ISC Daily News Summary

A new report based on a snapshot of 16 October shows 710 teachers tested positive for coronavirus in the North West, making up 35 per cent of the total number of confirmed cases among teachers across England that day. By Branwen Jeffreys, BBC News.

Tes reports the Government has restored a line to its coronavirus guidance stating that schools are not considered "high-risk settings". By Amy Gibbons.

Dr Simon Hyde, general secretary of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, has called on the Government to ensure all children have access to a laptop, arguing "this is an important tool to aid learning, a basic requirement". By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Matthew Pearce, rector (headteacher) of The Glasgow Academy, writes in Tes arguing "there has never been such an important time to make pastoral care a focus".

Boris Johnson has defended his refusal to extend free school meals provision over the October half-term, adding the Government will 'do everything in our power to make sure that no child goes hungry'. BBC News. According to The Telegraph, Boris Johnson is considering giving councils extra funding for holiday clubs in an effort to end the free school meals row. By Harry Yorke and Gordon Rayner.

An article in iNews reports councils have said hardship funding allocated to local authorities has already been spent, forcing some to use their own "stressed" budgets to fund free school meals over half-term and the Christmas holiday. By Will Hazell.

According to The Guardian, Treasury sources have said education secretary Gavin Williamson never asked for extra funding to extend free school meals provision over the half-term break. By Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker.

Labour shadow youth justice secretary Peter Kyle has warned county lines drug gangs are targeting vulnerable children at the school gate. By Max Stephens, The Telegraph.