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Daily News Summary
20 April 2020

Coronavirus: No date for school reopenings
ISC blog: Managing uncertainties - looking for opportunities
Oxford University admitting more students who miss their offers, figures suggest
'Investigating the underachievement of white working class pupils is not racist'
Figures point to attainment gap in Scotland
How parents are talking to their children about climate change

Coronavirus: No date for school reopenings

 

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said he cannot give a date for when schools in England will reopen, adding there are currently "no plans" to reopen schools over the summer. BBC News. The Scottish Government has confirmed the lockdown will continue for another three weeks before any further decisions are made in terms of relaxing restrictions. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times. The announcements follow an article published in The Sunday Times, which suggested schools could reopen as soon as May 11 under a "traffic light" system. By Caroline Wheeler, Tim Shipman, Sian Griffiths and Eleni Courea. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has warned against "irresponsible speculation" over school reopenings, arguing it is "causing confusion and fear" within school communities. By Richard Adams, The Guardian. An interactive poll featured in The Sunday Times asks readers whether they think schools should reopen for the summer term. The final result will be published on April 26.

An article in Tes features Gavin Williamson's responses to three queries raised during the Government's daily coronavirus briefing. By Amy Gibbons.

The Department for Education has announced it will provide free laptops for disadvantaged pupils in Year 10 to help them study at home. Primary and secondary school pupils will also have access to free online lessons available under the label of Oak National Academy. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News. An article in The Guardian reports on BBC Bitesize Daily, a new education service launched by the BBC designed to help children to continue learning while in lockdown. By Sally Weale.

According to a poll conducted by The Sutton Trust and Public First, two thirds of children have not taken part in online lessons during the lockdown. The findings also suggest independently-educated pupils are more than twice as likely to receive daily online tuition as their state school peers. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The Observer reports pupils and parents are inundating schools with pleas for good grades as teachers work to assess students' performance in place of cancelled exams. By Julie Henry.

iNews explores the impact the coronavirus has had on education. By Will Hazell.

The Telegraph reports the NSPCC is advising parents to only allow their children to use online platform Zoom with adult supervision, amid inquiries into alleged security breaches. By Charlie Hymas. The Times reports the Government is expected to send a text message to every parent and carer in the country warning them of the online dangers children face during the pandemic. By Justin Stoneman.

The Welsh Government has dropped plans to introduce a supermarket voucher scheme for children eligible for free school meals, and has confirmed alternative arrangements will be announced in the coming days. BBC News.

Steve Biddulph, an author and psychologist, writes in The Times explaining why young boys appear to be among the most affected by the lockdown restrictions.

A report published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has concluded parents who continue to work during the lockdown should be compensated for the impact extra childcare is having on their lives and jobs. By Charles Hymas, The Telegraph.

Tes reports on findings which suggests schools are still hiring teaching staff and encouraging candidates to apply despite widespread closures. By Simon Lock.

 

ISC blog: Managing uncertainties - looking for opportunities

 

Duncan Byrne, head at Loughborough Grammar School, outlines the different ways pupils can manage their anxiety during the lockdown.

 
ISC

Oxford University admitting more students who miss their offers, figures suggest

 

The Telegraph reports 36 per cent of Oxford University applicants who missed their offers were accepted anyway, compared to 26 per cent in 2016. By Camilla Turner.

 
The Telegraph

'Investigating the underachievement of white working class pupils is not racist'

 

Robert Halfon, a Conservative MP and chair of the education select committee, has rejected claims that an inquiry into the underachievement of white working class pupils is racist. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Figures point to attainment gap in Scotland

 

According to government figures obtained by The Times, pupils from Scotland's wealthiest areas are more likely to leave school with five Highers than their poorer peers are to leave with one. By James McEnaney.

 
The Times

How parents are talking to their children about climate change

 

iNews reports on how some parents are navigating the challenges of educating their children about climate change when they are anxious about it themselves. By Alexa Phillips.

 
iNews

 

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