isc logo  

Daily News Summary
16 January 2020

Teachers make first legal claim following TPS changes
Should parents move house for a good state school, or consider private education?
'Are IGCSEs advantageous to independent school pupils?'
Oxford University admits highest proportion of state school pupils in its 900 year history
County lines drug dealers could face longer sentences if using children, guidelines propose
Go vegan and have a digital detox, suggests the DofE
Make allergy training a legal requirement for schools, says Highland mum

Teachers make first legal claim following TPS changes

 

More than 300 teachers have started a legal claim, on the grounds they have suffered age discrimination, following changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). By Dave Speck, Tes.

 
Tes

Should parents move house for a good state school, or consider private education?

 

Marianna Hunt writes in The Telegraph about parents who are having to pay a lot of money to live within the catchment area of a top state school. She says "in some places, opting for the private system can leave parents £5,000 a year better off". The paper also features some of the "best value" independent prep schools, still accepting applications for September.

The Times reports there is less competition this autumn for parents to get their child into a primary school, due to a falling birthrate and a greater number of places. By Nicola Woolcock.

 

'Are IGCSEs advantageous to independent school pupils?'

 

Author Robert Verkaik writes in iNews about IGCSE examinations, which are no longer taken by state school pupils. He debates whether these exams are easier and are therefore providing "more advantages" for privately educated pupils. The article quotes Simon Reid, headmaster of Christ's Hospital School (CHS), as well as a number of CHS pupils. Comments by Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, are also featured.

 
iNews

Oxford University admits highest proportion of state school pupils in its 900 year history

 

According to Oxford University's latest admission figures, two state school pupils were offered a place for every privately educated student this year. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

County lines drug dealers could face longer sentences if using children, guidelines propose

 

New proposed guidelines could see county lines drug dealers facing longer prison sentences if they use children. By Charles Hymas, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Go vegan and have a digital detox, suggests the DofE

 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) has published a list of 25 experiences for young people to try before leaving school. Among the recommendations are trying a vegan diet and having a digital detox. By Jessica Carpani, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Make allergy training a legal requirement for schools, says Highland mum

 

A mother of a three-year-old has lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament calling for allergy training to be a legal requirement in schools and nurseries. BBC News.

 
BBC

 

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.