ISC Daily News Summary

A report from Beijing-based consultancy Venture Education has predicted the next few years to be positive for UK independent schools and investors, with 16 new campuses expected to open in China in 2020. By Callan Quinn, Pie News. The article quotes Sean Davey, head of international business development at Reigate Grammar School, Shelley Zhao, director of Harrow Beijing, and mentions several other schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

Reverend Nigel Little, the chaplain of Felsted School, counters the view that “independent school students don’t understand the challenges some people face in life”.

According to research published by the Higher Education Policy Institute, grammar school pupils' chances of getting into a top university are comparable to those of comprehensive school pupils. By Rosemary Bennett, The Times.

Neil Roskilly, chief executive officer of the Independent Schools Association, writes in The Times arguing faith schools are "thriving" in the independent sector, adding "the education secretary must ensure that disadvantaged families are guaranteed equal access to schools of all faiths". The letter can be found a quarter of the way down the page.

Jon Tyler, deputy head (academic) at Dauntsey's School, reflects on research findings which suggest the key to effective learning is "desirable difficulty". Tes.

Martin Stephen, a former independent school high master, writes in The Telegraph discussing school league tables, arguing "it matters what pupils are taught - but it matters just as much, if not more, how well it is taught".

Fiona Robertson, the chief executive of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), told MSPs she had no reason to believe charges for failed exam appeals are "acting as a disincentive" for state school pupils. By Jamie McIvor, BBC News.