ISC Daily News Summary

The Labour Party has urged the Government “redouble its efforts” to drive up vaccination rates for 12 to 15-year-olds’, as current figures are well below their peak despite extra cash to boost the rollout. By James Carr, Schools Week.

According to The Telegraph, children are having to take part in sports events and competitions via Zoom as COVID measures continue to have an impact. By Camilla Turner.

The Times reports that pupils in Scotland face a postcode lottery, with some councils banning schools from booking residential trips while others are supporting educational nights away. By Constance Kampfner.

According to Tes, exams boards are set to publish information today on what topics pupils will be tested on in this summer’s GCSE and A-level exams. By Helen Chapman.

The Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents exam boards, has urged people to only access information about exam topics on official websites “to minimise any chance of misinformation”. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

An article in The Sunday Times questions grade inflation at a number of independent schools by comparing the proportion of A* A-level grades awarded in 2021 to 2019. By Alastair McCall, Sian Griffiths and Nick Rodrigues. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) and associations representing the heads, governors and bursars at independent schools have co-signed a letter to The Sunday Times in response, which can be found here.

Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, has said that A-level and GCSE exams will be going ahead this year for the first time since 2019, following claims of concerning levels of grade inflation caused by teacher assessed grades in 2021. The article quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC. By Nicola Woolcock and Will Humphries, The Times.

The Labour Party has called for an inquiry into the way A-level results were awarded last year following a spike in top grades. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is encouraging teachers to teach Shakespeare plays to children as young as three, claiming that there is “compelling evidence from high-quality research” that it aids in developing language skills, building self-confidence and raising ambition. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Amanda Wilson, a headteacher at St Alfege with St Peter’s CofE primary school in London, outlines ways schools can support teaching apprentices. Tes.

Schools Week takes a closer look at the proposals for new "elite" sixth forms outlined in the Government's levelling up white paper. By Freddie Whittaker.