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Daily News Summary
15 November 2023

Two-thirds of new cabinet attended independent schools, Sutton Trust figures show
How will Damian Hinds affect education policy?
Local authority employee claims some schools are excluding children with SEND
Teacher wellbeing survey indicates record levels of stress
Chickenpox vaccine should be given to all UK toddlers, say advisers
More employers using AI to help enrol university graduates, survey finds
Schools invited to apply for free portrait of King Charles III

Two-thirds of new cabinet attended independent schools, Sutton Trust figures show

 

Research by the Sutton Trust has found 63 per cent of Rishi Sunak's new cabinet were independently educated. Of the cabinet's 32 ministers, 21 went to independent schools, five went to grammar schools and six attended comprehensive schools. By Ashley Cowburn, The Daily Mirror.

 
Daily Mirror

How will Damian Hinds affect education policy?

 

Damian Hinds has returned to the Department for Education (DfE) following the government's reshuffle earlier this week. Tes looks at what this could mean for the DfE's approach to schools and wider education policy. By John Roberts, Jasmine Norden, Charlotte Santry and Cerys Turner, Tes. 

 
Tes

Local authority employee claims some schools are excluding children with SEND

 

A local authority employee has reported witnessing schools excluding pupils for having special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) they are unable to meet. She also claims some schools are excluding SEND children to protect their results. Government guidance for schools currently states that under the Equalities Act it would be "unlawful" to exclude a pupil "simply because they have SEND or a disability that the school feels it is unable to meet", however this is what was reported by the individual, who works to place children with SEND. The article notes that, while independent schools are not governed by government guidance on how best to support children with SEND, they are obliged to comply with the Equality Act 2010. By Nick Martin and Fiona Mackie, Sky News.

 
Sky

Teacher wellbeing survey indicates record levels of stress

 

Teacher wellbeing has fallen to its lowest level in five years, with stress, insomnia and burnout all continuing to rise, a new survey has revealed. Education Support’s 2023 teacher wellbeing index found worsening wellbeing among school staff in England, with rates for teachers at their lowest levels since 2019 and now below that of those in senior roles. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

Chickenpox vaccine should be given to all UK toddlers, say advisers

 

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended that all children in the UK should be given a chickenpox vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age, combined with the MMR jab as one shot. The government will now decide whether to add the chickenpox vaccine, currently only available privately in most cases, to routine childhood immunisations. By Michelle Roberts, BBC News.

 
BBC

More employers using AI to help enrol university graduates, survey finds

 

A rising number of employers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help hire university graduates and school leavers, a report by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) has suggested. Approximately one in four employers (28 per cent) have introduced AI as part of their recruitment process, according to the findings. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent. 

 
The Independent

Schools invited to apply for free portrait of King Charles III

 

An invitation has been sent to schools inviting them to request a free portrait of King Charles III from the Department for Education (DfE). Applications must be made before 2 February. By Amy Walker, Schools Week. 

 
Schools Week

 

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