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Daily News Summary
4 September 2020

Coronavirus: Schools implementing face mask policies 'tighter than official guidelines'
Exam results 2020: Proportion of state pupils at Cambridge University set to reach record high following grading controversy
Analysis predicts shortage of secondary school places in the next five years
'Young people need a broader and more socially inspiring model of achievement'
'Top tips for teaching overseas'
Spotlight On: The 'send a hug' project

Coronavirus: Schools implementing face mask policies 'tighter than official guidelines'

 

According to The Telegraph, over 100 schools are asking pupils to wear face masks even when there are no local lockdown restrictions in place. By Camilla Turner.

Schools Week reports headteachers have been urged to discourage pupils and staff from getting tested for coronavirus unnecessarily, so health officials can 'prioritise testing capacity for those with symptoms'. By John Dickens.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has called for the return of PE lessons in schools, saying "people seem to be paying far more attention to mental health than physical health". By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

An article in The PIE News reports the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA) has been organising flights for Chinese pupils to help bring them back to their UK schools. By Will Nott. The article quotes Caroline Nixon, the BSA's international director.

The Telegraph offers advice to parents on how they can support their children as they head back to school. By Janice Hopper. A separate article in the paper features tips from childcare and education experts on how to prepare children for the new term. By Boudicca Fox-Leonard.

The Telegraph invites parents to join its three-part webinar series about helping children to catch up on their education.

 

Exam results 2020: Proportion of state pupils at Cambridge University set to reach record high following grading controversy

 

Early admissions data suggests 70 per cent of students starting at Cambridge University this autumn will have been educated in the state sector. Express & Star. The article quotes a spokeswoman for the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

Julie Swan, Ofqual's executive director of general qualifications, has said it is "wrong to assume" that students whose teacher assessed grades were lowered by their school "have necessarily been disadvantaged". By John Dickens, Schools Week.

Roger Taylor, chair of Ofqual, has said private candidates appear to have "lost out most as a result of the decision to cancel exams", as they were unable to receive centre assessment grades. By Julia Belgutay, Tes.

According to Tes, law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP is in discussions with parents and students about a potential legal challenge over this year's International Baccalaureate results. By Claudia Civinini and Catherine Lough.

An article in iNews explores the impact of delays to BTEC results on students. By Jasmine Andersson.

 

Analysis predicts shortage of secondary school places in the next five years

 

According to analysis by the Local Government Association, the number of pupils going into secondary school "is growing at a far faster rate than the number of places available", and a third of local areas across England face being oversubscribed in the next five years. By John Roberts, Tes.

 
Tes

'Young people need a broader and more socially inspiring model of achievement'

 

Alistair McConville, director of learning and innovation at Bedales School, writes in Tes arguing the "narrow focus" on success in schools can have a detrimental impact on pupils' mental health.

 
Tes

'Top tips for teaching overseas'

 

Mark Steed, the principal and chief executive of Kellett School, the British School in Hong Kong, writes in Tes offering advice for teachers who have moved abroad to teach in an international school.

 
Tes

Spotlight On: The 'send a hug' project

 

This week's instalment of the 'Spotlight On' series shines a light on St Helen and St Katharine's 'send a hug' project, designed to spread warmth and cheer to residents of a local care home during lockdown.

 
ISC

 

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