ISC Daily News Summary

A number of articles today speculate on the potential effect of the credit crunch on the independent education sector. The Times reports that St Catherine's Prep School in Stockport is the latest independent school to close. ISC Chief Executive, David Lyscom, is quoted in the article, and also discussed the issue on BBC Radio London this morning. A report by the Audit Commission into the effect of the credit crunch on local councils has found that one in ten councils are experiencing increased demand for state school places, as parents look for alternatives to independent schools. David Lyscom is also quoted in the Guardian on this topic. Reference is made to Headmistress of the City of London School for Girls, Diana Vernon, in the Daily Mail.

Crunch Time? The impact of the economic downturn on local government finances (Audit Commission)
Parents are unable to afford prep school fees (Times)
Slowdown prompts rise in state school applications (Guardian not online)
Cash-strapped parents desert private schools for the state system (Daily Mail)
Crunch raises state school demand (BBC News Online)
Vanessa Feltz show (BBC Radio London, 10.15am)

The TES reports that Salisbury Cathedral School and Lichfield Cathedral School - both of which were considering becoming academies - have ruled out the idea of joining the state sector. Headmaster of Lichfield, Peter Allwood, and Salisbury's Chair of Governors, the Very Reverend June Osborne, are quoted. A large feature in the TES looks at why Belvedere Academy - a former independent GDST school - did choose to become an academy, with a sidebar piece examining other independent schools which may follow suit, including comments from Secretary of HMC, Geoff Lucas. There is also a feature on Westminster Abbey Choir School in today's TES magazine, in which the school's Headmaster, Jonathan Milton, is quoted.

Choir schools reject academy switch (TES)
Now, young ladies, we've become an academy (TES)
Who else is likely to turn to the state sector? (TES not online)
On a high note (TES magazine)

High Master of St Paul's School, Dr Martin Stephen, discusses the Cambridge Pre-U qualification in a Daily Telegraph comment piece.

Why the Pre-U does not pass my test (Daily Telegraph)
Are GCSEs too dull for bright pupils? (Times)

Reference is made to ISC in the Daily Telegraph's and TES's education reviews of the year.

Education review of the year 2008 (Daily Telegraph)
Review of 2008 - Comings and goings (TES)

Teachers who get drunk on a Saturday night could be barred from the classroom under a code of conduct that the profession's disciplinary body, the General Teaching Council (GTC), is drafting.

Teachers told to behave, even when off duty (Times)
Teachers told: behave or face sack (Daily Telegraph)
Teachers may face sanctions for bad behaviour at weekends (Guardian)
Teachers could be barred over off-duty drinking (Independent)
Teachers to get 'role model' code (BBC News Online)

Appeals against the marking of this year's national curriculum test papers in England have reportedly reached record levels.

Appeals soar after Sats fiasco (BBC News Online)
National test appeals multiply (Financial Times)

A stand-in head teacher is being paid £30,000 for two months work at a state secondary school in Walsall while the school's permanent head is ill.

Temporary teacher in row over £800 per day wage (Daily Telegraph)
A class apart: The stand-in headmaster who is paid £800 a day (Daily Mail)

The TES leads with the news that the entire special educational needs system is under review, with two separate inquiries and a scheme aimed at improving pupil statements of need on the way.

‘Creaking' special needs system faces overhaul (TES)

A Cabinet Office study has found that mothers and fathers are turning into 'relay parents' as they attempt to fit family life around increasing workloads. This means that many parents appear to be spending more time with their children, but less time with each other.

Rise of the 'relay parent' due to pressure of work (Daily Telegraph)
Why 'relay parenting' is a reality (Daily Telegraph)
Making time for the children: one in four parents now put their family before work (Guardian)

Muslim schools excel in faith league (TES)
Muslim schools prove stars of the higher-performing faith family (TES)
Keeping the faith in all church schools (TES)
Academies programme will see religious groups expand their influence over UK schools (TES)
Pupils nod off in stuffy new-builds (TES)
Crunch worries keeping pupils at home (TES)
KS3 league tables to be scrapped (TES)
Half of all 2008 targets missed (TES)
Quality of children's services is on the slide (TES)

'Style icon' Victoria Beckham has revealed that she takes her fashion inspiration from British teachers. In a magazine interview she said: "I'm very British in my style - think schoolteacher. I love pencil skirts and fitted blouses, classic-cut dresses and well-fitted jeans, mixed with classic tailoring."

Posh picks up her fashion tips from 'British teacher' (TES)