isc logo  

Daily News Summary
7 September 2021

Coronavirus: Growing concerns over rise in cases as pupils return to school
Ministers drawing up contingency plans for next year's GCSEs and A-levels
Majority of teachers have heard students express extremist views, findings suggest
Government looking at law change to ensure all schools have defibrillators

Coronavirus: Growing concerns over rise in cases as pupils return to school

 

Government scientific advisers have warned a period of uncertainty lies ahead, as nine million children return to school in England and Wales. By Rhys Blakely and Chris Smyth, The Times.

Professor Neil Ferguson, of Imperial College, has said schools could face disruption if COVID cases hit 100,000 a day. By Sarah Knapton, The Telegraph.

Professor John Edmund, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has suggested it is too late to vaccinate teenagers in an effort to prevent a wave of infections in autumn. By Chris Smyth and Rhys Blakely, The Times.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has said it is vital the Government "responds rapidly should the data suggest it is necessary to implement additional safety measures in schools". By John Roberts, Tes.

According to The Telegraph, some schools have reintroduced bubbles, face masks and self-isolation for healthy children. By Camilla Turner.

The Department for Education is reportedly being threatened with legal action if it fails to update school attendance guidance for vulnerable children and families during the pandemic. By James Carr, Schools Week.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has urged schools to bring back extracurricular clubs and sports in "full force" as pupils return to school. By John Roberts, Tes.

An editorial piece in The Guardian argues families and teachers have been "let down" by the Government over the past 18 months.

Schools Week reports just 41 schools in London are due to receive carbon dioxide monitors this week. By Freddie Whittaker.

According to The Times, 35,000 pupils in Scotland are absent from school for coronavirus-related reasons. By Mark McLaughlin.

 

Ministers drawing up contingency plans for next year's GCSEs and A-levels

 

Schools minister Nick Gibb has revealed that alternative arrangements are being drawn up for next year's GCSEs and A-levels should COVID disruption lead to the cancellation of exams. By Richard Vaughan, iNews.

 
iNews

Majority of teachers have heard students express extremist views, findings suggest

 

According to a study by University College London, a majority of teachers have heard students express extremist views including racism, homophobia and conspiracy theories in classrooms across England. By Zaina Alibhai, The Independent.

 
The Independent

Government looking at law change to ensure all schools have defibrillators

 

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said the Government is looking at changing the law to put defibrillators in place in all schools, following a meeting with campaigners. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

 

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.