ISC Daily News Summary

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has defended the coronavirus testing system for schools, saying schools are being prioritised and now have the ability to order tests directly from the NHS. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News.

Appearing before the education select committee yesterday, Mr Williamson said children should only get tested if they display symptoms of the virus. By Nicola Woolcock and Chris Smyth, The Times.

The Telegraph reports almost 96 per cent of schools are thought to be struggling to access tests for students and staff. By Camilla Turner.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Governance Association have written to the prime minister urging him to "personally take charge of this situation in the interests of keeping our schools and colleges open". By Will Hazell, iNews. The article quotes Sarah Raffray, headteacher of St Augustine's Priory School.

Geoff Barton, ASCL general secretary, has warned some schools may introduce rota systems due to ongoing issues with the coronavirus testing system. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

According to Schools Week, the Government has launched a national helpline for schools to report positive coronavirus cases to 'free up capacity of Public Health England's local health protection teams'. By John Dickens.

The Guardian reports on survey findings which suggest up to 25,000 teachers in England may already be out of school and self-isolating. By Josh Halliday, Richard Adams, Sally Weale and Mattha Busby.

According to a new report from Education Support, 52 per cent of teachers feel their mental health had declined during the pandemic. By James Carr, Schools Week.

An article in FT Adviser reports a number of independent schools have left the Teachers' Pension Scheme following the coronavirus outbreak. By Amy Austin.

The Telegraph reports the World Bank has warned "an entire generation could be left behind" due to the pandemic. By Jennifer Rigby.

Gavin Williamson has said next year's exams could be sat in public buildings to give schools extra capacity for social distancing. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Speaking in reference to this year's exams, Mr Williamson defended the decision to use calculated grades, but admitted there were "too many inconsistencies" in the results. BBC News.

John Swinney, Scotland's education secretary, has warned there is a "very real risk" that next year's exams could be disrupted by coronavirus. By Chris Green, iNews.

Mr Swinney has said any student who feels they experienced "some form of prejudice, disadvantage or discrimination" in the awarding of their results this year can appeal. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

IE Today features an article on Brentwood School, which is working to raise awareness of the financial support available to families interested in an independent education. By Julian Owen. The article quotes Michael Bond, head of the school, and David Goodhew, chair of the London Fee Assistance Consortium and head of Latymer Upper School.

The National Cyber Security Centre has issued an alert to schools advising them how to protect themselves from cyber criminals, following a rise in cyber attacks on schools throughout August. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

Andrew Lewer, Conservative MP for Northampton South, writes in The Times arguing school uniforms have a positive effect on pupils and are "far cheaper" than some claim.