ISC Daily News Summary

ISC Daily News Summary 10 November 2020

Exams 2021: Teachers could be asked to 'choose which papers their students take' next year

Examinations

According to iNews, teachers in England may be asked to 'discount whole components' of each subject next year to make exams more manageable for their students. By Will Hazell.

BBC News reports GCSE, AS and A-level exams in Wales next year are to be cancelled, with grades awarded based on pupil performance in classroom assessments.


Coronavirus: Teachers should be prioritised for a COVID-19 vaccine, say union leaders

General education

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, and Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, have said teachers and school staff should be among those prioritised for a COVID-19 vaccine if and when it arrives. By John Roberts, Tes.

Richard Cairns, headmaster of Brighton College, writes to The Times arguing pupils sitting exams next summer and their teachers should be prioritised for a vaccine. The article can be found a quarter of the way down the page.

BBC News reports a week of mass coronavirus testing for university students could take place on 30 November, to enable them to travel home safely for Christmas. By Sean Coughlan.

A national review conducted by Ofsted has revealed a number of young children are regressing in basic learning and social skills as a result of school and nursery closures. By Katie Gibbons, The Times.

The Telegraph reports the Youth Sport Trust is launching a free online 'After School Sport Club' this week, to help keep children active during lockdown. By Ben Rumsby.

An article in The Telegraph explores the challenges schools face as they work to maintain the continuity of education during the pandemic. By Sarah Rodrigues.


University applications: 'Working with the devolved nations will be essential to admissions reform'

Higher education

John Cope, the director of strategy, policy and public affairs at UCAS, has warned an overhaul of the university admissions system could create a "devolution divide" unless an agreement is reached with the devolved nations. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

Schools Week reports the Association of School and College Leaders has backed the proposal to replace the current admissions system with a post-qualification model. By Samantha Booth.

Jaideep Barot, headmaster of Bristol Grammar School, and Louise Simpson, head of Exeter School, each write to The Times in support of UCAS's proposal to switch to post-qualification applications.


'It is vital that T-levels are implemented carefully'

Further education

Bob Harrison, who has spent more than 40 years working in further, vocational and adult education, writes in The Telegraph arguing T-levels should be 'phased in' to the education system, adding "more time is needed to build trust and confidence in what the qualification stands for".


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