ISC Daily News Summary

The Government has announced that secondary schools are to receive £8 million of NHS funding to help them roll out the COVID vaccine for their pupils. The funding will be used to support schools to host NHS vaccination teams and provide materials about vaccination to pupils and their families. By Kat Lay, The Times.

Education experts have warned of a “reading crisis” in British schools, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic and is leaving some 11-year-olds only able to understand books suitable for six-year-olds. By Sian Griffiths, The Times.

The Telegraph reports that some academics believe Oxbridge virtual interviews, which were introduced during the pandemic, could remain online permanently. By Camilla Turner.

According to Tes, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have said that the Scottish National Standardised Assessments for P1 children should be scrapped and the money should be spent on air filters for classrooms instead.

The Association for Admissions, Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools (AMCIS) and Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) have launched free webinars on effective inclusive recruitment for those working in admissions. By Serena Haththotuwa, Independent Education Today.

Independent Education Today interviews Nicholas Hewlett, head of St Dunstan’s College, on celebrating diversity and why he thinks a values-driven education is imperative.

15-year-old schoolboy Ilyan Benamor, who has been the sole carer for his disabled mother since the age of 11, has been awarded an £80,000 scholarship to Eton College. The Telegraph.

Rugby School is set to open a branch in Tokyo after rejecting offers from China and other countries that would restrict the curriculum. Peter Green, head of Rugby School, said: "If we felt that we couldn't teach our liberal arts curriculum we wouldn't go to that country because that wouldn't be true to Rugby School." By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Verulam School in St Albans has scrapped “the madness of discriminatory and archaic” hair policies to encourage students to express themselves and their culture. Headteacher Julie Richardson said: "Too many young people feel that they need to look a certain way and conform." By Cameron Charters, The Times.