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Daily News Summary
26 March 2019

Concern raised over reformed GCSE pass thresholds
Is allowing pupils to write their own revision questions effective?
Charity calls for “socially selective” faith schools to admit more disadvantaged pupils
'Universities that hand out too many top degrees will be challenged'
'Academic, technological and vocational courses need equal funding'
Unions reveal £5.4bn shortfall in school funding
Teachers strongly support school-run car ban on nearby roads, survey finds

Concern raised over reformed GCSE pass thresholds

 

The chair of an Association of School and College Leaders commission into pupils who do not reach grade 4 in GCSE English and maths has voiced concern about the reformed system's “confusing vocabulary”. Roy Blatchford believes that having "standard" and "good" passes can make those who achieve grades 3, 2 and 1 view themselves as failures. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

Is allowing pupils to write their own revision questions effective?

 

Marc Smith, a chartered psychologist and teacher, says asking students to create their own revision questions is not the most successful strategy to help them prepare for GCSE exams. Tes.

 
Tes

Charity calls for “socially selective” faith schools to admit more disadvantaged pupils

 

A Sutton Trust report has suggested admissions at “socially selective” faith schools should better reflect their local population. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

The Times reports that the Sutton Trust has urged Scotland’s top state schools to consider using a ballot system to give disadvantaged pupils more equal access. By Kieran Andrews.

 
The Independent

'Universities that hand out too many top degrees will be challenged'

 

The education secretary, Damian Hinds MP, has indicated the Office for Students will challenge universities that hand out too many first and 2:1 degrees once it has new statutory powers. By Rob Merrick, The Independent.

 
The Independent

'Academic, technological and vocational courses need equal funding'

 

Michael Rosen - a novelist, poet, author, and former Children's Laureate - has written an open letter to the education secretary about the importance of equal funding for academic, technological and vocational courses. The Guardian.

 
The Guardian

Unions reveal £5.4bn shortfall in school funding

 

An analysis of official figures by the School Cuts coalition of unions has found there has been a £5.4bn shortfall in school funding in England over the past three years. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

 
The Guardian

Teachers strongly support school-run car ban on nearby roads, survey finds

 

A survey by Sustrans, a walking and cycling charity, has found nearly two thirds of teachers would back car-free roads outside school gates at pick-up and drop-off times. By Emma Snaith, The Independent.

 
The Independent

 

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