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Daily News Summary
15 June 2020

Coronavirus: Schools in England begin to reopen for Year 10 and 12 students
Former pupils share their experiences of racism at independent schools
Bank of England and Beano come together for financial literacy

Coronavirus: Schools in England begin to reopen for Year 10 and 12 students

 

Secondary schools in England are welcoming back some students in Years 10 and 12 from today for face-to-face time with their teachers. The year groups were prioritised by the Government due to their upcoming GCSE and A-level exams next year. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News. According to The Telegraph, the Government is expected to announce that state primary schools will be able to admit children from all year groups before the summer break if they are able to maintain the class size cap of 15. By Edward Malnick and Steve Bird. The Sunday Times reports students in Scotland face a full year of part-time schooling and exams being cancelled for the second year in a row. By John Boothman.

This week, education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to announce the Government's plans for education this summer. The Times reports summer camps are expected to cover the arts, sport and wellbeing support, rather than reading, writing and maths. By Rosemary Bennett and Nicola Woolcock.

iNews reports independent schools with spacious sites are being encouraged to follow the example of Stamford School in Lincolnshire, which is lending teaching space to a local state primary school. By Will Hazell. The article quotes Nick Gallop, headteacher at the school, and Neil Roskilly, chief executive of the Independent Schools Association (ISA).

The Telegraph reports independent school leaders have questioned the 25 per cent student cap applied to returning Year 10 and 12 pupils, with many schools calling for more flexibility over school reopenings. By Camilla Turner. The article quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC, and Neil Roskilly, chief executive of the ISA.

The EIS, Scotland's largest teaching union, has said schools need more teaching staff and classroom space ahead of reopenings. By John Boothman, The Sunday Times.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of Ofsted, has said social distancing within class bubbles is "an aspiration, not an absolute requirement". By Callum Adams, The Telegraph.

Anne Longfield, the children's commissioner for England, has accused the Government of "giving up" on prioritising education in the easing of lockdown restrictions. By Michael Savage and Liz Lightfoot, The Observer.

More than 100 specialists in psychology, mental health and neuroscience have signed an open letter urging the Government to relax lockdown restrictions for children and young people, warning school closures have had "an incredibly harmful impact on learning". The Sunday Times. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), has called for a "sustainable, long-term plan" to help children catch up on their education. By Dave Speck, Tes.

According to a study conducted by the UCL Institute of Education, one fifth of pupils have done no school work at home, or less than an hour a day. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week. A separate article in Schools Week summarises new guidance from the Department for Education on what remote learning schools should provide.

Education leaders have warned secondary schools in England will struggle to host autumn exams for pupils dissatisfied with their grades while also organising a wider return to the classroom. The article quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC. ITV News. An article in The Telegraph explores whether teachers can accurately predict students' GCSE and A-level grades in the absence of exams. By Harry de Quetteville.

The Times reports senior doctors have warned school closures could leave children at risk of obesity. By Rosemary Bennett. Former education secretary Baroness Nicky Morgan has requested urgent clarification on the status of an annual £320 million PE and sport premium, amid concerns funding for physical education could be cut following widespread school closures. By Jeremy Wilson, The Telegraph.

Marcus Rashford, a Manchester United footballer, has written an open letter to MPs urging the Government to extend the free school meals voucher scheme over the summer holiday. The Telegraph.

The Telegraph reports up to 10 per cent of British students could defer their university places this year due to the disruption caused by coronavirus. By Camilla Turner.

 

Former pupils share their experiences of racism at independent schools

 

The Sunday Times reports a number of black alumni have written to independent schools sharing their experiences of racism, amid calls for schools to diversify their curriculums and introduce unconscious bias training for pupils and staff. By Shingi Mararike and Sian Griffiths. Read the ISC's full statement about this issue.

 
The Times

Bank of England and Beano come together for financial literacy

 

BBC News reports the Beano comic has teamed up with the Bank of England to create 'Money and Me', a 12-lesson course on financial literacy. The programme, which is aimed at children aged five to 11, will be launched for schools in England, Scotland and Wales in July.

 
BBC

 

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