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Daily News Summary
6 July 2020

Coronavirus: Some state pupils expected to sit fewer GCSEs as part of English and maths catch-up plans
ISC blog: Advice for university applicants in 2020
'Reforming the national curriculum is vital to tackling racism in our education system'
Campaigners call for more selective sixth forms to be opened in the North

Coronavirus: Some state pupils expected to sit fewer GCSEs as part of English and maths catch-up plans

 

The Sunday Times reports some pupils at state schools are expected to be withdrawn from "soft" GCSE subjects, as teachers focus on helping students catch up on their English and maths. By Sian Griffiths. The article quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC. Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has said it "may make sense" for some children to drop a subject at GCSE "to make sure that the core English and maths do get fully back on track". By Charlotte Santry, Tes.

According to the Royal Statistical Society, the grades of pupils deemed to be in the middle of their class academically are "subject to more uncertainty, both in the sense of true uncertainty, and potentially systematic bias". By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The Education Policy Institute has warned plans to keep children apart in "bubbles" are "probably unworkable", arguing it is likely they will mix on the bus to and from school. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Shaun Fenton, headmaster at Reigate Grammar School and vice-chairman of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, writes in The Times urging insurers to interpret government guidelines "more positively" to help schools reopen in September.

According to The Telegraph, Ofsted plans to partially resume its monitoring of schools by carrying out visits from September, where inspectors will hold "collaborative conversations" with headteachers. By Camilla Turner.

The Guardian reports teaching unions have called on the Government to suspend next year's league tables for schools. By Donna Ferguson.

The Telegraph reports the Government has committed to providing £320 million of funding for primary school PE, after a number of sports figures expressed concern over inactivity levels among children during lockdown. By Jeremy Wilson.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, writes in The Telegraph arguing school staff need training to help them "recognise and respond sensitively" to signs of neglect and abuse in children when schools reopen in September.

BBC News reports on study findings which suggest 13 universities face "a very real prospect" of insolvency due to the coronavirus crisis. By Judith Burns.

Figures show the number of school leavers purchasing a teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) course has soared during lockdown, totalling 3,077 between March and June, compared with 798 over the same period last year. By Yohannes Lowe, The Telegraph.

 

ISC blog: Advice for university applicants in 2020

 

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC, offers advice to students who are considering deferring their university place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 
ISC

'Reforming the national curriculum is vital to tackling racism in our education system'

 

Layla Moran, education spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, has written to education secretary Gavin Williamson calling for reforms to the national curriculum to “help black students across the UK feel more included and face less racial injustice”. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Sunday Times reports the Independent Schools Inspectorate has said schools failing to tackle racism "will be judged as not meeting the standards" set by the Government. By Sian Griffiths.

Gemma Hargraves, a history teacher and head of lower school at an independent school, writes in Tes arguing schools can draw upon pupils' anger towards social injustices to facilitate positive change within the education system.

 

Campaigners call for more selective sixth forms to be opened in the North

 

The Times reports campaigners are calling for more selective sixth forms to be opened in the Midlands and northern England to boost the prospects of pupils outside of London. By Rosemary Bennett and George Greenwood.

 
The Times

 

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