ISC Daily News Summary

The Government is being warned it risks creating huge confusion in the final week of term by allowing school bubbles to end and the NHS to take over contact tracing, despite self-isolation rules not being relaxed until August. By John Roberts, Tes.

School leaders are already predicting that parents will take their children out of school in the last week of term to avoid isolating during planned breaks. By John Roberts, Tes.

The DfE has made a U-turn and revised guidance on face coverings for pupils on public transport and school buses, now stating: "From July 19, the Government is removing the requirement to wear face coverings in law but expects and recommends that they are worn in enclosed and crowded spaces where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet. This includes public transport and dedicated transport to school or college." By Tom Belger, Schools Week.

Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) has revealed COVID disrupted routine vaccinations for as many as 23 million children worldwide in 2020. By Charlene Rodrigues, The Independent.

Exam boards have been accused of making a "completely unreasonable" request after asking schools to provide staff contacts who are available “throughout the summer”. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

The DfE has confirmed it will cover 2021 autumn exam costs for students and schools. By Tom Belger and James Carr, Schools Week.

Mel Sims, a 49-year-old single mother, writes in The Telegraph outlining why she asked her family for financial help to send her daughter to an independent school in case of another lockdown.

Pearson is adding four new plays to its GCSE drama curriculum in a bid to help decolonise the syllabus and make it more inclusive. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Schools Week rounds up the recommendations for schools in the newly published national food strategy. By Freddie Whittaker.

The Community Security Trust (CST), a Jewish charity which monitors anti-Semitic incidents in Britain, has warned there was an "unprecedented number" of incidents experienced by Jewish teachers and students in the month from 8 May to 7 June, during and in the wake of the conflict in Israel and Gaza. By Gabriella Swerling, The Telegraph.

The annual Education and Skills Survey, produced by the CBI in partnership with Birkbeck, University of London, has revealed that employers want T-level work placements to be more flexible. By Kate Parker, Tes.

The annual Beano competition to find the country's funniest class has listed the top 10 jokes sent in by schools. Tes.