ISC Daily News Summary

According to The Telegraph, schools have begun moving to remote lessons for the final week of term despite government advice that children should remain in the classroom unless the situation is a “public health emergency”. By Camilla Turner, Sam Hall and Lucy Fisher.

Scientists have advised that, to slow the spread of the Omicron COVID variant, teachers should be prioritised for booster jabs and children aged over five should be vaccinated. By Samuel Lovett, The Independent.

School leaders have warned of “chaos” in England’s schools as Omicron case numbers rise. Paul Whiteman, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "The Government must act now to deliver ventilation solutions, sensible and effective isolation protocols, and lift the unnecessary pressure of inspection." By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Department for Education has confirmed deals with six approved suppliers to sell air purifiers at agreed prices and has launched an online “marketplace” where schools can buy them. By Tom Belger, Schools Week.

Under new rules introduced today, close contacts of all COVID cases should take daily lateral flow tests for a week - meaning pupils who test negative can continue to attend classes. By James Carr, Schools Week.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, has said that schools will not close early despite rising Omicron cases. BBC News.

Keith Metcalfe, headmaster at Malvern College, has said that A-level and GCSE exams should be typed because long periods of handwriting can be “tiring” for schoolchildren. Mr Metcalfe said: "Handwriting has largely disappeared everywhere except for school, making it seem very antiquated to still be going into an exam room with a pen and paper." By Claudia Rowan, The Telegraph.

Official figures have revealed that nearly half of “outstanding” schools reviewed by Ofsted this term have been downgraded. However, the overall grade for schools in England has improved, with 83 per cent of schools judged as “good” or “outstanding” between September and November this year. The Telegraph.

Schools graded "requires improvement" by Ofsted were more likely to be upgraded after inspections this term than during pre-pandemic visits. Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, said the figures show “schools are improving and being recognised for doing so”. By James Carr, Schools Week.

Research by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has found that 15 per cent of Scottish primary teachers say music is ‘non-existent’ or ‘practically non-existent’ in their schools and only 3 per cent of primary teachers said their schools had a "structured and coherent programme" of music education. By Emma Seith, Tes.