ISC Daily News Summary

Neil Sheldon, who sits on an expert advisory group convened by Ofqual to oversee exam arrangements during the pandemic, has responded to the Government's announcement about next year's exams, saying: "Just bumping everyone up by half a grade doesn’t achieve anything, it doesn’t do anything for relative disadvantage." By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The Times has published its view on school exams and coronavirus, supporting the education secretary's decision to insist that GCSEs and A-levels take place next summer. The newspaper has also published its view on Scottish education policy, questioning the SNP’s handling of education during the pandemic.

Tes features a commentary by Zoe Crockford, an art teacher at a secondary school in Bournemouth, in which she reveals what she would say to Gavin Williamson about his exams announcement if he were a Year 9 pupil.

Following the Government's confirmation that GCSEs and A-levels will go ahead in England with “more generous grading”, Nicola Sturgeon has said there is now “a strong argument” for an earlier-than-planned announcement on exam arrangements in Scotland. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is seeking urgent clarification from the DfE over whether the overhaul to the 2021 GCSE and A-level exams will apply to the British international schools’ sector as well. By Dan Worth, Tes.

Responding to a question in the House of Commons about whether education will be put "at the top of the priority list for vaccination", education secretary Gavin Williamson said: "It’s certainly something we’re looking at, how we can prioritise that, as teachers and support staff play such an important role in our national endeavour." By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Government has been accused of misleading school leaders over its funding for the National Tutoring Programme after admitting the £350 million pot is for two years, not one. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Analysis by the National Foundation for Educational Research has found one in four schools may not be able to meet COVID-related costs despite increased funding from the Government. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

BBC News offers five tips for university students to get better at learning online. By Hazel Shearing.

The Times reports that teacher training targets have been met for the first time in eight years. By Emma Yeomans.

Ranjitsinh Disale, a teacher from a village school in India, has won this year's Global Teacher Prize - and given away half of the £750,000 prize by sharing it with runners-up in the competition. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.