ISC Daily News Summary

MPs will be told that the COVID pandemic has “destroyed morale” among school leaders in a parliamentary briefing today. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, who will lead the briefing, said: "We are hearing that morale is very low and some are considering leaving the profession." By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

The Guardian outlines the 12 “national missions” set out in the Government's Levelling Up White Paper. By Peter Walker.

Data compiled by the Labour Party has revealed that a quarter fewer poor pupils achieved English and maths GCSEs during the pandemic than their richer classmates. By Emma Yeomans, The Times.

iNews reports that 36.1 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds at state-funded schools in the most deprived areas of England are estimated to have received at least one dose of vaccine, compared with 70.3 per cent in the least deprived areas. By Paul Gallagher.

Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said that soon face masks in the classroom may no longer be a requirement but "we have not yet reached that stage”. By Chris Green, iNews.

School lunches could be inspected to ensure they are healthy as part of a Government drive to tackle childhood obesity, which has worsened during the pandemic. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

According to official figures from the 2020-21 Department of Health and Social Care accounts, £350 million worth of fruit and vegetables for school lunches was thrown away after the suspension of a scheme delivering produce to schools. By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph.

Under the Government's levelling up plans, which are expected to be published today in full, Eton College could help set up and run new “elite” state sixth forms in the North and Midlands. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Independent Assessment Commission, which was set up by the National Education Union, has said that the GCSE system should be overhauled and has suggested that young people should be able to defer sitting GCSEs until the age of 19. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has said that extra support will be given to Scottish school pupils sitting exams this year, with a "generous" approach taken to grading. BBC News.

Benenden School has announced that it is aiming to triple the number of bursaries it offers by the end of 2024 as part of a new bursary and partnerships campaign. Benenden headmistress, Samantha Price, said: “At Benenden we have always been proud of our commitment to bursaries and partnerships – and we are determined to do even more.” By Jo Golding, Independent Education Today.

Amesbury School has called on the Government to cement ‘digitalness’ into the curriculum from year one. Headteacher Jon Whybrow said: "The absence of funding and commitment from the Department of Education to embed digital learning is a national disgrace." By Julian Owen, Independent Education Today.

Under new proposals published today by the Department for Education (DfE), former teachers and those out of work could be barred from teaching by the Teaching Regulation Agency for committing serious misconduct. By Matilda Martin, Tes.