ISC Daily News Summary

David James, deputy head (academic) at Bryanston School in Dorset, writes for Tes arguing that the independent sector is more diverse than many people realise - and that attacking it does not help anyone.

Gordonstoun's extra-curricular activities have had a positive impact on pupils, according to research from the University of Edinburgh. By Daniel Sanderson, The Times. Article quotes Lisa Kerr, Gordonstoun’s principal. The Times also features a case study of one of the school's extra-curricular events - a three-day hike into the Scottish wilderness.

The senior vice principal of Royal Holloway, University of London, has claimed that some schools are not doing enough to inform pupils about universities which are not part of the Russell Group. By Camilla Turner and Elizabeth Ivens, The Telegraph. Article references data from the annual ISC Census. Also reported by The Times.

The University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford are to reveal the number of state school acceptances in the 2017 admission cycle, amid calls for the institutions to offer places to more black, minority ethnic and state school pupils. By Sian Griffiths, The Times.

iNews looks at whether an old boys' network exists for independent school pupils, following up on comments made by Justine Greening about 'contextual recruitment' and how it could help social mobility. By Richard Vaughan. Article quotes Barnaby Lenon, ISC chairman.

Tes provides a summary of the speech Damian Hinds made at the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) conference on Friday 4 May, along with a round-up of last week's education news. By Martin George.

Government figures show nearly a third of headteachers are leaving within their first five years in the job. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent. Also reported by The Telegraph.

The Times reports on the increase in the number of young people taking Xanax, including instances of pupils buying pills on school premises. By Nicola Woolcock.