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Daily News Summary
25 September 2019

'Abolishing independent schools will not benefit my state pupils'
Jeremy Corbyn quizzed about private schools on Today programme
'How to cut the cost of an independent education'
State schools 'less likely' to call on alumni for careers support
UK schools face a shortage of 50,000 teachers 'in the next five years'
Survey suggests children are lashing out in school 'because they are hungry'

'Abolishing independent schools will not benefit my state pupils'

 

David Benson, head of Kensington Aldridge Academy, writes in The Times arguing plans to abolish independent schools 'would not help state schools'. The article references the Godolphin and Latymer School, Latymer Upper, and Charterhouse.

Drawing upon the experiences of Scottish independent schools, John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, highlights how positive change can be achieved "without the need for pulling the system up by the roots". Tes.

Pie News features a piece on the independent sector's reaction to Labour's plans to abolish independent schools. By Viggo Stacey. The article quotes Colin Bell, chief executive of the Council of British International Schools, and references a quote from Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

Robert Verkaik, author and co-founder of the thinktank Private School Policy Reform, argues the Labour Party should pursue "more modest measures" for independent school reform instead of abolition. The Guardian.

There are further letters today published in The Times, which argue independent schools should not be penalised for the educational opportunities they offer. The letters can be found halfway down the page.

 

Jeremy Corbyn quizzed about private schools on Today programme

 

Jeremy Corbyn was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning about a range of issues following the Labour Party conference. When asked about private schools, he said land ownership of independent schools "is not the immediate issue", and instead emphasised the Party's desire to end charitable status and introduce taxation. Listen from 2:25:55.

 
BBC Radio 4

'How to cut the cost of an independent education'

 

Money Week offers advice to parents of prospective pupils on how to access an independent education more affordably. By Ruth Jackson-Kirby. The article references the ISC.

 
MoneyWeek

State schools 'less likely' to call on alumni for careers support

 

According to a survey carried out by education charity Future First, 67 per cent of independent secondary school teachers used alumni to widen access to job opportunities for pupils, compared to just 26 per cent of teachers in state secondaries. By Kathryn Snowdon, Schools Week.

Does your school offer careers support to pupils in the local community as part of a state school partnership? If you would like to write a blog on the subject, please email emily.roberts@isc.co.uk

 
Schools Week

UK schools face a shortage of 50,000 teachers 'in the next five years'

 

The Daily Star reports a new recruitment scheme called Tomorrow's Teachers is to be launched following reports UK schools will face a shortage of 50,000 teachers in the next five years. By Kate Nelson.

 
Daily Star

Survey suggests children are lashing out in school 'because they are hungry'

 

According to a new survey, 27 per cent of teachers said they have seen pupils lash out at other children because the pupil was hungry. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

 
The Independent

 

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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