Cribsheet of the week 04.01.11

The perfect storm that is poised to unleash itself on universities next year comes closer with the release of Ucas figures this morning revealing the number of students who've applied. A huge swell is expected, as students forget about gap years and rush for the gates before higher fees come in in 2012. Last year, before anyone knew how huge the fee increases would be, one in three applicants missed out on a university place. In December, David Willetts fleshed out the funding cuts that universities will face next year , and warned that the number of places will be cut by 10,000 in 2012. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the UCU lecturers' union, said: "The coalition's Christmas message to the sector is funding cuts, higher fees, fewer university places, a pay freeze and attacks on staff pensions. After weeks of attacks on students and universities through budget cuts and increased tuition fees, the coalition has delivered a real Christmas kick in the teeth." Since then, EducationGuardian has canvassed the views of a range of higher education figures , from vice-chancellors to student leaders, on how they think this year might pan out. Overall, the tone is anxious. Report card Michael Gove has sung the praises of schools in Alberta, Canada, attributing their exemplary outcomes to the fact that headteachers control their own budgets and have autonomy over the running of their schools. Is that really the case? Rhonda Evans went to Alberta to find out . Back here, Gove's first batch of free schools begin to take shape . The BBC reports on a survey carried out by the National Union of Teachers which found that most parents don't want free schools . More education stories from the Guardian Private school heads are offering advice to parents on how to bring up girls , in a new book that covers everything from tantrums to tattoos. Here's their suggestion on piercings: "Try the 'what will this look like when you're 40?' tack. Perhaps suggest she imagines what you'd look like with the same piercings." If all else fails, the headmistresses say, bribe with clothes. Open University students are getting younger . About a quarter of those enrolling in the past year were under 25 - the highest proportion the institution has ever taken on - as young people try to find a way of getting an education without landing themselves in huge debt. Straight men have decided it's cool to kiss . Open displays of affection between men are increasingly common - Bath university researchers find out why. On the right track: Vince Cable is backing a skills academy for the railway industry , where jobs are still plentiful Coming soon… Jessica Shepherd, our education correspondent, will be in Blackpool for the North of England education conference. Keynote speakers tomorrow are Steve Munby, chief executive of the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services, Sir Charles Pollard, former chief constable of Thames Valley Police, and Sir Paul Ennals, chief executive of the National Children's Bureau. On the margins Phil Beadle's invented a tantalising little time-waster. It's called Fantasy Education Secretary . I'll let him explain: "I've got a great new game to pass the dark, cold hours of wintry travel between cold home and colder school: it's called Fantasy Education Secretary. The rules are simple: you imagine yourself looking a little like Noddy on acid, and invent a series of education policies deliberately designed to destroy any chance of the education of children ever being a responsibility of the state again." Play along with Phil and see if you can come up with anything more outlandish than the real education secretary has. Education stories from around the web Students occupying a building at the University of Kent have said their protest at education cuts and rises in tuition fees could end within days , the BBC reports. They say that they plan to be out before a court summons on January 7. The Telegraph reports on plans for the common entrance exam to go online , to make it less intimidating for pupils wishing to apply for private schools. What you said There was a lot of support for the five Kent students occupying a university building , following an article by Helen Pidd, who went to visit them. SandGrown wrote: "These should be the Famous Five: Well done! Stand firm for as long as you are able. The teens who are being denied university as a result of these savage cuts (the loss of EMA will prevent many staying on for the A levels they need to get in) need the actions of people like you." Heavyweightcotton added: "It takes commitment to protest with 15,000 others on Parliament Square. It takes true backbone to do it when they are only five of you." Calling all university administrators… We need you to check we have the right codes for your institution's courses so that we can reflect your position accurately in our University Guide 2012. Please consult our dedicated website - there's a deadline looming for any changes you may wish to make. Competition Children aged between seven and fourteen 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. 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