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Daily News Summary
15 June 2023

Schools are 'perfectly entitled' to engage with MP's over Labour's tax proposals, ISC confirms
UK schools named on global education prize shortlist
Delayed consultation on sign language GCSE begins
University admissions 'barely read' personal statements, survey finds
Will GCSE and A-level results return to pre-pandemic grading this year?
A closer look at... vaping

Schools are 'perfectly entitled' to engage with MP's over Labour's tax proposals, ISC confirms

 

The Guardian has published a number of private messages sent between staff at the Independent Schools Council (ISC) about Bridget Phillipson and provided to the Labour Party in a subject access request. In one message, an official expressed a wish that Ms Phillipson could “appreciate the great good our sector does”. In response, an ISC spokesperson said: “ISC has been consistently clear that it is opposed to the Labour party’s stated policy on independent schools, not the Labour party itself. Indeed, ISC would welcome the opportunity to work with the Labour party to build on the good work already being done in the sector, instead of Labour penalising parents with a tax on their choice of school.” By Pippa Crerar.

 
The Guardian

UK schools named on global education prize shortlist

 

Six schools in the UK have been selected among 10 shortlists for the T4 Education World’s Best School prizes – more than any other country in the world. ACS International School Cobham is in the running for this year's community collaboration prize. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

 
The Independent

Delayed consultation on sign language GCSE begins

 

The delayed consultation on the content of a proposed British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE is being launched today by the Department for Education (DfE). The 12-week consultation over the qualification, to be taught in schools, will come as a relief to campaigners after it was reportedly delayed twice. By Irena Barker, Tes.

 
Tes

University admissions 'barely read' personal statements, survey finds

 

A survey of admissions staff by the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) suggests the hours spent by students writing personal statements for their applications to UK universities may be in vain. According to the findings, the average time spent reading a personal statement was two minutes, with two out of five statements read for just a minute or less. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

 
The Guardian

Will GCSE and A-level results return to pre-pandemic grading this year?

 

iNews considers whether grade boundaries will be lower in 2023 now exam support measures, designed to mitigate against the effect of school closures during the pandemic, have largely been removed. By Alex Finnis, iNews.

 
iNews

A closer look at... vaping

 

BBC's Newsround takes a closer look at the issue of vaping, which follows prime minister Rishi Sunak pledging to take steps to tackle the issue as he is "deeply concerned" about the increase in children using vapes.

 
BBC

 

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.

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