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Daily News Summary
6 December 2023

Figures suggest a quarter of independent schools have withdrawn from the TPS amid cost pressures
A closer look at the latest Pisa rankings
Independent schools in Scotland more likely to win exam grade appeals, analysis finds
Entrants to sit computer science GCSE fully online for first time
Porn users could have faces scanned to prove age, draft Ofcom guidance suggests
Red tape and costs deterring schools from exchanges and trips, MPs warn

Figures suggest a quarter of independent schools have withdrawn from the TPS amid cost pressures

 

Figures shared with iNews suggest more than a quarter of all independent schools in England and Wales have withdrawn staff from the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS). According to a freedom of information request from Wesleyan Financial Services, a total of 480 independent schools have now pulled out or partly withdrawn from the scheme, or have notified the government of plans to do so.

Chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Julie Robinson said schools' first choice would be to remain in the TPS where they can, though this is becoming increasingly difficult as employer contributions rise. Ms Robinson explained: "Most independent schools are small community schools that are already operating on tight margins, and they will be looking for ways to cut costs while keeping fees low. Like all responsible employers when faced with such increases, they will be considering alternative schemes available to them. Teachers are schools’ most valuable resource, and schools will be doing all they can to ensure their staff have fair pay and conditions." The article also quotes the headteacher of an independent secondary school, who says: "If Labour hits us with VAT next autumn and the employer contribution goes up for the TPS, those two things loaded up together would present quite a big financial shock to us." By Callum Mason.

 
iNews

A closer look at the latest Pisa rankings

 

Former schools minister Nick Gibb reflects on the results of the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) survey, which found that England rose from 17th place to 11th place in maths. Mr Gibb, one of the key architects behind the education reforms of the last 13 years, argues that "there is more to do to spread and embed the reforms, but what is now absolutely clear is that yesterday’s controversies have led to today’s success". The Telegraph.

Today's Telegraph View focuses on the Pisa results and says they are the "real legacy of Covid lockdowns".

BBC News reports that 11 per cent of pupils in the UK told the Pisa survey they are skipping more meals because of poverty. The average across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which runs Pisa, was 8 per cent. By Christina McSorley, Elaine Dunkley and Marthe de Ferrer. 

Writing in Tes, research methods specialist Christian Bokhove says the latest Pisa rankings need to be read carefully to determine the true performance of the UK nations.

 

Independent schools in Scotland more likely to win exam grade appeals, analysis finds

 

Analysis published today by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) suggests independent schools in Scotland continue to be more successful than maintained schools when it comes to challenging pupils’ exam grades. The figures show that schools in the independent sector had success with 12.8 per cent of their appeals, while 9.8 per cent of state schools' appeals resulted in an improvement. By Emma Seith, Tes.

 
Tes

Entrants to sit computer science GCSE fully online for first time

 

Pupils are to sit a GCSE exam fully online for the first time, the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations board (OCR) has announced. It will offer a digitally-assessed GCSE in computer science for pupils commencing their course in 2025, with OCR chief executive Jill Duffy praising digital exams for bringing “greater clarity to the marking progress”. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

 
The Telegraph

Porn users could have faces scanned to prove age, draft Ofcom guidance suggests

 

Draft guidance from Ofcom suggests online porn users could have their faces scanned to prove their age, with extra checks for young-looking adults. The watchdog has outlined a number of ways explicit sites could prevent children from viewing pornography, while a recent survey suggests the average age children first view pornography is 13. By Chris Vallance, BBC News.

 
BBC

Red tape and costs deterring schools from exchanges and trips, MPs warn

 

MPs have warned that schools are shunning exchange visits and trips as a result of red tape and increasing costs. Group passports and visa waivers are no longer allowed between the UK and all European Union countries, prompting concerns over the feasibility of trips to the continent. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

 
The Times

 

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