ISC Daily News Summary

The NAHT has raised concerns about the pressure school leaders are under because they have "become an integral part of the test and trace system". By Grainne Hallahan, Tes.

A report produced by the Incorporated Society of Musicians claims there is a "genuine cause for alarm" over the impact of coronavirus on music provision in schools. By Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian.

The Telegraph reports on the different ways in which schools are staging Christmas shows this year. By Claire Allfree. The article quotes Jason McAuley, director of music at Kilgraston School, and Lizzie Davey, Year 1 head at Dulwich Prep Cranbrook.

Maire O'Regan, executive headteacher of Roxwell C of E Primary School, in Essex, writes in Tes explaining why she thinks every school leader should give their teachers "a duvet day between now and Christmas".

Alan Gillespie, principal teacher of English at Fernhill School in Glasgow, warns against allowing the coronavirus pandemic to spell the end of snow days. Tes.

James Dahl, master at Wellington College, writes in The Telegraph (letter found a third of the way down the page) and The Times (letter found near the top of the page) welcoming support for exam students next year, but warning: "It would be self-defeating if grade inflation were to lead to those exams not being worth the paper they are printed on."

The Times reports on Portland Place School in central London, which is offering reduced fees to pupils enrolling on its new hybrid learning programme. By Nicola Woolcock.

Fiona Miller writes in The Guardian suggesting it is now time to look at a new system to replace "fundamentally broken" GCSEs.

Richard Russell, headmaster at Colfe’s School, writes in The Times in support of a new approach to the current examination system, "which has not changed in living memory and is increasingly remote from the way that we all live and work". The letter can be found near the top of the page.

Magnus Bashaarat, head of Bedales School, writes in The Telegraph about the latest efforts to prompt reform to the ways in which university places are offered, saying: "The case for change is overwhelming."

Benedict King writes in The Times saying: "All schools should be pushed towards going mixed without exceptions."

Figures collated from published council documents for the website Special Needs Jungle have revealed the scale of the funding crisis affecting the country's special education needs and disabilities (SEND) system. By Chaminda Jayanetti, The Observer.

Dr Joe Spence, master at Dulwich College, writes in The Times in support of SCITT schemes for maths, physics and languages, which he says are tackling the shortage of teachers. The letter can be found halfway down the page.