ISC Daily News Summary

The House of Commons education committee has written to education secretary Gavin Williamson urging the Government to treat frontline school staff as a priority group for testing and personal protective equipment (PPE). By Charlotte Santry, Tes. An article in Schools Week reports on updated guidance from the Department for Education, which advises school staff who live with people in the most vulnerable health groups to work from home "where possible". By Freddie Whittaker.

School leaders are seeking clarification over whether schools will be refunded for exam fees following the cancellation of this year's GCSEs and A-levels. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Three design technology teachers from Stamford Endowed Schools (SES) are manufacturing 200 face masks a day as part of the national effort to provide PPE for frontline NHS workers. IE Today. The article quotes Steve Newton, head of design technology, and Will Phelan, principal of SES. An article in Tes reports students in Scotland who play the bagpipes will join in a mass rendition of 'Scotland the Brave' from 8pm tonight to celebrate key workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. By Henry Hepburn. The article mentions Glenalmond College, Strathallan School, and St Columba's School.

Tes reports many independent schools have been left "wrestling with what school fees to charge for the summer term", with some anticipating "painful" financial losses. By Catherine Lough. The article quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, and Andrew Halls, head of King's College School, Wimbledon. The article also references Eton College, Marlborough College, and the Girls' Day School Trust. See Julie Robinson's commentary in full. An article in The Guardian reports a number of independent schools are offering fee freezes, discounts and rebates for meals, transport and extra curricular activities in a bid to keep school places full. By Sally Weale. The article quotes Neil Roskilly, chief executive of the Independent Schools Association, Matthew Adshead, head of the Old Vicarage School, and a spokesperson for Eton College.

The Government has pledged to build on momentum generated by the coronavirus outbreak to encourage more young girls to get active. By Jeremy Wilson, The Telegraph. A separate article in The Telegraph explores the impact of the nationwide lockdown on attitudes to fitness, with personal trainer Joe Wicks calling for morning exercise to become part of the school curriculum. By Molly McElwee.

The Daily Mail reports police will be able to use "reasonable force" on children if they are believed to be "outside of their premises without reasonable excuse". By Rebecca Camber.

Tes explores how headteachers and governors can carry out their recruitment process online. By Simon Lock. A separate article in Tes offers 10 tips on how to welcome new staff members during the lockdown. By Grainne Hallahan.

The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference has appointed Richard Backhouse, the principal of the Berkhamsted Schools Group, as its new chair for 2020-21. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Andrew Bowman, head of politics at New Hall School, writes in IE Today about the importance of bringing politics to young people, arguing independent schools should "lead the way in making the present generation the best politically educated generation ever".