ISC Daily News Summary

Data from the House of Commons library show that children in some parts of England are three times more likely to be vaccinated than those in other areas. The figures, distributed by Labour, prompted the shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson to suggest that children should be able to access walk-in clinics. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

The children's commissioner for England has said that many children aged between five and 11 want to be vaccinated against COVID because they wish to protect older relatives. Dame Rachel de Souza added that if jabs for that age group are authorised by scientists, then the Government should “let children who want it have it”. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Schools Week takes a closer look at how other regulators are reacting to COVID in light of calls for Ofsted to halt school inspections. By James Carr.

Education Scotland has announced that school inspections will not go ahead as planned in the New Year. The inspection body said that, having taken into account the ongoing challenges schools are facing, it "will not resume the routine early learning and childcare and school inspection programme as originally planned". By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

A survey of teachers by Barnardo’s has found that nine out of 10 children in Scotland are more stressed than they were before the pandemic, however many are not getting the specialist support they need. By Mike Wade, The Times.

Nicolas Walker, tutor and music teacher at Ibstock Place School, writes for Independent Education Today on engaging students using immersive storytelling.

The Guardian takes a closer look at figures showing a growth in pupil numbers at grammar schools, highlighting several schools in Kent that have begun taking on pupils who did not pass the 11-plus test. By Fran Abrams.

According to The Sunday Times, thousands of children are joining "maths circles" on Saturday mornings to help each other solve problems and puzzles. Tabs Goldman, who helps run a maths circle, said that she thinks the British problem with maths is cultural, adding: "Maths is portrayed as something boring and that sets the scene for teachers and parents." By Sian Griffiths.

A report by academics from University College London, Kent University, the School of Sexuality Education in London and the Association of School and College Leaders has found that most girls aged 12 to 18 have received an image of male genitalia, often from adult men who were strangers. Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

In light of new data from the Office for National Statistics on youth unemployment in London, Steve Chalke, founder of the Oasis chain of schools, has said that the Government must appoint a minister for youth employment because the situation for school-leavers is so dire. By Anna Davis, The Independent.