ISC Daily News Summary

BBC News Online, Financial Times, Times, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Scotsman, Independent, Evening Standard
Widespread press coverage of ISC's Annual Census which is published today. David Lyscom, ISC's Chief Executive; Jill Berry, GSA's President; Andrew Grant, HMC's Chairman; Diana Watkins, IAPS' Chairman and Nick Dorey, SHMIS' Chairman, are quoted in the reports. Reference is also made to Geoff Lucas, Secretary of HMC, in the Financial Times article which mentions a recent HMC survey of pupil numbers. Earlier today, David Lyscom was interviewed live on LBC radio, and he will also be speaking on BBC Three Counties Radio just after 1pm (BBC - Beds Herts and Bucks).
ISC Annual Census 2009
ISC Annual Census 2009 press release
Private schools weather recession (BBC News Online)
Number of private school pupils falls (Financial Times)
Private school numbers stall as recession grips (Times)
Private schools feel the pinch as slump halts rise in pupils (Guardian)
Recession sparks drop in private school pupils (Daily Telegraph)
Recession sees fewer private school pupils (Scotsman)
School fees rise in face of recession (Evening Standard)
Pupil numbers fall at private schools (Independent not online)

Most schools will have contingency plans from previous anticipated epidemics (Avian flu, SARS). Those that do not may wish to consider drawing up such plans. In any case, in the light of the ongoing swine flu alert, schools are reminded that helpful materials on dealing with pandemics can be found via the DCSF and Teachernet websites. These include a range of guidance documents produced in consultation with Government departments and external bodies as part of prudent preparation and planning for a possible pandemic. There is general planning guidance for schools (July 2006), a model plan for schools (December 2006), infection control guidance for day and residential settings and Frequently Asked Questions to make information on some key issues more easily accessible. Follow the link here for access to this information: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/emergencies/planning/flupandemic/

ISC has been in touch with DCSF and agreed to act as central coordinator for messages from DCSF to ISC schools. We are also prepared to represent the sector if any emergency coordinating groups are set up by government. In the unlikely event that any school is aware of pupils or staff with suspected swine flu, we should be grateful if you could send us this information as soon as you can after alerting local health authorities: please email our press team.

Guardian
More than a quarter of state school pupils do not take English literature GCSE, and children in the poorest parts of the country are least likely to be tested on their understanding of the classics at 16, new figures reveal. The proportion opting to do an English literature GCSE is declining, with 72% of state school pupils doing the literature GCSE last year compared with 77% five years ago, according to figures released in parliament to the Conservatives.
Number taking GCSE in English literature falls (Guardian)

Guardian, Daily Telegraph
Only one in three of this year's university graduates expect to get a job for which they are qualified after three years of study, according to a large survey of the class of 2009. Confidence in the job market has hit an all-time low, with more than half of university leavers describing their prospects as "very limited". The survey of 16,357 students due to graduate this summer, conducted by High Fliers Research every year since 1993, shows many are planning to travel abroad, or take temporary or voluntary jobs.
Only a third of students expect a good job offer (Guardian)
Graduates job dip as companies cut 'milkround' recruitment fairs (Daily Telegraph)

Guardian
It is considered the most important meal of the day, yet according to a report today the most popular brands of breakfast cereal - including those targeted at children - are laden with sugar. Typical portions of some were found to contain more sugar than a Cadbury chocolate Flake, despite manufacturers' claims to be reducing the level of unhealthy ingredients. A survey by the consumers' organisation Which? of 100 cereals bought from the main supermarkets found a lower proportion of high-sugar cereals overall compared with 2006.
Cereals laden with sugar, Which? report warns (Guardian)

Times
Widespread coverage on the outbreak of swine flu.
Swine flu outbreak in New York raises fears for hundreds of children (Times)

Daily Telegraph
As the children's laureateship marks its 10th birthday, Elizabeth Grice finds much to celebrate in our youngsters' books - but that's not the whole story.
What makes children read books? (Daily Telegraph)