ISC Daily News Summary

According to figures from the Department for Education, the number of schools fully closed during the pandemic has more than doubled in a week, due to an increase in staff shortages. By Dave Speck, Tes.

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has called for "urgent" action to identify children who may be at risk during the pandemic. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News. In an interview with The Independent, Ms Spielman also warned there is "a generation of poor children who will never recover from the blow of the pandemic". By May Bulman.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has said it "wouldn't be helpful or reasonable" for Ofsted to use its existing framework once full inspections resume, as school leaders will still be focused on overcoming the operational challenges brought on by the pandemic. By John Roberts, Tes. Amanda Spielman has said she does not expect Ofsted to return to graded inspections in January. By Amy Gibbons and John Roberts, Tes.

iNews reports Labour has said the return of students to universities in January should be staggered to prevent further coronavirus outbreaks. By Will Hazell.

According to BBC News, mass testing is taking place at all 19 of Scotland's universities as part of efforts to reduce COVID-19 infection rates before Christmas.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce plans to provide a £100 direct payment to all families with children in receipt of free school meals. By Conor Matchett, The Scotsman.

A study compiled by exam board Pearson and The Centre for Education and Youth think tank has identified some of the main factors influencing teachers to create innovative alternatives to the "status quo" of assessment. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.