ISC Daily News Summary

The Government has announced that all five to 11-year-olds in England will be offered a COVID vaccine from April. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Ministers have extended the COVID workforce fund for schools until 8 April to cover supply costs at schools and colleges facing “significant staffing and funding pressures”. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance on political impartiality in schools to help teachers cover complex topics. The education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, said that no subject should be "off-limits" in the classroom as long as contested theories are not promoted as fact. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News.

The National Education Union has raised concerns that the Government's new guidance on political impartiality in schools is 'confusing' and will discourage teachers in England from tackling important subjects. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Michelle Donelan, the higher education minister, has announced that the Government is set to work with UCAS to reform university personal statements that "favour the most advantaged students and do a disservice to those whose strengths are better tested through other means". By Will Hazell, iNews.

Keith Metcalfe, head of Malvern College, writes for Independent Schools Magazine suggesting that exam boards should aim to drop compulsory handwritten GCSE and A-level tests, arguing that they do not prepare students for "the real world where handwriting is becoming less valid".

According to figures from UCAS, 28 per cent of 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged areas have applied to go to university this year. By Will Hazell.