ISC Daily News Summary

The National Audit Office has published findings on how well prepared the Government was to respond to a pandemic, revealing the Department for Education (DfE) did not have detailed plans in place for introducing school closures during a pandemic prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

New figures from the UK Health Security Agency show a rise in COVID-19 cases across all year groups in England after the return from half-term. Tes.

According to Tes, the Department of Health and Social Care has no data on the number of people who have been identified and contacted as COVID contacts in a school – nor how many of those have taken a PCR test as a result. By John Roberts.

Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London, has warned that a rise in coronavirus cases is likely when schools return after the Christmas holidays. Tes.

During a debate in the House of Lords about initial teacher training, ISA president Lord Lexden spoke of how independent schools "have long been involved in helping to train our country’s teachers", referencing the ISC's Celebrating Partnerships report and the "ever-increasing and ever-closer" partnership working between state and independent schools. Hansard.

Helen Pike, master of Magdalen College School, reflects on the vital role that independent and state school partnerships play in ensuring that all children can have access to a truly creative and fulfilling education.

Unions and education experts have voiced concern after it emerged that the gender pay gap in schools has widened over the past decade. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Schools Week features an in-depth interview with new Ofqual chief regulator Dr Jo Saxton, asking questions about support for struggling schools, comparable outcomes, exams technology and academisation. By John Dickens.

According to Colin Hughes, the chief executive of AQA, teenagers taking computer-based GCSE and A-level exams has become a matter of “not if, but when”. By Will Hazell, iNews.

iNews takes a closer look at how computer-based GCSE and A-level exams could work. By Will Hazell.

In an interview with Schools Week, Baroness Barran, the new academies minister, has emphasised the DfE’s continued vision of all schools joining MATs and outlined her desire for schools to maximise "the pounds in the classroom” through economies of scale. By Tom Belger.

According to The Times, the DfE is set to publish statutory guidance today that instructs schools to ensure affordable uniforms are available for the start of the next academic year. By Nicola Woolcock.