ISC Daily News Summary

Ofqual has confirmed that exam boards will only be required to offer AS-level exams in five subjects during this year's autumn series, along with exams in all GCSE and A-level subjects. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Tes reports school inspectors will be sent to Scotland's 32 councils "to ensure that the approach to certification this year delivers for young people across Scotland". By Emma Seith.

Liz Cloke, head of secondary at Tenby International School, Penang, Malaysia, writes in Tes about concerns over the fairness of some students sitting international A-level and IGCSE exams amid COVID-19 disruption.

A study has found that fewer secondary school pupils and staff in England tested positive for COVID-19 after schools reopened in March compared to the autumn term. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Telegraph has published its view on face masks in schools, arguing it is "unconscionable to require pupils to continue to wear face coverings in the classroom".

The OCR exam board has invited teachers to vote on which texts should be studied for GCSE and A-level English literature, as part of efforts to make the subject more inclusive and diverse. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Ofsted has said it was "disappointing" to see how many primary schools were "barely out of the starting block" with their languages curriculum following a series of subject inspections. By James Carr, Schools Week.

A study of more than 430,000 10 to 15-year-olds has concluded there remains "little association" between technology use and mental health problems. By Zoe Kleinman, BBC News.

According to analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, teenagers in the UK and other developed countries are spending an average of 35 hours per week online. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Tom Hart, acting CEO and president of The ONE Campaign, and Gwen Hines, executive director of programmes at Save the Children, write in The Telegraph urging Joe Biden and Boris Johnson to work together "to ensure education is a key pillar of global efforts to create a more sustainable, just and equitable future for all".