ISC Daily News Summary

A report from the Education Policy Institute has concluded that poor education decisions made by the UK nations during lockdown negatively impacted disadvantaged children. By Will Hazell, iNews.

New findings from the National Association of Head Teachers reveal the financial impact COVID safety measures have had on schools. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

A study by the Institute of Public Policy Research has found fewer than half of state schools in England offer mental health support for pupils on site, amid concerns about the impact of lockdown on children's wellbeing. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News.

According to The Guardian, just 150 of the 1,000 academic mentors enlisted to help children catch up on their education will be in England's schools by the end of the year. By Sally Weale.

A group of centrist Conservative MPs has published a paper arguing the coronavirus disruption provides an opportunity for a "radical" rethink of England's education system. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Simon Hyde, chair of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, has written a letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson urging him to reconsider the decision to resume schools inspections from January. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

An article in BBC News reports some teachers are being told not to use the NHS COVID-19 app in school. By Rory Cellan-Jones.

The Independent explores the challenges some headteachers are facing as they try to keep schools open for pupils during the pandemic. By Zoe Tidman.

Emily Gunton - director of music, head of co-curricular and outreach and school consultant teacher at Blackheath High School GDST - writes in Tes arguing teachers need a two-week half-term, amid reports of an October "circuit breaker" lockdown.

Jamie Johnston, athletic director at ACS Egham International School, reflects on the impact coronavirus has had on school sports, arguing "this is the moment to realign our extra-curricular offering, putting students well and truly at the centre of the programme". The Telegraph.

Liz Free, director of International School Rheintal in Switzerland, offers advice for teachers on how to embrace remote CPD. Tes. The article mentions the Council of British International Schools.

The Times reports the SNP administration is facing criticism for cancelling next year's National 5 exams, with some warning the move could negatively impact disadvantaged pupils the most. By Mike Wade.

Sir Michael Wilshaw, former Ofsted chief inspector, has said outstanding schools should work with weaker schools to ensure internal teacher assessments are "robust" in the event of the cancellation of next year's exams. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti has called for an overhaul of music education in schools, adding children can discover "the magic of music" without learning to play an instrument. By David Sanderson, The Times.

Julia Harrington, headmistress of Queen Anne's School, Caversham, writes to The Times about the positive impact music education has had on pupils at the school. The letter can be found three quarters of the way down the page.