ISC Daily News Summary

TES
Roger Fry, chairman of COBIS, has a letter published in this week’s TES on the issue of the Government’s proposed inspection scheme.
So not British (TES)

TES
Letters to the TES on the issue of public benefit, including a letter from Andrew Hind, Chief Executive of the Charity Commission.
Falling foul of public benefit test (TES)

Daily Mail
Less than half of secondary school classes are set by ability despite Labour pledging to increase the practice, the Mail reports. Pupils were taught in sets in only 45 per cent of their lessons, the latest Ofsted figures show. The 2007/08 records, obtained by the Conservatives in a Commons written answer, show things have hardly changed since 2002/03 when 44 per cent of lessons were taught in sets.
Labour is accused of breaking promise as only 45% of lessons are set by ability (Daily Mail)

Daily Mail
Ministers were last night accused of 'betraying' the poorest students after announcing that financial aid will no longer meet the cost of tuition fees. Students from low-income homes will be forced to meet a £55-a-year shortfall after ministers 'reneged' on a promise to ensure fees would be covered by grants and bursaries.
Low-income students 'betrayed' as university grants fall short of tuition fees (Daily Mail)

Guardian
Universities are working on emergency plans to postpone freshers' week activities and shut down parts of their campuses if the swine flu pandemic peaks when students return in September. Contingency plans to slow the spread of the virus, or to cope if the illness cripples staffing levels, include podcasting lectures and quarantining infected students in their halls of residence.
Universities may cancel freshers' week over swine flu (Guardian)

The TES reports that among this year’s edition of ‘Debrett’s People of Today’, some of the stars are head teachers and union leaders, including a number of ISC heads. The paper also takes a look at Alan Milburn’s social mobility report and there is an interview with schools minister Vernon Coaker.

Inside this week’s TES magazine there is an interview with Patrick Cozier, head of Highgate Wood School, north London; the first in a summer series for teachers about to start induction; how to get the best from e-assessment technology; and how classroom layout can have a positive effect on behaviour.  
TES

Times, Guardian
Letters on the subject of social mobility:
Social mobility (Times)
Letters: Inequality and social mobility (Guardian)

Gin and tonic can calm the nerves after a stressful day at the office – thanks to the lemon and not just the alcohol. The drink's citrus smell can apparently reduce stress because it contains a chemical compound also found in lavender, tea and mangos. This is the first evidence aromas actively help to calm you down for physical rather than just psychological reasons, scientists say.
The real tonic of having G&T (Metro)