ISC Daily News Summary

An analysis of figures by the Conservative Party has revealed that almost 15,000 teachers are off sick every day as absence rates in schools increase. Last year, 2.9million working days were lost in England through sickness compared to 2.5million in 1999.

15,000 teachers off sick every day, figures show (Daily Telegraph)
Up to 15,000 teachers a day phone in sick (Independent)
Absent teachers (Times not online)
15,000 teachers go sick EVERY day (and it's blamed on stress and ministerial meddling) (Daily Mail)
Thousands of teachers are off sick (Daily Express)
15,000 teachers go sick each day (Sun)
15,000 teachers off ill each day (Daily Mirror)

The Daily Telegraph reports on in a study by Channel 4's Dispatches and the NASUWT teachers' union, which suggests that behaviour among schoolchildren is deteriorating as 'over-indulgent' parents create a culture of disrespect. The Telegraph also reports today that more than 1,000 children are suspended from school every day for offences that could merit permanent expulsion, according to a Conservative Party analysis of official data.

'Indulgent' parents fuelling bad behaviour in classroom (Daily Telegraph)
Schools 'suspend violent pupils to avoid expulsions' (Daily Telegraph)
Bringing calm to the classroom (Times2)
Kids of four run riot in school (Daily Mirror)

A PE teacher at a state school in London has been sacked from his secondary school for wearing trainers and a tracksuit in lessons. Adrian Swain refused to follow a 'bizarre' dress code imposed by an acting head teacher and claims he has been victimised for being a National Union of Teachers (NUT) representative.

PE teacher sacked for wearing trainers (Daily Telegraph)
Teachers threaten to strike after colleague is sacked over clothing (Guardian)
Teacher who wore trainers fired (BBC News Online)

Supporters of the 11-plus in Northern Ireland vowed yesterday to turn the future of academic selection into a major political issue.

Unionists vow to block axing of 11-plus (Guardian)

Pupils will be taught how to listen to each other's problems and help classmates who struggle to form friendships or cope with bullying, under government plans announced today.

National peer mentoring programme launched (DCSF)
Pupil mentors to help tackle school bullies (Guardian)

A Times2 feature looks at how the class of 1978 have fared 30 years after leaving school.

Talking about my generation (Times2)