ISC Daily News Summary

New guidance published by the Government states pupils and teachers in all of England's secondary schools and colleges will have to wear face masks in corridors and communal areas. BBC News. The guidelines also advise "extremely clinically vulnerable" teachers to work from home during the lockdown. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

The Guardian reports on the reaction among education unions to the Government's updated guidance for schools. By Ben Quinn.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has claimed leaders of the National Education Union 'appear content to put the progress of pupils on hold, by calling for us to close schools'. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. Mr Williamson's commentary piece in the paper can be read in full.

According to Schools Week, the Government has indicated that it intends to extend the National Tutoring Programme beyond this year. By Samantha Booth.

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC, has described the financial impact of the pandemic on independent schools, adding he believes there will be more mergers in the future. By John Roberts, Tes.

An article in The Telegraph explores the reasoning behind calls to allow children to continue engaging in outdoor sports during lockdown. By Anne Gulland and Jennifer Rigby.

iNews reports Morrisons is working with schools to deliver food for pupils eligible for free school meals, who are having to self-isolate at home. By Will Hazell.

Hilary Gyebi-Ababio, National Union of Students vice president for higher education, has said there could be a "mass exodus" of students travelling home to their families as lockdown measures come into force. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News.

According to iNews, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education is consulting on changes which could allow students to bring mass claims for compensation because of the pandemic. By Will Hazell.

iNews reports freedom of information requests have revealed several universities are spending millions of pounds to make their campuses COVID-secure. By Will Hazell.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has defended the decision to keep Scotland's schools open, warning of the impact of disruption to education on the lives of young people. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

Tes reports the exams regulator has said it is working with the Department for Education "on a range of options for different scenarios", as part of efforts to make next year's exams "less daunting" for pupils. By Catherine Lough.

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC and former Ofqual board member, has said he believes next year's GCSE and A-level exams could be replaced with centre assessment grades in the event of a "third wave" of coronavirus. By John Roberts, Tes.

Helen Pike, master of Magdalen College School (MCS), reflects on how MCS partnerships project Rose Hill Community Larder has become a lifeline to families during the school holidays, and offers advice to the sector on setting up similar programmes.