ISC Daily News Summary

Dame Glenys Stacey, the Ofqual chief executive, has said GCSE and A-level grade boundaries could be lowered in 2021 "to recognise and to compensate for the baleful impact of the pandemic". By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

According to a report from the London School of Economics' Centre for Economic Performance, 74 per cent of parents of school aged children believe next year's exams should be altered to make up for lost learning. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Schools Week reports Ofqual has confirmed exam boards can allow teachers to conduct "one-off assessment opportunities" to test pupils' spoken languages in GCSE modern foreign language subjects next year. By Freddie Whittaker.

According to a poll of almost 7,500 NASUWT members, 46 per cent are concerned the COVID safety measures in their schools are inadequate. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, writes in The Telegraph arguing "we have both a medical and moral imperative to keep children active" during lockdown.

Schools Week reports the Government is yet to pay out almost £50 million claimed by schools to cover "exceptional costs" incurred due to the pandemic. By James Carr.

An article in Schools Week reports Ofsted inspections could return in January 2021 without grades being issued to schools. By James Carr.

Tes reports MPs have been told that a number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students are dropping out of GCSE subjects "because they don't see themselves, or they see themselves reflected so negatively in the curriculum".

Dominique Dalais, head of physical and health education, and racial equity facilitator at ACS Egham International School, writes in Tes advocating BAME equity in schools, adding "international schools can play their part in this push for system-level change".

Melvyn Roffe, principal of George Watson's College in Edinburgh, writes in Tes advocating the end of the 'hard stop' between primary and secondary education.

The Times offers a guide to some of the best value areas in England with top performing primary and secondary schools. By Melissa York. The article mentions several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

According to a global study led by Imperial College London, British teenagers are no longer growing as tall as those in some European countries due to poor diet. By Katie Gibbons, The Times.