ISC Daily News Summary

Schools Week reports that the Government's twice-a-month publication of school attendance figures, which was introduced during the pandemic, will no longer show how many pupils are missing school due to COVID. By James Carr.

Ed Dorrell, director at Public First, writes for The Independent calling for more support for teachers, warning that they are “at breaking point because of COVID”.

Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of Ofsted, has said that the pandemic and “growing financial instability” has resulted in more students choosing to stay at home for university and apply to local institutions. By Will Hazell, iNews.

A Scottish government assessment has found that babies and young children in Scotland have been 'stunted' by the pandemic as their speech and language failed to develop properly because of school closures and social distancing. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

According to The Times, GCSE and A-level exams will be staggered this year for the first exam season in three years. Exams in the same subject in England will be spaced at least 10 days apart to avoid disruption caused by COVID. By Chris Smyth.

Headteachers in Wales have warned that the impact of COVID on schools is "dreadful" and have raised concerns about the fairness of A-level and GCSE exams set to begin in May. By Bethan Lewis, BBC News.

Tes explores the financial pressures some independent schools are facing amid rising energy costs and other inflationary pressures. The article quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association, Christopher King, chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools, and Barnaby Lenon, ISC chairman. By Callum Mason.

Students from Rossall School have renovated a house on school grounds to host a family of Ukrainian refugees. Head Jeremy Quatermain said: "We're under no illusions that this is an incredibly difficult and sad time in their lives so we want them to feel the kindness and compassion of the local community." BBC News.

iNews reports that some UK universities will be 'twinned' with higher education institutions in Ukraine to offer support to students and academics during the war. Around 30 UK universities have so far expressed an interest in being matched with institutions in Ukraine. By Will Hazell.

The Department for Education (DfE) has emailed headteachers urging them to read government guidance on cyber attacks to avoid being targeted by Russian "hacktivists" and to reconsider their risks if using Russian-based antivirus software or IT applications. By Callum Mason, Tes.

Speaking at Tes' Education Insights Expert Panel, Professor Becky Francis, chief executive of the Education Endowment Foundation, warned teachers to avoid "snake oil" products that claim to offer evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning, adding "teachers need to be allowed to analyse and interrogate evidence". By Matilda Martin, Tes.