ISC Daily News Summary

All national newspapers
Widespread coverage of the news that GCSE science exams are to be made harder, after watchdogs found damning evidence of dumbing down. Exam boards were today ordered to tear up new-look GCSE science courses introduced less than three years ago and rewrite them with tougher questions that properly challenge bright pupils. In a devastating report, exam watchdog Ofqual gave a stark warning that standards in the revamped GCSEs have been compromised. HMC Secretary, Geoff Lucas, Martin Stephen, high master at St Pauls, and Patricia Kelleher, headmistress at Perse Girls, are all quoted on the issue.
Exam boards ordered to make 'dumbed-down' GCSE science tougher (Daily Mail)
Make GCSE science harder (Times)
'Making science more relevant' (Times)
GCSE science dumbed down says exam watchdog (Independent)
Exam watchdog criticises GCSE standards (Daily Telegraph)
Science GCSE criticised by exams regulator (Guardian)
Science GCSE standards 'lowered' (BBC News Online) 
Watchdog hits at GCSE science (Financial Times)
Exams watchdog says GCSE science tests are too easy (Mirror)

Times
The Times reports on Wellington College announcing it would expand into China - building three schools. The first, in Beijing, should be open by 2011. It has already announced plans for schools in Malaysia, Bahrain and India in the next couple of years. Richard Cairns, head at Brighton College, and Dr Anthony Seldon, head at Wellington College, are quoted.
British schools see opportunity in foreign market (Times)

Private schools still in dark on public benefit
The TES reports that ‘crucial guidance on how independent schools should meet public benefit tests may not be released by the Charity Commission until this summer, or even later. Jonathan Cook, Secretary of ISBA, is quoted. Reference is made to the five schools in the pilot scheme, which have all been visited by the Charity Commission. Simon Northcott, head at St Anselm's, David Williams, head of Highfield Priory, and Greg Meakin, head of Moyles Court School in Hampshire, (three of the five schools), are quoted.
Private schools still in dark on public benefit (TES)

 

TES
Merchant Taylors' Senior Girls School in Liverpool is hosting a conference for local sixth form girls on alternative career paths, next Friday, the TES reports. Louise Robinson, head of the school, is quoted.
Opening doors on the world for girls (TES not online)

Daily Telegraph
Private schools are resorting to "buy one, get one free" deals to drum up business in the recession, a study suggests. Almost one in 10 have introduced supermarket-style discounts to appeal to parents, it is revealed. Others are increasing the number of subsidised places amid fears the economic downturn will force families away from fee-paying schools. Researchers surveyed the heads of 110 leading independent schools. Research by Tom Brown, an independent education website, also reported a significant rise in the number of parents seeking help with fees. ISC Chief Executive, David Lyscom, and Jenny Dwyer, headmistress at Sherborne Girls School in Dorset, are quoted.
Independent schools offering supermarket style discounts (Daily Telegraph)

TES
The TES reports on the forthcoming closure of the Alcuin School in Leeds, which is set to close its doors at the end of the summer term in July, and the merger of Laverock and Hazelwood schools in Surrey. Brenda Green, the head of Laverock, is quoted.
More preps fall victim to tough economic times (TES not online)

Daily Mail
Comment by Michael Gove on Twitter and the primary curriculum.
MICHAEL GOVE: All Balls and Twitter - How the so-called 'Schools' secretary is wrecking our children's education for his political career (Daily Mail)

TES
Today's TES leads with the news that a government scheme, ‘Gaining Ground' that sends out a tough message about easing attainment in ‘coasting' schools is being sidelined by local authorities angry about the derogatory label. Inside the paper, there is coverage of the news that union chiefs are divided on the move to boycott SATs, a news item on the Sir Singleton review and an in-depth look at Sir Jim Rose's primary review (leaked draft). In other news, a leading academic argues that the school timetable should be scrapped to ‘prepare children for a more meaningful life'.
The TES magazine this week includes articles on the benefits and pitfalls of school campaigns, an interview with David Bellamy and a look at new models of leadership for headteachers.
TES

Daily Mail
A quarter of babies from middle-class families are placed in formal childcare, despite fears over the impact on their development. Wealthier parents are twice as likely as those from lower-income homes to use some childcare, according to a Government study. Fewer than half of middle-class children aged under one are cared for exclusively by their parents, with the rest spending time at the nursery, in a creche or with a childminder, or in 'informal' childcare, mainly with grandparents.
1 in 4 middle-class babies in childcare despite warnings it harms children's development (Daily Mail)

Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Guardian
Children are more likely to grow into well-adjusted adults if their parents are firm disciplinarians, academics claimed yesterday. Traditional 'authoritative' parenting, combining high expectations of behaviour with warmth and sensitivity, leads to more 'competent' children. It is particularly important for girls, who can suffer from a lack of confidence and may turn to drugs if care is merely adequate, said researchers from London's Institute of Education.
Why children do best with strict parents (Daily Mail)
Schools 'to be graded on classroom discipline' (Daily Telegraph)
Schools to be graded on discipline (Guardian not online)

Daily Telegraph
A schoolboy escaped serious injury when his rucksack bore the brunt of a car accident after he was run over on the way home from lessons. Jonno Lambert, 14, had a miracle escape when his bag full of schoolbooks and his lunchbox absorbed the people carrier's impact - crushing its contents in the process.
Schoolboy saved from car by rucksack (Daily Telegraph)