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Daily News Summary
5 August 2020

Coronavirus: Schools should be "first to open, last to close" in any future lockdown
SQA results day 2020: Pass rates rise despite lowering of almost 125,000 grades
Early years workers are 'underpaid and undervalued', report finds

Coronavirus: Schools should be "first to open, last to close" in any future lockdown

 

Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner for England, has published a briefing which states schools should be prioritised over non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants in the event of a future lockdown. By Katherine Sellgren, BBC News. The briefing also recommends the testing of teachers and pupils, regardless of whether they have coronavirus symptoms, to prevent "having to send entire classes or year groups home". By Claudia Civinini, Tes.

The Telegraph reports teaching unions have called for an "alternative strategy" to reopening schools in September in the event of a second lockdown. By Camilla Turner.

The Independent features comments from some headteachers who believe a more effective test and trace system is needed to boost confidence levels among schools and teachers ahead of pupils' return in September. By Zoe Tidman.

Joseph Howes, chief executive of the charity Buttle UK, writes in Tes in support of a government strategy to address the challenges children are currently facing, warning these issues "are going to create huge pressures on teaching staff and wider school communities".

The United Nations has warned the pandemic has created a "generational catastrophe", with approximately 24 million children across the world at risk of dropping out of education altogether next year. By Sarah Newey, The Telegraph.

An article in The Telegraph answers some frequently asked questions about the transmission of coronavirus ahead of school reopenings next month. By Eleanor Steafel.

Tes reports on the selection process for catch-up tutoring providers, as published by the Government yesterday. By Amy Gibbons.

 

SQA results day 2020: Pass rates rise despite lowering of almost 125,000 grades

 

This year's Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results reveal a rise in pass rates and an increase in the number of students getting accepted into university or college, despite the lowering of 124,000 grades. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

John Swinney, Scotland's education secretary, has confirmed the only way for pupils to challenge their results will be through an appeal system, which will be free to access this year. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

iNews reports this year's exam system has been described as "disturbing and grossly unequal". Findings from the results show that in all three exam categories, pupils living in the 20 per cent most deprived areas in Scotland were more likely to have their grades lowered. By Chris Green.

The Telegraph reports some parents in Scotland have said they will consider legal action, after their children received "unfathomable" results. By Daniel Sanderson.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has defended the SQA's moderation process, suggesting teachers' estimated grades for pupils were "not credible". By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

Tes features an article from an anonymous teacher, who says they intend to appeal almost all of their students' SQA results, after they all received a grade lower than expected.

Lindsay Paterson, professor of education policy at the University of Edinburgh, writes in The Times arguing this year's exam system "has opened up an avalanche of unfairness".

Reflecting on this year's SQA results, Neil Roskilly, chief executive of the Independent Schools Association, has warned bright pupils in England "may miss out if their schools' historic performance is weak". By Marc Horne and Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

An article in The Times answers some frequently asked questions about this year's SQA results.

 

Early years workers are 'underpaid and undervalued', report finds

 

According to a report from the Social Mobility Commission, the early years workforce is becoming "increasingly unstable", with many members of staff quitting due to long hours and low pay. By Judith Burns, BBC News.

 
BBC

 

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