ISC Daily News Summary

According to The Independent, Dr Jenny Harries, a senior government health official, has admitted to union leaders that there is no modelled evidence behind new changes to COVID rules in schools. By Samuel Lovett.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of Ofsted, has warned that a rise in homeschooling could "seriously derail" education catch-up efforts, adding "not every parent is equipped to be a teacher". By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The Education Select Committee has reportedly written to Gavin Williamson calling for clarity over the source of £3.1 billion in catch-up funding, saying: "It is unclear whether all of the money provided has been additional monies, or if some has been derived from DfE savings elsewhere." By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

New research findings suggest children face a two-in-a-million chance of dying from COVID-19, and a one-in-50,000 chance of being admitted to intensive care. By Katie Gibbons, The Times.

According to survey findings from Tes, a majority of teachers say at least some of their pupils lacked sufficient evidence for their GCSE or A-level grade this year. By Catherine Lough.

Researchers at the Department for Education have explored the link between better exam results at age 16 and earning potential, calculating that pupils who achieve just one grade higher in a GCSE subject will go on to earn an average of £23,000 more over their lifetime. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The flu jab rollout will be extended to everyone under the age of 16 this winter, amid concerns Britain could be facing one of the worst seasons on record. By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph.

The Times reports more than 500 people have called an NSPCC helpline about sexual abuse in schools. The helpline was launched on 1 April in the wake of the Everyone's Invited campaign. By Nicola Woolock.

Tom Wingate, headteacher of The Wingate School in Mexico City, writes in Tes about the importance of international schools supporting their local communities through outreach programmes.

Kirsti Lord, deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges and chair of the AoC's Diversity and Inclusion board, writes in Tes arguing: "The first year of T-levels have been a success, but questions still remain over funding for specialist staff, and information, advice and guidance in schools."

Some headteachers across the country are allowing pupils to arrive at school at 10.30am on Monday after England's Euro 2020 final match against Italy. By Amy Walker, iNews.