ISC Daily News Summary

According to Schools Week, only one-third of former teachers who answered ministers’ call to arms to help fill staff shortages in schools during the pandemic have actually returned to the classroom. By Freddie Whittaker.

Tes reports that some schools in areas across the country including Cumbria, East Yorkshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Sussex, Somerset and Wiltshire have been forced to send year groups home this week because of "rapidly rising" COVID rates among staff and an inability to find supply teachers. By Matilda Martin and John Roberts.

New data from the FFT Education attendance tracker has shown that pupil absence rates are on the rise again, prompting concern over the Government’s plan to end free COVID testing. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

David Newberry, deputy head at Bede's Prep School, offers his advice on how to handle pupils' fears and questions about the invasion of Ukraine. Independent Schools Magazine.

Gus Lock, head at Haberdashers' Boys' School, considers whether schools are doing enough to diversify the curriculum and prepare pupils for a global workforce. Mr Lock said: "Every pupil should have the opportunity to see themselves in our story." Independent Schools Magazine.

A survey conducted by the National Association of Head Teachers has found that more than nine in 10 school leaders believe this year's SATs results will not provide meaningful data about their school's performance. Other findings from the survey suggest just three per cent of school leaders think KS2 SATs should go ahead as planned. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Kemi Badenoch, the equalities minister, has warned that schools should not be teaching critical race theory, though acknowledged that she is unable to ban it altogether. By Gabriella Swerling and Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Schools Week outlines nine key points for schools to know from the the Government's response to the Sewell report on race and ethnic disparities. By Freddie Whittaker.

In an interview with Tes, John Blake, the Office for Students’ (OfS) director for fair access and participation, discusses the proposed changes to access to student loans and how schools and universities can work together to boost social mobility. Mr Blake claims that disadvantaged pupils “are not being pushed as hard as they can be, nor being offered the opportunity they need”. By Dan Worth.

New figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency have revealed that UK university drop-out rates have fallen to their lowest level on record. By Will Hazell, iNews.