ISC Daily News Summary

Richard Sheriff, president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and chief executive of Red Kite Learning Trust, has said teachers are finding it "difficult to gauge the mood of a class" while pupils wear masks. He added that his "biggest concern" is whether the return of students could lead to an increase in social mixing outside of school. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Remote monitoring inspections carried out by Ofsted have found that all schools are taking "effective action" to educate pupils during the pandemic. By James Carr, Schools Week.

According to a poll commissioned by the Youth Sport Trust, 64 per cent of parents believe pupil wellbeing should be prioritised over academic achievement. By Dave Speck, Tes.

A new study into the wellbeing of British children is to be conducted across Manchester's schools this autumn, as part of efforts to help young people recover from the effects of the pandemic. By Paul MacInnes, The Guardian.

Gavin Taylor, deputy head and pastoral lead at Lockers Park School, writes in Independent Schools Magazine highlighting how the school has introduced new systems to support children's mental health during the pandemic. A separate article written by Ben Evans, headmaster at Windlesham House School, explores whether schools have a duty to improve pupils' financial literacy as they emerge from the pandemic.

Geoff Barton, ASCL's general secretary, has said proposals to reconfigure the academic year are "legitimate", saying school terms were "built on an agrarian calendar and work patterns that now don't apply". By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the web, has said the pandemic has widened the digital divide. By Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC News.

The BBC has announced plans to continue providing educational support to teachers and pupils into the summer months.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has been urged to reopen outdoor education and allow residential school trips to resume in the summer term. By Anna Bawden, The Guardian.

Tes reports some umbrella companies have been reported to the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association for "misleading supply teachers in order to take advantage of the coronavirus business support schemes introduced by the Government". By Dave Speck.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the next stage of reopening schools in Scotland will go ahead as planned from Monday. By Emma Seith, Tes.

Richard Sheriff, president of ASCL, has warned parents with "pointy elbows and lawyer friends" are emailing teachers in an effort to boost their children's GCSE and A-level grades. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

Victoria Lambert writes in The Telegraph arguing independent schools are adapting to changes to university admissions processes by supporting pupils in applications to American institutions.

According to data from the Office for Students, top universities are accepting fewer applicants from wealthy backgrounds while admitting more black students. By Nicola Woolcock, Daniel Clark and Tom Ball, The Times.

A separate article in The Telegraph explores the success behind Brampton Manor Academy's record number of Oxbridge offers. By Luke Mintz.

The Turing scheme, a £110 million student exchange programme introduced in place of Erasmus+, has opened for funding applications from colleges, schools and universities. By Kate Parker, Tes.