ISC Daily News Summary

Ministers have hinted that they could commit more funding to support catch-up plans, following the resignation of Sir Kevan Collins, the education recovery commissioner. By Eleni Courea and George Grylls, The Times.

According to The Guardian, Conservative MPs have privately demanded a rethink of the education recovery plan for schools. By Peter Walker, Sally Weale and Jessica Elgot. The Telegraph reports Boris Johnson could be on a 'potential collision course' with the Government's Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities following the watering down of catch-up proposals. By Harry Yorke.

The Education Policy Institute has described the Government's funding announcement as "a long way off" what is needed, after estimating that the new package amounts to around £50 extra per pupil every year. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow and chair of the Education Select Committee, writes in iNews arguing "radical reform" and "a serious long-term plan for education with a proper funding settlement" is needed to help children and young people recover from the pandemic.

Anthony Seldon, a contemporary historian who spent 25 years as a school and university head, writes in The Times suggesting a longer school day could be the key to 'bridging the gap' between state and independent schools which has been heightened by the pandemic.

Judith Woods writes in The Telegraph in response to the Government's catch-up funding controversy, asking: "When will cash for school children be a political priority?"

Campaigners and experts have said education catch-up plans must do more to support children's wellbeing and play. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

According to The Guardian, new figures published by Public Health England show the Delta COVID-19 variant has begun spreading in schools and colleges. By Richard Adams and Nicola Davis.

Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, has accused the Government of outsourcing its flagship national tutoring programme to a giant human resources conglomerate "with little tutoring experience". By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

BBC News reports Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) are to be reformed amid criticism over this year's assessment system.

Opposition parties in Scotland have described the country's appeals process as "deeply unfair", while children's groups have warned it could cause "further worry" to pupils whose learning has already been disrupted. By Chris Green, iNews. An article in Tes takes a closer look at how this year's appeals process will work in Scotland. By Emma Seith.

Alice Thomson writes in The Times reflecting on the portrayal of teenage boys following reports of sexual harassment and abuse in schools, and asks: "Could the reality be more complicated - are they the victims too?". The article mentions St Benedict's School in Ealing, where pupils are learning about sexual consent with the Schools Consent Project.

In the latest instalment of the ISC's 'Spotlight On' blog series, Dr Joe Spence, master of Dulwich College, explains how the Southwark Schools’ Learning Partnership has adapted its collaborative work during the pandemic.

French and German educational tour organisers have warned of a "big fall-off in interest" in trips to the UK following the implementation of tougher post-Brexit entry requirements. By Jon Henley and Kate Connolly, The Guardian.

James Forsyth, political editor of The Spectator, writes in The Times claiming the Conservatives want to "end the university boom years" by investing in technical education.