ISC Daily News Summary

Simon Lebus, Ofqual's chief regulator, has acknowledged teachers face a "heavier responsibility" this year, under proposals for alternative exam arrangements. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week. A separate article in Schools Week explores potential issues with the plan for 2021 assessments, as highlighted by members of the education sector. By Samantha Booth.

The Independent reports teachers have expressed concerns over the Government's proposal for mini exams. By Zoe Tidman.

Exam boards have been criticised for increasing fees despite the cancellation of this year's exams, with Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, describing the move as "ridiculous". By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The Telegraph reports students in the 2020 cohort who opted to sit exams this year have been "forgotten" by the Government. By Joy Persaud.

According to research by Oxford University and Public Health England, rapid-turnaround COVID-19 tests can catch nine out of 10 infectious cases, suggesting they could be used to reopen schools and workplaces. By Henry Bodkin, The Telegraph.

Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, has called on the Government to roll out regular COVID-19 testing to all early years providers "as a matter of absolute urgency". By Daniel Hewitt, ITV News.

Some school leaders have asked the Government to give schools the freedom to decide how to reopen, once lockdown restrictions ease. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Emily Duncan, the COO of the Centre for Policy Studies, writes in The Times urging the Government to trust headteachers to "identify what the pupils in their community most need" during the pandemic.

Qais Hussain, a student and Labour activist, writes in The Times urging the Government to reopen schools "if not for the sake of young people's education, then for the sake of their mental health and sanity".

John Swinney, Scotland's education secretary, has said parents in Scotland may be given less than two weeks' notice before their children return to school or nursery. By Chris Green, iNews.

According to The Times, independent schools in Scotland are drafting contingency plans to continue remote learning until April. By Mark McLaughlin. The article quotes John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, and several heads of schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council's constituent associations.

Mr Swinney has refused to commit to prioritising teachers for the vaccine, instead saying the Scottish Government would seek "further advice" on the matter from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

Tes reports hundreds more independent schools are on track to leave the Teachers' Pension Scheme due to the financial pressures caused by Brexit and the pandemic. By Catherine Lough. The article quotes David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools' Bursars Association.

BBC News reports some of the laptops provided by the Government to support home learning contain malware. By Jane Wakefield.

The Telegraph reports the university term could be pushed back to October and A-level results day brought forward to July, under a proposed post-qualification admissions system. By Camilla Turner.

David Goodhew, headmaster of Latymer Upper School and chair of the London Fee Assistance Consortium, outlines the financial support available to families looking to enrol their children in independent schools. Talk Education.

The Government has been urged to ensure all schools enrol on a scheme which entitles girls and young women to free period products, amid concerns the pandemic is exacerbating period poverty. By Maya Oppenheim, The Independent.