ISC Daily News Summary

School leaders and education experts have warned that grade inflation is 'inevitable' this year, despite measures put in place to try to make the system fair. By Sally Weale and Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, has urged Ofqual to explain why some pupils might have their exam grades "withheld" this summer. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The Worthless? campaign group of headteachers is calling on exam boards to refund at least 50 per cent of the fees charged for GCSE and A-level entries this summer, estimated to total more than £220 million. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Speaking to The Guardian, five teachers share their views on this year's grading system. By Molly Blackall and Alfie Packham.

Tes reports a number of pupils in Scotland are using social media platforms such as TikTok to exchange information about the contents of this year's 'exam' papers. By Emma Seith.

The Government has announced £17 million of funding for schools to improve mental health support for pupils in the wake of the pandemic. By Will Hazell, iNews. Writing in Tes, Ms Ford explains how the funding package will be used to support young people.

NHS England has confirmed it is accelerating its mental health services for children, amid concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on pupils' mental health. By Sam Clark, iNews.

According to a document released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies on Friday, ministers were told that pupils should continue to wear face masks in schools into the summer months. By Ian Sample, Ben Quinn and Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Paul Walter, a teacher, writes in The Telegraph explaining why he left the National Education Union over its position on face masks in schools.

According to iNews, Randstad, a Dutch human resources conglomerate, is expected to be awarded the contract to run the Government's National Tutoring Programme. By Will Hazell.

The Guardian explores how the pandemic has affected young people's plans for the future. By Sally Williams.

Schools Week reports on some of the safeguarding measures schools are taking in light of sexual abuse and harassment allegations shared to the Everyone's Invited website. By James Carr. The article quotes Luke Ramsden, senior deputy headmaster and safeguarding lead at St Benedict's School, which is running compulsory "consent workshops" for pupils in Year 7 and above.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has scrapped national guidelines that would have required girls schools to admit transgender pupils. By Ewan Somerville, The Telegraph.

The Sunday Times reports a number of schools are erasing the names of British empire-builders and slave traders in the wake of last summer's Black Lives Matter protests. By Sian Griffiths and Tom Calver. The article mentions several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

The Sunday Times explores the educational backgrounds of those listed on the Brit Awards shortlist, with two of the five singers nominated in the female solo artist category educated at fee-paying schools. By Liam Kelly. The article mentions Latymer Upper School and Alleyn's School.