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Daily News Summary
7 May 2019

"Flexi-boarding" on the rise
Learning foreign languages is causing children 'extreme anxiety'
Schools to stay accountable for excluded pupils
Letters: The impact of independent schools
Eight phrases to avoid during exam season
Fine parents for swearing, says former chief inspector of schools
Teach pupils about ethnic minorities' contribution to history, says education secretary
Effects of social media on teens are limited, study finds

"Flexi-boarding" on the rise

 

Using figures from the ISC's annual Census, The Telegraph reports on a rise in the number of children choosing "flexi-boarding" options at school, with many opting to stay overnight following extra-curricular activities. By Camilla Turner. The article quotes Nick Wergan, head at Steyning Grammar School and chair of the Boarding Schools Association.

 
The Telegraph

Learning foreign languages is causing children 'extreme anxiety'

 

During the National Association of Head Teachers’ (NAHT) annual conference, delegates were told many children are being signed off class due to the stress caused when learning languages. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Other news from the NAHT conference includes a report that today's pupils will inherit 'a country in chaos', following 'the turmoil left by Brexit'. By John Roberts, Tes.

 
The Telegraph

Schools to stay accountable for excluded pupils

 

A government-backed review has said schools in England will stay accountable for excluded pupils, which could mean league tables will have to include the exam results of pupils who have since left the school. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News. In The Times, Rosemary Bennett has written an analysis on the review.

The Times includes a letter from Neil Roskilly, chief executive officer of the Independent Schools Association, discussing the 'complexity of school exclusions'. Letter at the top of the page.

 
BBC

Letters: The impact of independent schools

 

Letters in The Guardian offer a balanced view on the social and economic impact of independent schools.

 
The Guardian

Eight phrases to avoid during exam season

 

Adam Riches, a specialist leader of education and lead teacher in English, highlights eight phrases that teachers should avoid using during pupils' GCSE and A-level exam preparation. Tes.

 
Tes

Fine parents for swearing, says former chief inspector of schools

 

Sir Michael Wilshaw, the former chief inspector of schools, has said headteachers are being driven away from the UK to teach in independent schools abroad, partly due to the abuse suffered from parents. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

Education union leaders have written to The Times discussing the abusive behaviour of a minority of parents.

 
The Sunday Times

Teach pupils about ethnic minorities' contribution to history, says education secretary

 

The education secretary, Damian Hinds MP, has said children should be taught about the role ethnic minorities made in shaping history. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Effects of social media on teens are limited, study finds

 

A study by the University of Oxford has found the effects of social media on teenage life satisfaction are "tiny". BBC News.

 
BBC

 

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

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