isc logo  

Daily News Summary
8 February 2021

Coronavirus: Government considers extending the school day to mitigate learning loss
Exams 2021: GCSE students 'hit the hardest' by lockdown
Government launches new Turing Scheme in place of the EU's Erasmus programme
Academics call for tackling to be banned in school rugby

Coronavirus: Government considers extending the school day to mitigate learning loss

 

According to The Telegraph, the Department for Education is considering lengthening the school day to help children catch up on their learning. By Camilla Turner, Lucy Fisher and Harry Yorke. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has described the proposal as "superficially attractive", arguing there are "better methods" to help pupils catch up on their education. By Mattha Busby, The Guardian.

The Telegraph has claimed that some independent schools are drawing up plans to lengthen the summer term to help maximise the amount of time children will have in the classroom. By Camilla Turner. The article quotes Dr Richard Maloney, headmaster at Uppingham School.

Scientists have called on the Government to provide guidance for schools on how to improve ventilation in classrooms to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

Tim Loughton, a former education minister, has accused some teachers of "jumping the queue" for coronavirus vaccines, after it emerged that Portsmouth city council invited schools to identify staff they believe should be inoculated. By Gareth Davies, The Telegraph.

The National Education Union has been accused of "hijacking the pandemic" by including pay rises in its "key demands for all workplaces". By Hayley Dixon, The Telegraph.

The Educational Institute of Scotland has suggested Scottish schools in areas with level 4 rates of COVID-19 should automatically switch to blended or remote learning. By John Boothman, The Sunday Times.

The Herald reports independent schools in Scotland have called for a delay to plans to abolish business rates relief, citing the financial impact of the pandemic. By Alistair Grant. The article quotes John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools.

Kirsty Williams, the education minister for Wales, has said the country is "not yet in a position" to allow all pupils to return to school. BBC News.

 

Exams 2021: GCSE students 'hit the hardest' by lockdown

 

According to research from ImpactEd, an education non-profit, pupils in years 10 and 11 are less likely to receive help from their families during lockdown, establish a suitable learning routine at home, or understand the work they have been set. The findings also suggest students in Year 11 are the most likely to suffer from anxiety. By Tony Diver, The Telegraph.

A number of unions and professional bodies have issued a joint statement arguing appeals against grades should be made "directly to awarding organisations and not to schools and colleges as suggested in the Ofqual/DfE consultation". By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The Telegraph reports some eleven-plus tutors are setting their own entrance exams during lockdown to identify "weaker candidates". By Camilla Turner.

 

Government launches new Turing Scheme in place of the EU's Erasmus programme

 

The Government has officially launched its new Turing Scheme, which it says will provide funding for around 35,000 students to go on educational placements all over the world. By Will Hazell, iNews.

 
iNews

Academics call for tackling to be banned in school rugby

 

A number of academics have written a joint letter urging the Government to ban tackling in school rugby to protect children from brain injuries. By Rebecca Myers and Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

 
The Sunday Times

 

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.