ISC Daily News Summary

The NASUWT has written to education secretary Gavin Williamson urging the Government to provide "urgent clarification" over the guidance for schools to enable them to reopen "consistently and safely" in September. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC, has warned a "good proportion of students" may be awarded grades that do not reflect their ability. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. An article in Tes reports 40 per cent of teacher-assessed GCSE grades could change during the moderation process. By Catherine Lough. Dennis Sherwood, who has worked with Ofqual on a study of grade inflation, considers which steps should be taken to ensure this year's GCSE grades are fair. Tes.

iNews reports on new UCAS figures which show the number of people applying to university this year has increased, despite concerns about the impact of the coronavirus on higher education. By Will Hazell.

Speaking in the House of Lords yesterday, Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association, encouraged Baroness Berridge to acknowledge "the ways in which the recovery of our education system is being assisted by independent schools". Baroness Berridge said it had been "a pleasure" speaking with the Boarding Schools' Association and the ISC, adding she hopes "we will continue to share the best of our educational practice so that all pupils can benefit from it". Hansard.

According to a survey of over 3,000 parents and teachers, 31 per cent of primary aged boys are doing less than an hour a day of school work during lockdown, compared to 24 per cent of their female peers. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Ruth Gilbert, group education director at Manor Property Group and honorary fellow at the UCL Institute of Education, argues careers education "must be firmly embedded in the country's recovery plan", as youth employment reaches a record high. Schools Week.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged £101 million in funding for "targeted high value level 2 and 3 courses", designed to support 18 and 19 year olds struggling to find work. By Billy Camden, Schools Week.

The Treasury has also confirmed schools will be able to apply for government grants to make their buildings more energy efficient as part of a new decarbonisation scheme. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

The Times features a spotlight piece on Susan Stanley-Carroll, one of Britain's longest-serving teachers, who is retiring after 56 years. Mrs Stanley-Carroll plans to continue to teach ad hoc lessons at Chiswick and Bedford Park Preparatory School, where she supports pupils preparing for the 11 plus. By Nicola Woolcock.

A study by Sussex University found children who have a positive relationship with their parents made a third more progress in maths than their peers who have more fractious relationships. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.