ISC Daily News Summary

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has said "it would be sensible to have a plan B" if the conditions in September do not allow for the full reopening of schools. By Rosemary Bennett, The Times.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said he wants all pupils to face the front of the classroom when they return to school in September to encourage them to "pay attention to the teacher". By Steven Swinford and Rosemary Bennett, The Times. The article quotes David James, deputy head of Bryanston School.

Mary Curnock-Cook, former chief executive of UCAS, has warned delaying next year's exam series could have a "big knock on effect" on university admissions and could favour "well-informed, affluent, educated middle class families". By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

An article in The Times explores how some struggling independent prep schools have seen a surge in applications amid the pandemic. By Nicola Woolcock. The article quotes Philip Stewart, headmaster of Terra Nova, Grace McCahery, vice-principal of The White House Preparatory School, and Christopher King, chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools. Janita Gray, editor of Boarding Schools at The Good Schools Guide, discusses why more families might consider enrolling their children in boarding schools post-coronavirus. The Telegraph. The article mentions the Boarding Schools' Association.

John Swinney, deputy first minister and education secretary for Scotland, has said parents should not be punished for refusing to send their children back to school in August. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

The Government has confirmed the roll-out of baseline tests for four and five-year-olds will be postponed until September 2021 due to the pandemic. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Schools Week summarises the key findings from the latest guidance on the Government's COVID summer food fund. By Freddie Whittaker.

According to the latest COVID-19 surveillance report from Public Health England, the number of acute respiratory outbreaks in schools rose from 24 to 44 last week. By James Carr, Schools Week.

Schools Week reports Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has asked Rebecca Long-Bailey to "step down" from her role as shadow education secretary, after she shared an article that "contained an antisemitic conspiracy theory". By Freddie Whittaker.

Matt Albrighton, deputy head (academic) at St Edwards' School, argues the International Baccalaureate (IB) "offers far more scope to broaden the national canon of learning" than the traditional national curriculum. Tes.

Georgia Murphy, a secondary school teacher, writes in Tes highlighting how schools can "learn from each other" to help improve staff wellbeing and teacher retention.

Schools Week provides an overview of the key takeaways from the latest school workforce census, published by the Department for Education yesterday. By James Carr.

Robin Hardman, a politics teacher in the independent sector, provides an overview of the responsibilities of housemistresses and housemasters in boarding schools, and offers advice to those interested in taking on the role. Tes.

This week's 'Friday Feature' explores how schools are continuing to spread positivity during the pandemic, from raising money for children facing food insecurity to recording a virtual tribute to NHS workers.