ISC Daily News Summary

ISC Daily News Summary 16 July 2020

Coronavirus: Ofqual urged to show leniency towards GCSE and A-level pupils

General education

Sir Jon Coles, chief executive of the United Learning group of schools, writes in The Times urging Ofqual to build leniency into this year's model and asks it not to discard teacher assessments. Tes reports the exams regulator has not committed to publishing the standardisation model it is using to moderate school-assessed GCSE and A-level grades before August's results days. By Catherine Lough.

A survey by the charity Parentkind has found nearly three quarters of parents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland would like the right to choose whether their child returns to school between now and December 2020. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Researchers believe fears over the UK's death toll from the Covid-19 pandemic are putting off Chinese students from coming to study, By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

The Standards and Testing Agency plans to ask schools to administer a phonics screening check for Year 2 pupils in the autumn, after the coronavirus outbreak disrupted the June test. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Crispin Chatterton, director of education at GL Assessment, writes in Tes offering suggestions as to how teachers can best support pupils when they return to school.

The Out of School Alliance has warned that many after school clubs have struggled to reopen due to restrictions designed to limit the spread of coronavirus. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

The Telegraph reports that Boris Johnson has ordered a major review of early years care in order to help improve the life chances of babies and toddlers in poorer families. By Christopher Hope.

The Guardian speaks to some of this year's school leavers to find out how their plans have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. By Sirin Kale.

Tes is asking teachers and other UK school staff to take part in a survey to find out what they think and what they need to ensure their personal safety and that of their pupils in school.


Exam board of UK's royal schools of music urged to include more black composers on syllabuses

General education

An online petition has been launched calling for the exam board of Britain’s royal schools of music to include “black composers who have shaped the course of western classical music”. By David Batty, The Guardian.


Student survey shows drop in satisfaction with university

Higher education

The results of the National Student Survey have revealed student satisfaction with university has dropped slightly. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Guardian reports on comments from the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, who has said English higher education is not necessarily the ‘best route’ to achieve success. By Sally Weale.


Survey reveals heads are losing sleep due to work pressure

Mental health

A new report from the NAHT has found more than four out of five school leaders feel the pressure of their job is affecting their sleep. By John Roberts, Tes.


Government data points to 7% rise in secondary pupil numbers by 2026

General education

New government data shows there will be a rise in secondary pupil numbers by 2026 but a fall in the nursery and primary population. By Catherine Lough, Tes.


'Here's how to create the perfect headteacher CV'

And finally

Ruth Golding, head of school at Tor Bridge High in Plymouth, writes in Tes offering tips about how to build the perfect headteacher CV.


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