ISC Daily News Summary

The Guardian reports thousands of headteachers across England are calling for fewer exams and a reduction in curriculum content next year to allow teachers to focus on student wellbeing. By Sally Weale.

According to a survey of 13,500 parents, 26 per cent of respondents do not intend to send their children back to school in September. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. An article in The Telegraph features insights from some parents who plan to home-school their children this autumn. By Katie Russell.

BBC News reports the campaign group Sept for Schools is urging the Government to provide "a clear, comprehensive and workable plan to make sure our children return safely to school in September". The group has warned home learning during the pandemic is taking a toll on many parents and children. By Katherine Sellgren.

The latest attendance figures from the Department for Education show the number of pupils back in school is continuing to rise, though the proportion of settings reopening to key year groups has remained roughly the same since 22 June. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Schools Week reports Pearson is considering redeploying its examiners as tutors to support the Government's catch-up operation. By Samantha Booth.

Christian Wakeford, Conservative MP for Bury South, has called for an investigation into why some children have completed "barely any school work" during lockdown. Tes.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, has warned thousands of recently qualified teachers in Scotland are struggling to find permanent or secure posts due to the coronavirus. By Emma Seith, Tes.

Tes reports hundreds of International Baccalaureate (IB) students are calling for refunds and remarks after receiving grades lower than expected. By Catherine Lough.

David Preston, head of Arnold Lodge School, argues pupil wellbeing should be prioritised over 'academic recovery' when schools reopen in September.

According to Ofqual's latest annual report, there were 68 security breaches involving GCSE and A-level papers last year, along with 71 errors in assessment materials and exams. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

The Times reports headteachers and academics have launched a campaign to encourage more young people to take up language learning, warning the nation's 'poor' foreign language skills are detrimental to the economy. By Rosemary Bennett.

Ric Lewis, founder of the Black Heart Foundation, has launched a £1 million fundraising campaign to support 100 disadvantaged teenagers with their education. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.