ISC Daily News Summary

President of the Girls' Schools Association (GSA), Vicky Tuck, discusses modern language teaching and former editor of the New Statesman, Peter Wilby, presents his view on the charitable status debate, in TES comment pieces. Chairman of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Michael Spinney, has a letter printed on the subject of an independent schools' curriculum review. The TES magazine features teaching tips from Anna Jordan at Derby High School, Colin Foster at King Henry VIII School and Chris Bond at Warwick School.

Marooned by our Crusoe mentality (TES not online)
What has fee charging got to do with charity? (TES not online)
New curriculum (TES letters not online)
Toons help you learn more easily (TES magazine not online)
In the area (TES magazine not online)
Full stop ahoy (TES magazine not online)

The TES includes an article on the Schools Competition Act Settlement Trust, which was set up following a 2005 Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation into independent school fees. ISC Chief Executive, Jonathan Shephard, is referred to. His views expressed in the article are taken from a 2005 ISC press release.

Fee-fixing victims still wait for cash (TES not online)
OFT investigation a 'scandalous waste of public money' (ISC press release)

Alan Bennett, author of award-winning play 'The History Boys', yesterday criticised independent schools on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, calling for them to be abolished. The Daily Mail's Ephraim Hardcastle column points out that perhaps Mr Bennett would feel differently if he had children. Jonathan Shephard is quoted on BBC News Online in response to Mr Bennett's view, stating that 'it is a human right for parents to educate their children free of the control of the state and we are defending that right.' A letter published in today's Independent also points out that the European declaration of human rights 'enshrines the right of parents to have children educated in accordance with their religious and philosophical views.'

Bennett backs private school ban (BBC News Online)
Bennett: public schools should be abolished (Independent)
Private schools are not the problem (Independent letters)
Bennett attacks public schools (Daily Telegraph not online)
Ephraim Hardcastle column (Daily Mail not online)
Role of private schools (Scotsman letters not online)

A number of TV critics praise last night's Cutting Edge documentary about Eton College pupil Alex Stobbs.

It's a privilege to meet Alex (Times2)
This film - and his music - are glorious (G2)
Bravo for Alex, but it wasn't quite a classic (Independent)

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has announced it will ballot its members on whether to hold a one-day strike in April in protest at the government's pay plans.

Teachers to vote on first national strike in 21 years (Guardian)
Teachers to ballot on strike over pay (Daily Telegraph)
Teachers' pay ballot (Times not online)
Teachers threaten to strike over pay (Daily Mail)
Teachers to ballot on pay strike (BBC News Online)

The Teach First teacher training scheme that places high-flying graduates in tough secondary schools has been praised by Ofsted. This week's THE reports that Buckingham University - where Ofsted's former Chief Inspector, Chris Woodhead, now works - has only received a grade 3 in its latest inspection.

Teacher training scheme praised (BBC News Online)
High-calibre graduates raise standards at tough schools in inner cities (Times)
Cambridge recruit who lifted behaviour into a new class (Times)
Ofsted gives low mark to ex-chief (THE)

The Times and BBC News Online report on government plans to boost interest in maths and science at schools, with ministers planning to invest £140million in the subjects over the next three years.

More excitement planned for double science (Times)
Stinks and bangs (Times)
Cash boost for maths and science (BBC News Online)

A Facebook-style social networking site for children as young as six is to be launched by the BBC in April.

BBC website for six-year-olds (Daily Telegraph)
Anger as BBC sets up a rival to Facebook... for six-year-olds (Daily Mail)

Scotsman, Herald

Articles on how chess lessons can improve children's behaviour and a poor inspection report for a school on the remote Scottish island of Barra.

Chess lessons 'improve children's behaviour' (Scotsman)
Barra school faces scathing criticism (Herald)

As part of its US election coverage, the Times reports on 'educational inequalities' in South Carolina.

Schools are still crumbling in the 'corridor of shame' haunted by the old South (Times)

Poorer students failed by market-led bursary scheme (Guardian letters)

The Daily Mail reports on a castle-style home that was secretly built without planning permission in Surrey. The home-owners disguised the building behind bales of hay and blue tarpaulin for four years. The home may now have to be demolished following complaints from neighbours.

Pull up the strawbridge! (Daily Mail)
Castle hidden behind bales of straw (Daily Telegraph)