Community Info for Oakham School

1. How to motivate the disgruntled. No one likes to manage unhappy employees. They can be tough to motivate and resistant to change. But giving up is not the solution either. Motivating disgruntled individuals requires empathy, communication, and a tailored approach to their concerns. READ MORE

2. Highlights from last week in the city. Energy prices pushed UK inflation to a six-month high of 2.3% in October, up from 1.7% in September and above the Bank of England’s 2% target. The sharp acceleration was higher than most forecasts and will complicate the BoE’s deliberations over when next to cut rates. Higher prices across the transport, household goods, recreation and hotel sectors also contributed to the jump. The figures will pile more pressure on the Government, amid rising concerns about the Budget and stalling growth. The economy grew by just 0.1% in the three months to September, down from 0.5% the previous quarter. Editor

3. Winter fuel cut to put 50,000 into poverty next year. An additional 50,000 people will be living in relative poverty due to the cut to the winter fuel allowance, the government's own estimates have revealed. There are currently 1.9 million pensioners – about 15% – living in relative poverty, according to official estimates. New government modelling published last week suggests there will be about 50,000 more people in relative poverty next year, and a further 50,000 by the end of the decade. The cut to the winter fuel allowance remains unpopular with Labour MPs and supporters. In September party members voted for a motion calling on ministers to reverse it. BBC

4. Why your plan might be holding you back. Do you have a 10-year plan? While many believe this is the ultimate strategy for success, it might actually be holding you back. If you’re feeling dissatisfied in your job despite following the path you thought was right, rigid 10-year plan thinking could be part of the problem. This mindset often prioritises the end goal over the journey and assumes the future is predictable. It can also cause us to overlook unexpected opportunities simply because they don’t fit neatly into the plan. Such an approach leaves little room for personal growth, change, or adaptability. Instead, when making career decisions, focus on choices that align with your preferred direction rather than a fixed endpoint. Embrace the flexibility to adjust your path as you grow, and new possibilities arise. Editor

5. Exercise may lower risk of dementia. Engaging in physical activity boosts brain health, potentially reducing dementia risk and delaying its onset by 18 months. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness is linked to better cognitive function and lower dementia risk, as per a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine involving 62,000 individuals. Exercise can decrease dementia risk by up to 35% in those genetically predisposed. Although findings are observational, increasing activity may help prevent dementia. How physically active are you in your daily life? Please share your thoughts in our latest poll. VOTE HERE

6. Single women are not so sad. Single women are often stereotyped as sad and desperate for love, but new research shows that single men are more likely to be lovelorn. In a study analyzing 6,000 single people from various countries, women expressed more satisfaction with their lives than men. Women were also less inclined to seek romantic partnerships, possibly because they find more emotional support in platonic relationships or view traditional relationships as unfair due to the unequal distribution of household responsibilities. The Times

7. How universities are funded. The Office for Students predicts that 72% of England's universities may face budget deficits next year. UK higher education providers had a total income of £50 billion in 2022/23, with 52% from tuition fees (43% from international students), 14% from research grants, and 12% from direct government funding. Other income sources include donations and endowments. Funding models vary across the UK due to devolution: in Scotland, the government pays home students' tuition fees; Welsh undergraduates get a minimum maintenance grant; and Northern Ireland caps fees at £4,750. The Independent

8. Word of the year. “Manifest” – to use the power of visualisation to will something into existence – has been chosen by Cambridge Dictionary as its word of 2024. Singer Dua Lipa and gymnast Simone Biles are among those who have said they “manifested” their successes. The Sun

9. Christmas is officially on its way. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree – a 56-year-old, 20-metre Norwegian spruce – has been felled in Norway before starting its journey to London. The Nordic nation has sent a tree every year since 1947 in thanks for Britain’s support during World War Two. BBC

10. The bottom line. The average number of years a person born in the UK can expect to live is 80.9. New data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that the UK had the worst life expectancy in western Europe, almost a year lower than the 81.5-year average across the 27 European Union countries. Switzerland was at the top of the table with an average of 84.2 years. OECD