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Daily News Summary
18 August 2020

Exam results 2020: Education secretary apologises to students following government U-turn
Coronavirus: Analysis highlights 'learning gaps' between disadvantaged pupils and their peers
A closer look at 'progressive' curriculums in independent schools

Exam results 2020: Education secretary apologises to students following government U-turn

 

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said he is "sorry for the distress" caused to students and their parents, after the Government announced yesterday that centre assessment grades will be accepted as pupils' final GCSE and A-level results. By Will Hazell, iNews. An article in Schools Week reports Mr Williamson has said he is "very much hoping" BTECs and other vocational qualifications will also be included in the grading U-turn.

Roger Taylor, chair of Ofqual, has acknowledged the algorithm devised to calculate this year's grades has "caused real anguish and damaged public confidence". By John Dickens, Schools Week.

According to Tes, the International Baccalaureate has announced it will make adjustments to some of the grades awarded to candidates in early July. By Claudia Civinini. The article quotes David James, deputy head of Bryanston School.

The Times reports universities are rushing to find places for tens of thousands of pupils who may now meet their grade requirements. By Rosemary Bennett and Steven Swinford. According to The Guardian, university vice-chancellors have warned not every student will be able to get into their first choice, due to limited resources and space. By Sally Weale.

An article in the Financial Times considers the long-term impact of the Government's U-turn on grades. By Chris Giles, Peter Foster and Bethan Staton. The article quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC.

Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding and Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, writes in The Independent criticising the Government's approach to exams this year.

Leo Winkley, headmaster of Shrewsbury School, spoke with Shelagh Fogarty on LBC yesterday, where he said teachers are in "the best possible position in these extraordinary times" to assess the performance of their students. The discussion begins at 00:20:13.

Dr Simon Hyde, incoming general secretary of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and head of The King's School, Macclesfield, has said the decision to use teacher assessed grades "will come as a great relief to hundreds of thousands of students and parents". By Danyal Hussain, The Mail. The article quotes Simon Henderson, headmaster of Eton College.

David James, deputy head (academic) at an independent school, writes in Tes arguing the switch to centre assessment grades could lead to "a whole host of new problems".

Stephen Davidson, a former independent school headmaster, writes to The Telegraph arguing teacher assessed results can be used "with confidence and trust" in schools which "can demonstrate ongoing evaluation of their predicted grades".

Andrew Halls, headmaster of King's College School, Wimbledon, offers advice to students on their potential next steps following A-levels results day. The Sunday Times.

An article in The Times features the reactions of several A-level students to the Government's recent announcement. By Arthi Nachiappan.

The Telegraph offers advice to A-level students who are still unhappy with their results. By Kate Townshend.

BBC News reports A-level and GCSE students in Wales will also be awarded their teacher assessed grades.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said students will receive their GCSE results this Thursday, despite the Department for Education yesterday stating official results would be delayed until next week. By John Roberts, Tes.

The Telegraph offers a guide to this year's GCSE results day. By Sophie Inge.

 

Coronavirus: Analysis highlights 'learning gaps' between disadvantaged pupils and their peers

 

Survey findings from the Institute of Fiscal Studies suggest children from poorer families have spent less time studying during lockdown than their wealthier peers, amid warnings it could take two years for some pupils to catch up on their education. By Ed Thomas and Claire Kendall, BBC News.

The Times reports some parents in Scotland, who have returned from international coronavirus hotspots, have broken quarantine to take their children to school. By Mark McLaughlin.

 

A closer look at 'progressive' curriculums in independent schools

 

An article in The Guardian explores the progressive approaches to learning adopted by some independent schools. By Melissa Benn. The article quotes Alistair McConville, director of innovation and learning at Bedales School, Toby Seth, headteacher at Pocklington School, and Melanie Huntley, head of marketing at Alleyn's School.

 
The Guardian

 

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