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Daily News Summary
20 February 2023

Independent schools exploring measures to combat Labour's 'tax on aspiration'
New Epsom College headteacher vows to honour Emma Pattison's legacy
Strikes: Scottish union insists it 'will win' fight over teacher pay
University cheating allegations 'double' after switch to online exams
Cambridge college reduces independent school admissions from almost a half to a quarter
Sexually abusive language and conduct 'normalised' in schools, study suggests
Half of state SEND schools are oversubscribed, research finds
Canterbury Cathedral opens boys' choir to state school pupils

Independent schools exploring measures to combat Labour's 'tax on aspiration'

 

The Telegraph reports independent schools are considering a variety of options in the event that Labour implements its pledge to scrap charitable status and add VAT on fees. By Camilla Turner. The article quotes David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools' Bursars Association, and an independent school headmaster.

 
The Telegraph

New Epsom College headteacher vows to honour Emma Pattison's legacy

 

Educationalist Sir Anthony Seldon has been appointed as the new headteacher of Epsom College, following the death of Emma Pattison earlier this month. The former headmaster of Brighton College and Wellington College said: "Emma was driven, ambitious and courageous – there is no better way to respect her memory than for Epsom College to forge ahead and embody the values that guided her life." Sir Anthony will take on the role from 1 March and intends to stay in post for the 2023-24 academic year, with a new headteacher taking over in September 2024. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Strikes: Scottish union insists it 'will win' fight over teacher pay

 

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has predicted that teachers will defeat the Government in their dispute over pay. Education officials have been instructed to prepare contingency arrangements for dealing with exam disruption as the union plans further walkouts. By John Boothman, The Sunday Times.

A union representing Wales' school leaders has put a planned ballot on hold, citing a "lack of detail and transparency" on the latest pay deal. The Welsh Government has insisted there is no extra money to offer to striking teachers. BBC News.

Strikes by university staff over the next two weeks have been paused after the University and College Union said it had made "significant progress" across multiple issues during talks with employers. By Hazel Shearing and Jemma Crew, BBC News.

Dr Andrew Cunningham, who has taught at several independent schools, writes in The Telegraph claiming university strikes are among some of the reasons why more British students are opting for US universities.

 

University cheating allegations 'double' after switch to online exams

 

According to The Telegraph, plagiarism cases at universities have risen on average from 157 in 2019 to 353 last year, while cases of academic misconduct have risen from 201 to 464 over the same period. This comes amid concerns that artificial intelligence technology such as ChatGPT will lead to a rise in cheating. By Louisa Clarence-Smith.

 
The Telegraph

Cambridge college reduces independent school admissions from almost a half to a quarter

 

Gonville & Caius, the University of Cambridge college, has reduced its independent school pupil intake from almost a half to a quarter after changing its admissions policy to emphasise "academic potential" over "achievement". By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Sexually abusive language and conduct 'normalised' in schools, study suggests

 

A study co-ordinated by Citizens UK has found that one in five schoolchildren, some as young as 11, has experienced or witnessed sexual harassment at school, while sexually abusive language has become "normalised" in British classrooms. By Hannah Fearn, iNews.

 
iNews

Half of state SEND schools are oversubscribed, research finds

 

BBC research has found that half of state-funded schools in England for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are oversubscribed, with some forced to convert portable cabins and cupboards into teaching spaces due to a lack of room. By Elaine Dunkley, Kate McGough and Harriet Agerholm.

 
BBC

Canterbury Cathedral opens boys' choir to state school pupils

 

Canterbury Cathedral is to open its boys' choir to singers from local state schools as part of a drive to attract children aged eight to 13 "from a diverse range of backgrounds". Choristers have historically been recruited from St Edmund's School Canterbury, a nearby independent day and boarding school. By Craig Simpson, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

 

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