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'Partnership work offers a feast of opportunities to children across the country'
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Partnerships
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Writing in Tes, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Julie Robinson explains what is at the heart of independent-state school partnerships and outlines the benefits of working together, from sharing facilities to governance expertise. Ms Robinson says that despite the financial challenges schools are facing, including the proposed policy to add VAT to school fees, those involved in partnership work "don't see it as a tick-box exercise or a nice-to-have; for them, it is an essential part of who they are and what they do". She adds: "Numerous heads have told me that partnerships would be the absolute last thing they would consider as part of cost-cutting initiatives."
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Spotlight On: A life-transforming partnership with The School & Family Works
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ISC blog
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In the first ISC blog to mark this year's Partnerships Week, Mark Turner and Caroline Hulme-Mckibbin, of King’s House School and Kensington Prep School respectively, describe how they have been working in partnership with The School & Family Works to support families whose children are struggling at school.
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Letters: In praise of single-sex schools
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Letters
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Jane Gandee, headmistress at St Swithun’s School, has a letter published in today's Times in which she echoes the remarks of GSA CEO Donna Stevens, who has called for children to be at the heart of the single-sex school debate. Ms Gandee says "research shows that girls educated in girls’ schools have just as much self-confidence as boys, bucking national trends". On some of the further benefits of educating girls at single-sex schools, Ms Gandee adds: "Girls’ schools can play a vital role in developing resilient young women who are ready to play a full part in areas where women are still under-represented such as AI, engineering and politics." The letter can be found a quarter of the way down the page.
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Government guidance for schools will include 'presumption against transitioning'
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Gender identity
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Government guidance is expected to state that teachers and pupils will not be obliged to address children who wish to change their gender identity by their chosen pronoun. The new guidance will advise schools that pupils can socially transition with the consent of their parents, meaning they can choose another name or pronoun and wear the uniform of the opposite sex. By Steven Swinford and Aubrey Allegretti, The Times.
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Every child in Britain could have a robot for a personal tutor, prime minister says
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Artificial intelligence (AI)
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Every child could have a robot for a personal tutor in the future under plans to make the use of artificial intelligence (AI) widespread across schools in Britain, according to Rishi Sunak. Addressing a global investment summit yesterday, the prime minister said AI could deliver the “holy grail” of education policy and has the potential to “transform outcomes” for millions of pupils by giving extra lessons to those most in need. By Nick Gutteridge, The Telegraph.
A government report seen by the BBC has revealed that teachers are using AI to save time by "automating tasks". Making handouts and writing emails to parents have been cited as popular uses, with a "small number" saying they used it for grading and feedback. By Hazel Shearing.
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300% rise in teacher training applicants from abroad
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Recruitment and retention
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The number of international candidates applying to initial teacher training (ITT) providers has risen by more than 300 per cent year-on-year, according to data published by the Department for Education (DfE). The figures, which cover countries outside the European Economic Area, come at a time of significant teacher shortages, with many school leaders warning they cannot fill the rising number of vacancies. By Matilda Martin, Tes.
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School staff in Scotland accept pay offer and call off dispute
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Strike action
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School staff in Scotland have accepted a pay offer that sees an end to a long-running pay dispute with council leaders. Unison members in schools and nurseries had been been involved in industrial action since September but have agreed a deal that sets a timetable for staff to be paid a minimum of £15 per hour by 2026, with payments backdated to April 2023. BBC News.
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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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