Data from the Department for Education (DfE) has shown that the number of penalties for cheating, handed to GCSE and A-level pupils for taking mobile phones into exam halls, has risen by a third since before the pandemic. In most instances the penalties resulted in pupils losing marks but in more serious cases students were unable to receive an exam grade. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

Ofqual has also published its report into the conduct of the 2022 exam series, which has revealed that 14 schools and colleges reported cyberattacks aiming to access exam administration software or student work. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Tes reports that Ofqual is to investigate the issue of lost exam papers after a rise in such cases this year compared with the last time GCSE and A-level exams were held. By John Roberts.

A review by Ofqual, England's exams regulator, has revealed that over 20,500 students received their vocational-qualification results late this year, with many having to wait for BTec, Cambridge National and Cambridge Technical grades in August. By Hazel Shearing, BBC News.

The Department for Education (DfE) has told Schools Week that pupil premium rates are going to increase from April as part of the £2.3 billion funding boost announced at the Autumn Statement. The increase will be £70 for primary pupils (from £1,385 to £1,455 per child) and £50 for secondary (from £985 to £1,035). By John Dickens.

The education and skills resource budget in Scotland has reportedly been reduced by almost one per cent in real terms, an effective cut of about £25 million. The Times also reports that the SNP's manifesto pledge to provide free school meals to every primary school pupil has been delayed again by more than two years. By Mark McLaughlin.

Kate Richardson, executive principal at the Cabot Learning Federation, says that although "the increase in mental health concerns among pupils across the schools in our trust and nationally is stark.. there is also hope on the horizon".

Writing in The Guardian, Gary Fuller considers a new project that involves schools hosting pollution monitors in the hope of improving air quality, coinciding with the UK Air Pollution Bill beginning its passage through the House of Commons.

The Daily News Summary will be taking a break over the festive period, with today's DNS (16 December) being the last of 2022. Normal service will resume on Tuesday 3 January, 2023. From everyone at the Independent Schools Council, we would like to thank school leaders, teachers and support staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. We wish you all a very merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

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