ISC Daily News Summary

The Times reports 12 to 15-year-olds in England could be offered a COVID vaccine as soon as next week, as the chief medical officer prepares to give his endorsement. By Oliver Wright.

According to The Telegraph, new figures from the Office for National Statistics show coronavirus prevalence is stable in England, suggesting the return of schools has not led to a spike in cases. By Sarah Knapton.

Boris Johnson is expected to announce this week that COVID powers - such as the ability to close schools and pubs - are no longer needed. By Phoebe Southworth, The Telegraph.

New figures show more than 38,000 pupils were absent from school in Scotland for coronavirus-related reasons last week. By Emma Seith, Tes.

Some university students are reportedly having to stay in hotels or defer for a year because they cannot find anywhere to live when degree courses start in a few weeks. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Speaking to The Guardian, some university lecturers share their concerns about the return of face-to-face teaching. By Anna Fazackerley.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, writes in Tes considering the grading options for next year's exams.

Dorothy Byrne, president of Murray Edwards College at Cambridge University, has suggested the proportion of state-educated students attending the university should be representative of society as a whole. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times. The article quotes Neil Roskilly, vice-president of the Independent Schools Association.

According to statistics published by UCAS, more students are securing university places in every demographic across the UK except for white men. By Peter Chappell, The Times.

A survey of more than 20,000 working parents has found that 96 per cent believe ministers are not doing enough to support parents with the cost and availability of childcare. By Alexandra Topping, The Guardian.

Schools minister Nick Gibb has said that an arts premium for secondary pupils will now be subject to this year's Spending Review "due to the focus on new priorities as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak". By Mikey Smith, The Mirror.