ISC Daily News Summary

The Times has published a range of articles reporting on what was said at its Education Commission Summit yesterday.

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a professor of psychology at the University of Cambridge and expert in adolescent development, told the summit that exam pressure was contributing to the rise in mental health problems among young people. By Emma Yeomans.

Euan Blair, the co-founder of apprenticeship company Multiverse, suggested that GCSEs should be abolished because they ‘do not determine who will go on to succeed or fail in life’. By Nicola Woolcock and Emma Yeomans.

In a separate article, Nicola Woolcock explores the debate surrounding exam reform, and considers the argument for switching to online assessment.

Holly Papworth reports on comments from Sir James Dyson, who claimed that a ‘narrow focus’ on traditionally academic subjects is to blame for the decline in the study of design and technology.

According to a survey from the Association of School and College Leaders, almost four in five headteachers say they have received more requests this year from pupils wanting to sit exams in separate rooms away from the main hall, primarily due to high levels of stress and anxiety. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Tes summarises the latest information on what to expect for next year's exams following confirmation of new details from exams regulator Ofqual and the Department for Education (DfE). By Grainne Hallahan.

Writing for the latest issue of Independent School Management Plus magazine, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, describes how independent schools have been offering support to those affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

Journalist Will Hazell writes for iNews suggesting that a compulsory register of “children not in school” as proposed in the new Schools Bill would "represent an historic shift in the scope of society’s interest in children’s upbringing".

The DfE has told schools and academy trusts to factor in the Government’s new “parent pledge” of support for children who fall behind when setting their budgets for next year. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

BBC News reports that activists from Animal Rebellion are urging councils across the UK to drop meat from school dinners at least two days a week in order to help tackle the climate crisis and support children suffering from eco-anxiety.

The Scottish Government is considering whether school data on attendance and exclusions could be monitored more closely in the future to assess whether the "poverty-related attainment gap" is being closed. By Emma Seith, Tes.