ISC Daily News Summary

According to The Times, schools will be expected to do all they can to minimise the impact of COVID outbreaks on education and attendance, introducing face masks or testing for all pupils as a "short-term measure and only as a last resort". By Nicola Woolcock and Steven Swinford.

First minister Nicola Sturgeon has said keeping Scotland's schools open is her top priority, amid a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. By Emma Seith, Tes.

Teach First is calling for the Government to fund a pilot scheme to cut teachers' timetables by 20 per cent in one per cent of the most disadvantaged schools. The teacher training charity says the move would enable teachers to spend more time planning high-quality lessons, therefore boosting pupils' learning. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Guardian explores how some disadvantaged students have missed out on university places after receiving teacher assessed grades lower than predicted. By Anna Fazackerley.

Members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have suggested that "vaccination fatigue" and pressure to get GP appointments may have caused a decline in children getting routine jabs. By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph.

According to a poll by the Early Years Alliance, more than a quarter of parents with children under five are struggling to balance work and childcare because of a lack of nursery provision. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that teachers will be able to train for qualified status abroad from 2022, with the awarding of a new International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS). By Catherine Lough, Tes. The article quotes Colin Bell, chief executive officer of the Council of British International Schools.

Schools Week summarises key takeaways from the DfE's response to a consultation on the issue. By James Carr.

The DfE has announced £50 million in investment into colleges, schools and sixth forms delivering T-levels from next year. By Julia Belgutay, Tes.