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Daily News Summary
20 May 2019

Independent school introduces Aristotle-inspired course to improve pupil wellbeing
Phones banned on boarding school's relationship-building retreat
New record set for state pupil admissions to Oxbridge
Heads warn government against IB funding withdrawal
Universities vow to protect the value of degree qualifications
Government to take action against schools that fail to promote vocational qualifications
Decline of food education in schools criticised by top chef
Campaign urges teachers to become governors at other schools

Independent school introduces Aristotle-inspired course to improve pupil wellbeing

 

Colfe's School, in London, has introduced a course in “Eudaimonia”, which is usually translated as human flourishing or happiness, to help boost pupil wellbeing. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. The article quotes the school's head of philosophy, Emerald Henderson, and references Brighton College's meditation sessions for "unsettled and fidgety children".

 
The Telegraph

Phones banned on boarding school's relationship-building retreat

 

Roedean School, in Brighton, is set to run a week-long retreat for sixth-formers, during which they will be required to ditch their phones and focus on forging real friendships. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

 
The Sunday Times

New record set for state pupil admissions to Oxbridge

 

The Sunday Times reports Oxford and Cambridge universities are planning to unveil further measures to widen access for students from poorer backgrounds. By Sian Griffiths.

James Delingpole writes a commentary for The Spectator in the wake of press coverage about Oxbridge's use of contextual admissions.

 
The Sunday Times

Heads warn government against IB funding withdrawal

 

Headteachers have claimed social mobility will be damaged if the Government pushes ahead with proposals to end funding for post-16 International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. By Pippa Allen-Kinross, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

Universities vow to protect the value of degree qualifications

 

Universities UK pledges to combat grade inflation in response to growing concern about the number of first-class degrees awarded to students. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

 
The Times

Government to take action against schools that fail to promote vocational qualifications

 

The education secretary, Damian Hinds, has said schools must allow employers and colleges to speak to their students about apprenticeships and vocational courses - and not solely focus on traditional academic options. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

 
The Independent

Decline of food education in schools criticised by top chef

 

Tom Aikens, a Michelin star-winning head chef, says there is a shortage of good trainee chefs in Britain due to schools no longer teaching cooking. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

The Telegraph reports Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson, has called for agriculture to be taught at GCSE level so people can make informed choices around food. By Oscar Quine.

 
The Times

Campaign urges teachers to become governors at other schools

 

The National Governance Association (NGA) is calling on teachers and school leaders to further their professional development by becoming governors at other schools. By Mark Smulian, Tes. The NGA campaign is supported by the National Association of Head Teachers, Teach First, the Ambition Institute, Education and Employers and the Independent Schools Council.

 
Tes

 

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