ISC Daily News Summary

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on prime minister Boris Johnson to introduce a circuit breaker lockdown during the October half-term, warning that without it the country could "sleepwalk into a long and bleak winter". By Chris Smyth and Francis Elliott, The Times.

New papers from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies show scientists told ministers last month that the reopening of schools "has only just begun" to affect the increase in coronavirus cases. The documents also reveal experts recommended a circuit breaker lockdown to reverse the rising infection rate. By John Roberts, Tes.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has criticised the Government's decision to implement a tier system for local lockdown restrictions "without any reference to the tier system it previously announced for schools". By John Roberts, Tes.

The latest figures from the Department for Education show 21 per cent of secondary schools in England are no longer fully open. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

An article in BBC News reports schools may no longer be covered by insurance for trips cancelled because of coronavirus, as the Association of British Insurers website now advises schools to "seek a refund from the venue". By Judith Burns.

According to The Times, parents in Scotland are being advised to send their children to school with warm clothing, as schools keep windows open to improve ventilation and reduce the spread of the virus. By Helen Puttick.

BBC News reports schools in Northern Ireland will shut from Monday until 2 November, when their closure will be reviewed.

Dame Glenys Stacey, Ofqual's interim chief regulator, has said the exams watchdog is considering giving students a "greater optionality" in next year's GCSEs and A-levels. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Academics have told MPs on the Education Select Committee that a "narrow, elitist, exclusive curriculum" could be partly responsible for the underachievement of white working class pupils. By Katherine Sellgren, BBC News.

Priyamvada Gopal, an academic and author, writes in The Guardian arguing the teaching of black history events "would be deemed extremist and even banned" under the Department for Education's guidance for schools.

An article in The Telegraph offers advice for parents on how they can talk to their children about race. By Joy Persaud.

The Telegraph offers advice to parents on how they could grow their investments to fund their child's independent school fees. By Marianna Hunt.