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Teaching about slavery should be key part of curriculum, says Professor Sir Geoff Palmer
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Teaching and learning
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Speaking last week at Enlightened Education, the joint conference organised by the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) and the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Sir Geoff Palmer called for slavery to be taught "truthfully" in school as a mandatory part of the curriculum. Sir Geoff praised Melvyn Roffe, principal of George Watson’s College and chair of the HMC, 'for being truthful' about his own school's past links to the slave trade and urged others to do the same. By Emma Seith, Tes.
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Independently educated pupils 'more likely to have professional connections'
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Independent sector
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The Times reports on research by social mobility tech firm Zero Gravity which suggests independently educated pupils are more likely to have connections to professionals such as lawyers and bankers because of 'flourishing old boy and girl networks'. By Nicola Woolcock.
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Gender identity: guidance for schools and concerns over online sales of 'DIY' transitions
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Child welfare
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Schools should be given "common sense" advice on transgender issues, according to senior government ministers including Kit Malthouse, the education secretary. Ministers are reportedly divided in their opinions over what schools should be advised regarding transgender provisions such as same sex toilets. By Chris Smyth, The Times.
Church of England guidance on the subject states that schoolchildren should be “supported to accept their own gender identity or sexual orientation and that of others”, prompting calls by some parents for it to be reviewed. By Jonathan Ames, The Sunday Times.
The Sunday Times also reports that young people with gender dysphoria are able to illegally purchase hormones online, with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society warning they risk “serious harm” to their health. By Sian Griffiths and Glen Keogh.
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International Baccalaureate set to move exams online
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Examinations
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The International Baccalaureate (IB) is moving exams online in an attempt to “future-proof” the qualification and assess students in new ways more suited to the modern workplace, although a timeline for the move has not yet been issued. By Emma Yeomans, The Times.
Digital clocks have been installed in exam halls for pupils taking their GCSEs who are unable to tell the time on an analogue clock. Children are taught to tell the time by age seven but there are fears some have not mastered the skill. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.
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Childcare: funding and the pressure on the early years sector
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Primary education and early years
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The prime minister, Liz Truss, is considering plans to change the childcare subsidy system which could see families being given money directly rather than it going to nurseries. By Henry Zeffman, The Times.
An editorial piece in The Guardian explores Labour's proposals for 'fixing' the childcare sector, arguing the "early years sector has broken under the Tories". The Guardian also includes a podcast about the pressures on Britain's nurseries, in which Sally Weale explains what has 'pushed the sector to the brink'.
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Funding for schools 'more likely to be lower than promised'
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Funding
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Following reports that ministers have said schools will receive more funding in 2023-24, Schools Week analyses provisional school budget data by the National Education Union and asks whether schools really will be given additional money. By Tom Belger.
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Teacher strikes vote 'could be delayed'
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Education policy
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The Telegraph reports a vote on teacher strikes 'could be delayed until January' because of fears that striking postal workers could prevent members from returning their ballot papers. The paper also reports that Labour has said it would legalise online voting for strikes. By Will Hazell.
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IE Today: Mental health 'never more important'
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Mental health
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Today is World Mental Health Day, and IE Today will be running a campaign throughout the week to highlight the importance of mental health for children, staff and parents. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), and Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, chief executive officer of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), are both quoted expressing their support. IE Today also features several articles shining a light on individual schools' wellbeing initiatives and mental health programmes. By Karen Brewer.
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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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