ISC Daily News Summary

Ofqual is seeking views on its plans to release information on next year's exam topics in advance, as part of a 10-day consultation launched yesterday. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

Cambridge International, a provider of IGCSE and International AS and A-level exams, has outlined a "package of options" intended to recognise the disruption faced by students in international schools. By Dan Worth, Tes.

Health secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed mass coronavirus testing will be rolled out to secondary school children in areas of London, Kent and Essex with rising infection rates. BBC News. Following the announcement, some school leaders have questioned why northern coronavirus hotspots were not offered the same access to rapid testing. By John Roberts, Tes.

An article in The Telegraph explores some of the potential reasons why secondary schools are now a key driver of COVID-19 transmission. By Anne Gulland.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, writes in Tes describing the Government's decision to allow schools to schedule an inset day for Friday 18 December as "ham-fisted, tone-deaf and generally demeaning".

All secondary schools in Wales have been told to move to online learning from Monday as part of efforts to reduce infection rates. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute of Scotland, has written to first minister Nicola Sturgeon warning current coronavirus measures "are not keeping staff or pupils safe enough". Tes.

New survey findings suggest nine in 10 teachers have an increased workload due to the pandemic. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

In an interview with Schools Week, Matt Hood, principal of the online Oak National Academy, has said he "didn't expect it to go as big or as far as it's gone", as poll findings suggest 46 per cent of teachers have used the platform. By Freddie Whittaker.

The Department for Education has said it will restore laptop allocations for disadvantaged pupils to "original levels", after provision was reduced to ensure stocks lasted longer. By James Carr, Schools Week.

Universities UK has called on the Government to provide more funding for university support services, amid concerns about the impact of the pandemic on students' mental health. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

Simon Lebus, who served as the group chief executive at Cambridge Assessment, is set to replace Dame Glenys Stacey as the chief regulator at Ofqual, once her interim period comes to an end on 31 December. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The Telegraph reports an education resource created by the government quango Education Scotland remained available for over a year, despite repeated warnings that it promoted an inaccurate "grievance history" of the nation's past. By Daniel Sanderson.