ISC Daily News Summary

The Observer reports some schools are considering increasing their class sizes to up to 60 pupils as increasing numbers of teachers are forced to self-isolate. By Donna Ferguson.

Steve Chalke, founder of the academy chain Oasis Trust, has called on the Government to treble pupil premium funding to support the education of disadvantaged children hardest hit by the lockdown. By Judith Burns, BBC News.

Keith Topping, a professor of educational and social research at the University of Dundee, writes in The Times reflecting on the results of his research into online learning. He expresses his support for the continuation of blended learning, advocating a "dual-learning system" in schools.

An article in Schools Week reports on concerns that schools have been placed in an "impossibly difficult position", as the Government has said coronavirus tests should be limited to those with "classic symptoms", despite research indicating children are more likely to display other signs. By James Carr.

Professor Russell Viner, of University College London, has warned too many children are being tested for coronavirus due to "unscientific and misplaced concerns about children being infected in schools". By Sarah Boseley, The Guardian.

The Telegraph reports on independent schools that have developed their own coronavirus testing systems. By Luke Mintz. The article quotes Samantha Price, head of Benenden School, Dr Richard Maloney, head of Uppingham School, and Christopher King, chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools.

An article in iNews reports England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford has expressed support for calls to extend the free school meal voucher scheme to cover all holidays. By Laurie Havelock and Will Hazell.

The Prince of Wales writes in The Telegraph arguing the Prince's Trust can make a "crucial difference" to the lives of young people most affected the by the pandemic.

An anonymous headteacher shares a week in their life, reflecting on the experience of reporting the first confirmed coronavirus case in their school. The Guardian.

The Sunday Times reports Eton College and St Paul's Girls' School have joined a coalition of individuals and organisations called Rethinking Assessment, which is pushing for reforms to the "mutant exam system". Read the group's open letter in full.

Three founding members of the Rethinking Assessment group write in Tes outlining three reasons why they support GCSE reform, and three potential alternatives to the qualification. By Bill Lucas, Peter Hyman and Al McConville, director of learning and innovation at Bedales School.

Michael Owen, director of Rugby at Haileybury and former captain of Wales and of the British & Irish Lions, writes to The Times about the decline of the sport during the pandemic. He argues finding a way to bring rugby back to schools and clubs "must be the way forward". The letter can be found halfway down the page.

The Times reports on updated gender identity guidelines for schools. They state "materials which suggest that non-conformity to gender stereotypes should be seen as synonymous with having a different gender identity should not be used". By Jack Malvern.

The Department for Education has issued guidance to schools instructing them not to use resources "produced by organisations that take extreme political stances on matters", including those advocating the abolition of capitalism. By Sam Hall, iNews.

BBC News explores some of the reasons why white boys from low-income families are the "least likely" to pursue higher education. By Sean Coughlan.