ISC Daily News Summary

The Independent reports union leaders have warned "time is running out" to organise next year's GCSE and A-level exams. By Zoe Tidman.

An article in Tes reports some union leaders are concerned the Government is not "doing enough" to plan contingency measures for next year's exams. By Dave Speck.

Five education organisations have written to schools minister Nick Gibb arguing next year's exams should allow for a level of grade inflation "somewhere between what was seen in 2019 and 2020". By James Carr, Schools Week. The groups have also called on the Government to prioritise students due to take exams next year for coronavirus testing, to "reduce ongoing disruption to exam classes' learning". By Will Hazell, iNews.

According to The Telegraph, ministers are considering cutting down the curriculum of GCSEs and A-levels to allow for more teaching time. By Camilla Turner.

A group of outdoor education providers has written to the prime minister warning "any decision to prevent residential trips for the rest of the academic year, without support, will permanently close the whole sector". By Judith Burns, BBC News.

Emma Robertson, co-founder of the online safety organisation Digital Awareness UK, has said young people have quickly become "professional scam spotters" during lockdown, helping their parents to spot coronavirus-related fake news. By Will Hazell, iNews. The article mentions the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has said there are no plans to reinstate blended learning in Scotland. By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

Paul Carberry, the Action for Children director for Scotland, writes in The Scotsman arguing "a focus on pupil wellbeing is crucial to the recovery from lockdown".

The Telegraph outlines seven ways parents can keep their children active and happy during the pandemic this winter. By Joel Snape.

Speaking at the virtual Conservative party conference, education secretary Gavin Williamson described political impartiality in schools as "an incredibly important principle to uphold". His comments follow the recent publication of relationships, sex and health education guidance for schools, which instructed teachers not to use resources from organisations with an "extreme political stance". By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

The Times reports far-right extremist groups are hosting livestreaming events on YouTube, drawing in children as young as 12. By Tom Knowles and Fiona Hamilton.