ISC Daily News Summary

Professor Alan Smithers, at the University of Buckingham, is warning against allowing "grade inflation" to become the norm amid predictions there will be high levels of top A-level grades this year. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

The Telegraph reports that some universities will be setting their own entrance exams to find the brightest students due to the expected "tsunami" of top A-level grades. By Camilla Turner and Lois Heslop.

According to The Guardian, "grade inflation" has forced the Government to fund hundreds of extra places on medical and dental courses at universities in England. By Rachel Hall and Richard Adams.

A Tes survey of over 2,800 grading teachers has found that nearly nine in 10 feel exam boards did not support them or their school enough through this year's GCSE and A-level grading process. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

The Times has published a leading article looking at the issues with this year's GCSE and A-level grades.

New information has been released by Ofqual giving more detail about how it will police appeals of GCSE and A-level grades this year. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Tes reports on comments made by Sir Kevan Collins during a Newsnight interview, in which he said there needs to be an end to the ongoing "obsession" with exams.

Ahead of results days, The Guardian breaks down how the grading system will work this year. By Ben Quinn.

Tes details the key dates and information about clearing for this year's A-level students.

According to iNews, some schools are planning to teach children the science behind COVID vaccines to help students make an informed decision about getting a jab. By Will Hazell.

Joanna Moorhead writes in The Telegraph suggesting that jabs for younger children will be implemented at some stage, and asking: "So why not grasp the nettle now, let younger age groups make the informed decision to have the jab and get themselves ahead of the game?"

Emma Duncan writes in The Times about the UK's "education arms race", following a decision taken by the Chinese Government to outlaw profit-making and foreign investment in most of education.

BBC News features an interview with The Sutton Trust founder, Sir Peter Lampl, in which there is a reference to his desire for more independent school places to be available for less well-off families, in a state-funded "open access" scheme. By Sean Coughlan.

UK universities are being told to be vigilant against the threat posed by organised criminal gangs who could use essay mills to launch cyber attacks on institutions. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Tes looks at how international school leaders learn to deal with ambassadors, government ministries, well-connected parents, consulates and more. By Dan Worth. The article quotes COBIS CEO, Colin Bell.