ISC Daily News Summary

In response to rail strikes this week, the Department for Education (DfE) has told schools they could "prioritise their spending to support their pupils and students and can consider making available funding for pupils and students who may require it”. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Sky News spoke to Jenny Brown, head of the City of London School for Girls, on how strikes are impacting pupils sitting exams this week. Mrs Brown said: "It would have been absolutely wonderful if some thought had been given in advance to try to protect those [pupils] and avoid hitting young people who have a pretty hard time of it."

The National Education Union (NEU) has warned schools would face nationwide chaos if a teachers’ strike goes ahead during the autumn term, which could lead up to three-quarters of staff walking out. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Exam board AQA is investigating reports that an A-level chemistry paper was leaked online before students sat the exam yesterday. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

Following reports the prime minister is considering lifting the ban on new grammar schools, Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “It isn’t the answer to improved social mobility, and would be likely to lead to worse outcomes for those who are not selected, many of whom will inevitably be from disadvantaged homes." By Will Hazell, iNews.

Independent School Management Plus interviews Richard Backhouse, head of Berkhamsted School and chair of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), on supporting schools, the curriculum and assessment.

ASCL has accused the DfE of using a “telesales” campaign in an attempt to bolster the National Tutoring Programme (NTP). By Callum Mason, Tes.

According to a BBC survey of more than two thousand people aged between 11 and 16, young people trust politicians less than they do social media influencers to tell them the truth about current affairs. By Ali Mitib, The Times.

Senior officials from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) union have warned that first minister Nicola Sturgeon has made a “tactical error” in staking her reputation on an attempt to close the attainment gap between poorer and more affluent pupils in Scotland’s schools. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.