ISC Daily News Summary

Briony Scott, principal of a girls’ school in Sydney and a director of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia, says independent schools are key to fostering independent thinking and must "seize the opportunity to recreate education in its original, Platonic simplicity". Tes.

The essay can be found in The State of Independence: Key Challenges Facing Private Schools Today, which is edited by Jane Lunnon and David James.

Schools are concerned about the rise in teenage vaping, following an announcement that the world’s leading vaping brand is planning a UK expansion. By Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times. The article quotes Shaun Fenton, chairman of the Headmasters and Headmistresses’ Conference.

The Telegraph reports health officials are being accused of "turning a blind eye" to the risks of teenage vaping. By Henry Bodkin.

Research by YouGov has found one in seven teenagers have taken drugs to boost their performance in their GCSE exams. By Charles Hymas and Mike Wright, The Telegraph.

Charities are helping schools with limited budgets to plug the gap in science facilities by replacing worn out laboratory equipment. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

According to Barnaby Lenon, a former independent school head, boys should have started their A-level exam revision during the Easter holidays or they risk losing a university place to more "diligent" girls. By Eleanor Harding, Daily Mail.

Watch the ISC chairman discuss his top two revision tips to help students prepare for their exams.

Research by the NASUWT teaching union has found many teachers are receiving constant emails from “aggressive” parents, at all hours of the day and night. By Joanna Whitehead, iNews.

Damian Hinds MP, education secretary, writes a comment piece in The Telegraph outlining why scrapping SATs exams would put children's progress and futures at risk.

The Times includes a letter from a number of education experts who argue that scrapping SATs "without any idea of a replacement could lead to lower standards and greater inequality". Letter just below halfway.

A snap survey of 156 schools and colleges across Britain has found half of those surveyed are 'not fully compliant' with general data protection regulations (GDPR). By Martin George, Tes.