ISC Daily News Summary

New data from the Department for Education (DfE) has revealed that COVID cases in schools have doubled in a fortnight, meaning that infections are no longer falling across the country with one out of every eight pupils off school last Thursday. By Emma Yeomans, Chris Smyth and Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

In a consultation published yesterday, the DfE set out proposals for national rules on attendance including when to fine parents for school absences. Commenting on the proposals, Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, said “our new proposals will end the postcode lottery of how attendance is managed in different schools and parts of the country". By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Yesterday headteachers told the Education Select Committee that the National Tutoring Programme is a "bureaucratic nightmare” and that the cash would be better spent if given to schools directly. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

COVID infections among under-15s in Scotland have risen despite cases falling in other age groups. First minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "There have been significant reductions in every age group, except the under-15s. In this younger age group, cases have increased by 41 per cent." By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

According to Public Health Scotland, the behaviour, speech development and sleep patterns of young children in Scotland have deteriorated during the pandemic. By Helen Puttick, The Times.

The Welsh Government has announced that face masks will be required in classrooms until the end of the February half-term. BBC News.

According to a study published by the Times Education Commission, reforming the education system could boost the British economy by £125 billion, as almost three quarters of companies say their profitability would rise by at least 25 per cent if new recruits were better prepared for employment. By Rachel Sylvester and Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

A separate article in The Times details key findings from the Commission on topics ranging from social mobility and the curriculum to assessment and mental health. By Rachel Sylvester. The article quotes Sarah Fletcher, the high mistress of St Paul’s Girls’ School and chairwoman of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ (HMC) reform of assessment working group.

Richard Branson has suggested that children in England are being failed by an education system that puts too much emphasis on exams and stifles creativity. By Rachel Sylvester, The Times.

Schoolchildren from across the country have their say on changes they would make to today's education system. By Oliver Myers, The Times.

The Times takes a closer look at how schools have been impacted by the pandemic and ways to reinvent them for the digital age. By Rachel Sylvester.

In the latest ISC blog Rebecca Purdy, assistant head: staff and co-curricular at Felsted School, discusses the importance of tackling unconscious bias in schools.

Abingdon School has raised over £100,000 over the past 20 years for Agape, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people in Moldova. By Serena Haththotuwa, Independent Education Today.

The Guardian speaks to four black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) headteachers from across the country on how their race has affected their journey to senior leadership. By Amelia Hill.

Free online anti-racism training provided by the National Governance Association and the Association of School and College Leaders will be made available to the 250,000 governors and trustees who control recruitment of senior staff across maintained schools, academies and multi-academy trusts in England. By Amelia Hill, The Guardian.