ISC Daily News Summary

Colin Hughes, chief executive of the AQA exam board, has said schools in areas hardest hit by coronavirus could be given some kind of "special consideration" for exams. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Lord Kenneth Baker, a former education secretary who created GCSEs, has said the exams should be replaced with "some form of moderated assessment" next year. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Jane Prescott, president of the Girls' Schools Association and headmistress of Portsmouth High School GDST, has said students could achieve better grades if their GCSE exams are replaced with school-based assessments in 2021. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Jules White, chair of Worth Less? and headteacher of Tanbridge House School, writes in The Telegraph calling on the Department for Education to listen to headteachers and make "informed, pragmatic decisions" about next year's exams.

Dr Millan Sachania, headmaster of Streatham & Clapham High School GDST, writes to The Times arguing the return of AS-level exams would "rob pupils of a valuable interlude between GCSEs and A-levels when they are liberated from exam stress and can enjoy life". The letter can be found halfway down the page.

According to a report published by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), there have been more than 1,000 coronavirus outbreaks in educational settings since September, and secondary pupils have played a "significantly higher role" in transmitting the virus between households. By George Martin, iNews.

A new report from the Onward think tank has recommended cutting school summer holidays by two weeks to provide additional teaching time for disadvantaged children. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Tyrone Howe, a former rugby player and headmaster of Shiplake College, explains how the school is continuing to run COVID-secure sports activities during lockdown. By Gavin Mairs.

According to research commissioned by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, 33 per cent of children have been bullied during the pandemic. Tes.

A survey by the Teacher Tapp app has found around half of schools will not have a nativity play this year due to the pandemic. By Ben Quinn, The Guardian. The article quotes Emma Goligher, who works in the marketing and admissions team at Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School.

BBC News reports universities in England will be expected to award places to students once they know their grades. Education secretary Gavin Williamson has claimed the current system, based on predicted grades, "breeds low aspiration and unfairness". By Branwen Jeffreys.

Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, writes in The Telegraph arguing the move to a post-qualification application system "would make university admissions fairer and clearer for all".

The Sunday Times reports the OCR exam board has drafted the proposed syllabus for a natural history GCSE, designed to encourage pupils to learn more about the environment and endangered wildlife and plants. By Sian Griffiths.

The Telegraph offers advice to parents who are looking to engage their children in the game of chess. By Simon Usborne. The article mentions a number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

The Times interviews Paul Davies, a former dog handler and firearms officer who has taken on the role of matron at St Edward's School in Oxford. By Nicola Woolcock.