ISC Daily News Summary
18 May 2009
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Independent sector
Private school entrance exam 'should be scrapped'
Daily Telegraph
The 100-year-old common entrance examinations dictating admission to private schools should be scrapped, according to headmasters. They called for exams - taken in up to 11 different subjects - to be replaced by less formal aptitude tests. Anthony Seldon, the master of Wellington College, is quoted.
Private school entrance exam 'should be scrapped' (Daily Telegraph)
Independent sector
Private schools hiring lawyers to claim unpaid fees
Times
The Times reported this weekend that increasing numbers of private schools are engaging lawyers to help them to claim unpaid fees. Solicitors report a surge in the number of legal actions brought in the past year against parents who have defaulted on fees. Such measures are usually a last resort but are now being employed by schools at an earlier stage.
Private schools hiring lawyers to get unpaid fees from parents (Times)
Independent sector
Vicky Tuck considers the benefits of school debating and public speaking
Independent sector
Lessons in choosing the right school
Independent sector
Boom time for tutors
Times
The Times reports on the trend for children at independent schools hiring private tutors. John Claughton, chief master at King Edward's School, Birmingham, is quoted.
Boom time for tutors (Times)
Independent sector
Fifth-placed team still aiming for top spot in Shares4Schools
Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph features an article on the Shares4Schools competition, in which Tent College is currently ranked fifth.
Fifth-placed team still aiming for top spot (Daily Telegraph - not online)
General education
3 in 10 children left to fail, believe parents
Daily Mirror
Education foundation, Edge, has released the results of a poll of parents, revealing that they believe three in ten secondary-school pupils are failing to thrive in the classroom.
3 in 10 kids left to fail (Daily Mirror)
General education
School lessons in self-control 'are as important as numeracy'
Times
Lessons in self-control and empathy are as important as literacy and numeracy in preventing teenagers from dropping out of education, researchers claim. Skills absorbed at home by many children, such as how to defer gratification, are crucial in succeeding in life and should be taught in schools, they say.
School lessons in self-control 'are as important as numeracy' (Times)
General education
Axe traditional school subjects and standards will fall, warns top head
Sunday Telegraph
A prominent head teacher from an academy in London has attacked moves to replace traditional subject lessons with "themed teaching" and warned that it could create an "educational apartheid". He claimed it was essential that young people had an in-depth knowledge of subjects, such as history, geography and physics, and that the National Curriculum, which dictates what pupils are taught, should not be "mucked about with".
Axe traditional school subjects and standards will fall, warns top head (Sunday Telegraph)
General education
'The great school scam'
Crime
Just 2% of claims against teachers turn out to be true
Daily Mail, Times
The scale of false allegations against teachers has been exposed in official figures showing 2 per cent result in cautions or convictions. Heads will be told to stop reporting unfounded allegations to prospective bosses when teachers apply to move schools, under planned new guidance.
Just 2% of claims against teachers turn out to be true (Daily Mail)
Convictions in just 1 per cent of teacher allegations (Times - not online)
Health
Free dental checks for every 5-year-old under Conservative plans
Higher education
'Worst' British universities ranked by students
Higher education
Personal statements mean nothing, says Cambridge admissions head
Times
The University of Cambridge has admitted that it pays no attention to applicants' personal statements when deciding who to interview or offer a place, as they do not believe that it is always the sole work of a pupil. Although the university may use the personal statement as the basis for discussion during an interview, it is not used to judge the student.
Personal statements mean nothing, says Cambridge admissions head (Times)
Scottish education
'Teachers should be warned over pupils' record of violence'
Child welfare
Teacher banned for touching boy's arm
Child welfare
'Hooked on toxic TV'
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail publishes the television diaries of four teenage girls. Vicky Tuck, Principal at The Cheltenham Ladies' College, is quoted.
Hooked on toxic TV (Daily Mail)
Health & safety
Clip-on ties squeezing out traditional knots as schools crack down in health and safety blitz
And finally...
'How to make your child more intelligent'
Times
The ‘nature not nurture' consensus on intelligence is being questioned, and it is believed that there are a number of ways in which parents and schools can raise a child's potential.
How to make your child more intelligent (Times)