a decade now with no tangible cause got so far. Several educationists have been unable to unearth what ails it, mainly targeting teaching methods and improving them through Strengthening mathematics and science Education initiative, (SMASE), with no improvement and have left it to persist, prompting the locals to feel obliged to search for solutions to their problem. This study therefore sought to establish the influence of divorce on student's academic achievement in public secondary schools in Nyandarua Central sub- county, Kenya. The study was governed by Joyce Epstein’s theory of parental involvement in children’s academic achievement. The study used mixed methodology and concurrent triangulation design in data collection and analysis, by first clustering the twenty schools into day and boarding schools which have unique manifestation of extraneous causes and of non-performance in academics. The target population was secondary school students in public schools in this sub county are 12,800 of whom those that experience conflict at home number 4,661 and 960 parents and 600 teachers out of whom the sample was 270 students, 180 teachers and 240 parents. Data on performance was collected from progressive performance records of end tem examinations, while information on family conflict was gathered using questionnaires for students, teachers and parents and interview schedules for clarity and to increase response rate by busy respondents. Validity was done by the expert in the department and research. Reliability of the instruments was done by piloting and test retest administered Cronbach's Coefficient Alpha of 0.73 was realized. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively by graphs, percentages, frequencies. The packages for social sciences (SPSS 22), whereas qualitative data was analyzed thematically, it was presented in narrative form. The results of this research showed an existence very high percentage 60% of administers agreed family set up influences academic achievement. The mean number of siblings of the respondents was 8.49 with a standard deviation of 1.37 siblings. A cumulative percentage of 91.0% of the respondents had up to 4 siblings. This implies most families have at most 6 members. The study concluded that the strong parental involvement is essential for educational progress and success. Consent of the respondets was sought. Based on the findings of the study the study recommended that: the society should strengthen family unit to reduce conflicts that pose challenges to pupil’s academic efforts. Parents should closely follow up children’s schools routines and coordinate with teachers, healthy dialogue, motivate and advice children on studies.

The purpose of this study was to establish the leadership skills employed by principal on student academic performance in public teachers training colleges in Lake Region, Kenya. This research therefore, targeted all 4 Principals, 4 Board of Management chair persons and 52 college HODs and 180 student leaders‟ total of 240 participants. The sampling technique applied here was convenient sampling for principals, BOM-chairmen and HODs for they were few hence all were considered 100 percent. Hence purposive sampling to select principals, BOM chairpersons and HODs. While 30 % was used to select student leaders whose population was 180. Stratified sampling technique was used to distribute the student leaders equitably to the four colleges (15-each) that also ensured gender equality and random sampling was finally used to select the participating sample. Questionnaires and interviews schedules were used in collecting data. The researcher ensured that these instruments were tested for reliability by using test re- test methods and validity by using suggestions from supervisors before setting out to collect data. Split-Half technique was employed for the test of reliability, the Pilot questionnaires were divided into two equivalent halves and their correlation co-efficient for the two halves computed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, describing the internal consistency of the test then if it showed that the instrument is reliable, correlation coefficient minimum of 0.65 was accepted as reliable. The researcher adhered to regulations and ethical considerations. The findings revealed that administrative council met (50%) both monthly and quarterly; he had facilitated strategic planning by monitoring and ensuring a high budget adherence as indicated by (75%) he as well ensured departments meet regularly by (75%). The study concluded that the Principals had time management skills. The study recommends that all Principals must be well trained on time management periodically because time is a key management skill. The researcher adhered to research ethics including plagiarism and getting the consent of respondents among others.