ISC Daily News Summary

Two comment pieces relating to the independent sector in today's TES. Master of Wellington College, Dr Anthony Seldon, discusses the benefits of compulsory exercise for pupils, and former Head of The Perse School, Dr Nigel Richardson, discusses the effect of the National Curriculum on independent schools.

Would it be such a sweat to bring back PT? (TES not online)
Independent schools feel all partied out (TES not online)

Andrew Mackay from Brigidine School and Kieron Norris and Dave Lewis from Dulwich College Preparatory School are featured in this week's TES magazine.

My best and worst school trip (TES magazine not online)
Picture perfect (TES magazine not online)

Letter in the TES from Chief Executive of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), Barbara Harrison, in response to last week's public benefit article. Mrs Harrison writes: 'Unprecedented numbers of independent schools are already working with their state counterparts, while the academies programme and Specialist Schools and Academies Trust status should allow state schools more independence and autonomy.'

Academies breaking down barriers (TES letters not online)

An annual survey of teacher training courses by the University of Buckingham's Centre for Education and Employment, published today, reveals that the drop-out rate for would-be teachers is rising - with modern language and maths courses among those with the worst record. However, the survey also indicates that trainee teachers in England are better qualified than they were a decade ago.

Alarm at rising drop-out rate for student teachers (Independent)
Trainee teachers being driven from the classroom (Daily Telegraph)
Few new teachers go for economics (Financial Times)
The second class maths teachers of the future (Daily Mail)
Student teachers' higher degrees (BBC News Online)

The Daily Telegraph reports that every primary school pupil in England could receive free school meals if Labour wins the next election. The £1billion pledge will be included in the party's manifesto.

Free meals for primary pupils in £1billion election pledge (Daily Telegraph)

Analysis of the Sats marking crisis in this week's edition of the Economist.

School tests: F for fail (Economist)

Feature in the Independent on Berea University in rural Kentucky, which educates poor students for free as a result of its $1billion endowment. 

Fee-free college for poorest US students puts Ivy League to shame (Independent)

The Times reports on a windswept state school, which has taken advantage of its position on an exposed Cornish headland to reduce its electricity bills by up to 90% through the installation of a wind turbine.

Stiff sea breeze blows away school's electricity bill (Times)

Middle-class mothers are apparently to blame for swarms of disruptive, over-indulged children who roam around during the summer holidays, according to this Daily Telegraph feature.

Britain's new brat pack (Daily Telegraph)

The parents of a nine-year-old New Zealand girl named Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii have been ordered to change her name because it risks making her the target of abuse and ridicule.

Judge orders name change for girl called Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii (Guardian)
Parents must rename girl called Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii (Independent)
'Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii' not a girl's name, New Zealand court rules (Daily Telegraph)