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Coronavirus: Nadhim Zahawi calls for an extended school day
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General education
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Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, has said that the school day should be extended to at least six-and-a-half hours to help combat learning loss caused by the pandemic. He added that there are some "excellent examples" of schools already running on an extended timetable to provide children with more time in the classroom. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.
School leaders have warned that disruption to education could continue following the return to school after half-term. James Bowen, the director of policy at the National Association of Head Teachers, said "given the high case numbers that we are still seeing in communities, school leaders are worried that unless the Government does more, disruption is likely to continue for the foreseeable future". By Will Hazell, iNews.
Tes takes a closer look at the scale of regional learning loss caused by the coronavirus pandemic. By Matilda Martin and Catherine Lough.
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House of Commons: Oral question about independent and state school partnerships
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Independent sector
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In a debate in the House of Commons yesterday, Brendan Clarke-Smith, Conservative MP for Bassetlaw, asked the minister for school standards how he intends to encourage partnerships between independent and state schools, highlighting the ISC’s upcoming “Celebrating Partnerships” report. In response, Robin Walker said the Government is “committed to cross-sector partnerships across England”, and made reference to a partnership between Worksop College in Bassetlaw and 11 local state schools. Mr Walker added: “Such partnerships can form a key part of economic recovery, and I welcome the forthcoming 'Celebrating Partnerships' report.” Hansard.
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COP26: "The biggest disruption will come from the youngest voices"
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Teaching and learning
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Robin Macpherson, the head of college at Robert Gordon's College, has written for Tes outlining three things teachers can expect to learn about during COP26.
Steve Brace, the head of education and outdoor learning at the Royal Geographical Society, discusses the importance of sustainability in schools. Tes.
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New Welsh schools and colleges to be net zero from January 2022
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Welsh education
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The Welsh Government has said that new school and college buildings will have to meet net zero targets from January next year. Jeremy Miles, the education minister, said it was "an important contribution to our ambitious plan" of a net zero Wales by 2050. By Bethan Lewis, BBC News.
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Seven schools to become carbon-zero in five years
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Independent sector
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Forfar Education, an education group that owns seven schools and nurseries, has pledged to make its entire school group carbon-zero in five years. John Forsyth, chief executive of Forfar Education, said "we must also now weave environmental responsibility and ecological sustainability into all we do, so that our children are inspired to play their part”. By James Higgins, Independent Education Today.
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MPs sign off on Katharine Birbalsingh as chair of the Social Mobility Commission
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Education policy
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MPs have signed off on the appointment of Katharine Birbalsingh as chair of the Social Mobility Commission. The Parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee called Ms Birbalsingh a “bold and interesting” choice and recommended an initial three-year term. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.
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Exam boards could be asked to avoid "complex language" in assessments
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Examinations
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Ofqual has published draft guidance aimed at addressing the ways in which some pupils are “unfairly disadvantaged" by complex language in exams. The new guidance means exam boards could be asked to avoid using colloquialisms, sarcasm and idioms in assessments to make them more accessible for pupils. By Rachel Hall, The Guardian.
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Multi-academy trust drive is "not a race", national schools commissioner says
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Academies and free schools
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Dominic Herrington, the national schools commissioner, told a Westminster Education Forum conference yesterday that the Government’s multi-academy trust drive is “not a race," adding "there’s no hard target or legislation". By Tom Belger, Schools Week.
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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.
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