isc logo  

Daily News Summary
24 April 2020

Coronavirus: Government announces free tests for school staff and their families
The Telegraph's guide to swapping schools at sixth form
'Lack of overarching message on education contributed to Labour's election loss'
Obituary: Sir Eric Anderson
Friday Feature: How schools are coming together to support their wider communities

Coronavirus: Government announces free tests for school staff and their families

 

Health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed COVID-19 testing will be expanded to include all essential workers, including school staff, and their families. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has said comments from Chris Whitty, the Government's chief medical officer, that social distancing measures may be in place until the end of the year are "reassuring", as they suggest "there is not going to be a rush for everyone going back to school". By Catherine Lough, Tes.

The Telegraph reports on a new government helpline launched today, which is designed to offer support to parents struggling to homeschool their children. By Camilla Turner.

An article in Tes praises the "heroic effort" of schools to support pupils and key workers during the pandemic. By Henry Hepburn.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has confirmed "estimated grades could be adjusted both up and down as part of any moderation we need to make", despite education secretary John Swinney claiming a school's academic performance would not influence pupils' results. By James McEnaney, The Times.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, has said classrooms in Scotland "may have to be resdesigned to allow social distancing" and pupils may have to come to school at different times, once lockdown restrictions are relaxed. By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

A study commissioned by the Scottish Youth Parliament has explored the impact of coronavirus on young people in Scotland, with 96 per cent of respondents saying they fear for their futures. Tes.

Gus O'Donnell, former cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, writes in The Times arguing prioritising wellbeing is the key to phasing out the lockdown.

Tes reports the Department for Education (DfE) is unable to confirm disadvantaged pupils will receive free laptops and tablets before schools reopen. By Amy Gibbons.

The DfE has said schools may have to wait up to four days to receive free school meal vouchers after placing an order. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

An article in The Telegraph explores how disruption to education might disproportionately affect girls from the poorest backgrounds across the world. By Jordan Kelly-Linden.

An anonymous teenager writes in The Telegraph sharing their experience of living under lockdown.

 

The Telegraph's guide to swapping schools at sixth form

 

The Telegraph explores the pros and cons of children moving schools at sixth form level. By Rosie Murray-West. The article quotes the head of several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

 
The Telegraph

'Lack of overarching message on education contributed to Labour's election loss'

 

In an interview with Schools Week, shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said the lack of an "overarching message" on the reasoning behind Labour's flagship national education service contributed to the Party's defeat in the last general election. By Freddie Whittaker.

 
Schools Week

Obituary: Sir Eric Anderson

 

The Times explores the life of Sir Eric Anderson, provost of Eton College and former headmaster of a number of independent schools, who died on April 22 2020.

 
The Times

Friday Feature: How schools are coming together to support their wider communities

 

In the newest instalment of the ISC's 'good news' round-up, we highlight how school communities are continuing to provide support during the coronavirus pandemic, from donating much-needed laptops to running 3000km for NHS Charities Together.

 
ISC

 

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.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.