ISC Daily News Summary

The Government has reversed its decision not to fund free school meals (FSM) over the Easter holidays, with former education secretary Michael Gove confirming vouchers will be available over the break "to support household incomes". By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

As part of the latest exams guidance issued by Ofqual, schools and colleges are to award grades to pupils by ranking them in league tables based on their predicted results. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. According to The Telegraph, students who wish to appeal against their A-level results may have to take a gap year if their chosen university is unable to delay the course start date or allow students to join late. By Camilla Turner.

Schools Week reports the National Education Union has warned against video-calling or live-streaming lessons, stating teachers should only do so in "exceptional circumstances" with the parent. By Samantha Booth. The Telegraph features a guide to keeping children safe online, with tips tailored to each age group. By Carolyn Bunting.

The BBC is to launch a series of daily educational TV programmes to keep children learning while schools are closed. The episodes are to run for 14 weeks from 20 April. By Jim Waterson, The Guardian.

Ailsa Lawn, head of junior school at Lomond School, offers advice to parents on how to educate their primary-aged children at home during the lockdown. The Herald.

Bernard Trafford, a former independent school headteacher, writes in Tes saying he hopes "this new-found respect for teachers and schools will persist" once the coronavirus crisis ends.

The Telegraph features a list of artistic activities for children to get involved in over the Easter holidays. By Lucy Davies.

According to a report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, parents and pupils have said they want residential schools to educate children about the threat of child sexual abuse from an early age. Tes. The article quotes Robin Fletcher, chief executive of the Boarding Schools Association.

Charlotte Weatherley, assistant head at Knighton House School, discusses how her school has adapted pupils' learning to fit the changing circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Results from an experiment conducted with sixth formers at Queen Anne's School, Caversham, suggest doodling can improve pupils' power of recall. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. The article quotes Sarah Beales, head of art at Queen Anne's School, and Zoe Campbell, a student at the school.

Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, outlines potential reforms to the education system to level up opportunities for disadvantaged children. The Telegraph.

An article in IE Today explores the growing popularity of wellbeing centres in independent schools, and offers advice on how to create such spaces. By Jo Golding. The article quotes Ben Evans, head of Edge Grove School, and Irfan Latif, principal of DLD College London.