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Daily News Summary
7 December 2018

Eight schools dominate Oxbridge places, research shows
'Striving for exam results we can trust'
'Mutually beneficial collaboration and partnership between schools can hold society together'
House of Lords: Special educational needs and funding
Exam reforms may affect pupils' eligibility for special consideration
Drop in teaching assistant numbers is a "serious problem"
One third of children exercise for less than 30 minutes a day

Eight schools dominate Oxbridge places, research shows

 

The Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity, has criticised Oxford and Cambridge University for being socially exclusive after recruiting more students from eight schools than three-quarters of all schools and colleges together. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

The Telegraph reports on comments made by Education Secretary, Damian Hinds MP, who said Oxbridge and Cambridge should admit pupils who have not studied A-levels.

 
BBC

'Striving for exam results we can trust'

 

Julian Thomas, master of Wellington College, writes for The Times on the subject of exam results review requests.

 
The Times

'Mutually beneficial collaboration and partnership between schools can hold society together'

 

Mike Buchanan, executive director of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, writes about the work independent schools are doing to extend educational opportunities to pupils from all backgrounds. Tes.

 
Tes

House of Lords: Special educational needs and funding

 

In a House of Lords debate, Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association, asked how the cost of appeals tribunals can be reduced and questioned: "What can be done to stop local authorities telling parents—quite wrongly, as some do—that a local independent school cannot be named in an education, health and care plan?"

 
Hansard

Exam reforms may affect pupils' eligibility for special consideration

 

A report from Ofqual has found recent changes to exams may affect pupils from being eligible to receive special consideration. By Pippa Allen-Kinross, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

Drop in teaching assistant numbers is a "serious problem"

 

Rob Webster, associate professor at the Centre for Inclusive Education, UCL Institute of Education, has said the fall in the number of teaching assistants is a "serious problem" for schools. By Dave Speck, Tes.

 
Tes

One third of children exercise for less than 30 minutes a day

 

A report by Sport England has found one in three children are undertaking less than 30 minutes exercise per day. By Sarah Knapton, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

 

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