ISC Daily News Summary

Nine education unions and organisations - including the Independent Schools Council - are encouraging schools to take part in a national festival of art, intended to celebrate the role of the arts in education and the achievements of pupils. By John Roberts, Tes.

According to research from the Education Policy Institute, the Government's education recovery programme will require £10-15 billion of funding, almost 10 times the amount allocated so far. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Schools Week summarises key changes to Ofsted's inspections during the pandemic. By James Carr.

The majority of pupils at Scotland's secondary schools are returning to class this week following the Easter break. BBC News.

A draft report from Ofqual suggests teachers are prone to under-grading socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils and those with special needs, highlighting "potential threats to the validity" of assessments. By Will Hazell, iNews.

An anonymous teacher writes in Tes explaining why their school is holding full formal mock exams this year.

David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools' Bursars Association, has warned that some independent schools may have to reduce their offer of "minority" GCSE and A-level subjects as a result of the pandemic. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Richard Cairns, head of Brighton College, has said it would be a "mistake" to try to reduce the number of independently educated students accepted into Oxbridge, citing research findings which suggest former independent school pupils are more likely to graduate with a first class degree from Oxford or Cambridge than their state school counterparts. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

A report published by the Jimmy Reid Foundation has said state schools in Scotland should be so good that independent schools become "gradually phased out". Tes. The article quotes John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools.

The Office for Students has published a statement of expectations for universities to follow to support students reporting sexual misconduct or harassment. By Emma Yeomans, The Times. Julian Gravatt, deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges, has said the organisation will seek clarification on how colleges should implement the recommendations in practice. By Julia Belgutay, Tes.

Home secretary Priti Patel has said police will be given powers to impose conditions on "unjustifiably noisy" demonstrations outside schools, care homes and GP surgeries. By Charles Hymas, The Telegraph.