ISC Daily News Summary

Independent, Times, Daily Mail

A number of newspapers report on the number of independent schools which are boycotting this year's exam results league tables. High Master of St Paul's School, Dr Martin Stephen, Deputy Head (academic) of Sevenoaks School, Graham Lacey, and Headmaster of Brighton College, Richard Cairns, are quoted.

Leading private schools boycott 'meaningless' league tables (Independent)
Heads withhold results in protest at the 'factory farming' of pupils (Times)
Private schools boycott exam league tables -  the 'cancer on the face of education' (Daily Mail)

Message to ISC schools: Please note that this year you have the option to submit your exam results to ISC, but have your individual exam results omitted from the spreadsheet which is made publicly available on the website and to the media. This allows you to support the sector, by ensuring the aggregate figures are truly representative, whilst allowing you the freedom to choose whether or not your school's name and individual results are listed.

Times

'It won't work to teach feminism as a discrete subject on the curriculum. Feminism has to be lived and breathed every day in the culture of the school. Self-worth, good sense and knowing that there is more to life than emulating Paris Hilton come naturally in girls' schools. If we are to ensure that all girls have "the language and ethics that allow them to be themselves", isn't it time to reconsider the advantages of single-sex schools?' Vicky Tuck, President, Girls' Schools Association. The Times Online continues its clearing advice clinic, with advice from Vicky Tuck.

The F-word (Times letters)
Clearing 2008: expert panel answer your questions - part four (Times Online)

Widespread coverage of today's GCSE results, with Headmaster of Eton College, Anthony Little, quoted on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. The Times focuses on the angle that struggling schools could be put under new management unless they demonstrate a large improvement in GCSE performance. A study by the think tank Civitas suggests that many schools - including many of the government's flagship academies - are switching from academic GCSE subjects to boost their rankings in league tables. Richard Cairns is quoted in the Daily Mail. As this Daily News Summary was being compiled, newspapers were beginning to report online that, according to the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), 65.7% of GCSEs taken have been awarded A* to C grades, a rise of 2.4 percentage points from 63.3% last year.

Schools 'inflating their exam results' (Daily Telegraph)
In all the A* euphoria, failing schools pin hopes on five Cs (Times)
Talent isn't rationed. Nor should success be (Times)
GCSE results reveal 'two-tier education' (Independent)
The obsession with results harms children's education (Independent)
Primary pupils without basic skills highlight Labour's biggest failure, says schools minister (Guardian)
Brightest 'not stretched' as top-grade GCSEs double (Daily Mail)
Big jump in top GCSE exam grades (BBC News Online)

Thanks to all schools who have already sent their GCSE success stories to the ISC Press Office. Please continue to send your ISC school GCSE press releases to press@isc.co.uk.

The latest figures from Ofsted show that there has been a fall in the number of registered childminders in England. The statistics show there were 8,400 fewer registered childminders in June this year than at a peak in June 2004. Many childminders blame an increasing amount of regulation linked to Ofsted, and the new statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines on caring for children coming into force next month.

Child care crisis as minders quit jobs (Daily Telegraph)
Decline in number of childminders (BBC News Online)

The Guardian reports that the number of students due to start university in the autumn has hit a new high, with more than 375,000 having won a degree place. The Independent reports that some of Britain's most prestigious universities have been forced to slash A-level requirements for science degrees by up to four grades as they struggle to fill unpopular courses.

University entrants hit record high (Guardian)
Grades slashed to fill science courses (Independent)

Comment piece in today's Times2 on university entrance and applicants from state and independent schools.

University entrance: why not give real talent a chance against privilege? (Times2)

Flagship government policies to reduce class sizes in Scottish schools have been thrown into confusion after a landmark legal case in which a mother won a placing request appeal to send her daughter to the primary school of her choice. This was despite the fact the local council had previously blocked the move, claiming the class group was already full.

Court case throws key policy on class sizes into chaos (Herald)
Crisis over class sizes (Herald)
Why class sizes are new West Lothian Question (Herald)

The mastermind behind Team GB's Olympic gold rush in track cycling, Dave Brailsford, has called for the government to make cycling obligatory in the national curriculum and invest in facilities for families and grass-roots racers.

‘Put cycling on school curriculum' (Guardian)

Channel 4 is to approach Mensa and top universities to find a replacement for Carol Vorderman on Countdown. The broadcaster has decided to choose an unknown 'maths whizz' to help front the daytime quiz show rather than a celebrity.

Channel 4 counts on Mensa to help find the new Carol (Daily Mail)
C4 hunts TV rookie to be a new Carol (Daily Mirror)