ISC Daily News Summary

In an interview with LBC, Boris Johnson has said he is not opposed to creating new selective state schools because “competition is a damn fine thing”. Emma Yeomans, The Times.

The Times takes a closer look at independent schools with asset wealth and questions their charitable status. By Robert Watts. The article quotes Richard Backhouse, chairman of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, and references research from the ISC.

Conservative MP Alexander Stafford has argued that medieval history should be taught more in England’s schools or “vast chunks” of our past will be lost, adding "students are far more likely to learn about someone like Martin Luther King than they are about Alfred the Great". By Dominic Nicholls, The Telegraph.

Janice Turner writes in The Times suggesting that the Government needs to create a register of organisations that teach RSHE (relationships, sex and health education) lessons and closely monitor learning materials following reports of "inappropriately sexualised content of lessons for young children".

Safeguarding Our Schools Scotland (SOSS) has claimed that children as young as 11, including those with learning disabilities, are being bullied in Scottish schools for questioning transgender ideology and failing to use appropriate pronouns. By Mark Macaskill, The Times.

According to The Telegraph, some parents are claiming that teachers are affirming their children’s new transgender identities without consulting them first. By Hayley Dixon

Speaking to The Times, Natasha Devon, an author and mental health educator in British schools, explains how teachers and parents can help tackle the rise in ‘hidden forms of bullying’ among teenage girls. By Rachel Carlyle.

According to Schools Week, the Information Commissioner’s Office has told the Department for Education (DfE) to release statistics on whether the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) has met its targets during its inaugural year. By Samantha Booth.

The Telegraph interviews Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, on his upbringing, career and the recent threat of teacher strikes over pay. Mr Zahawi warns that "parents will be incredibly angry" in the event of industrial action. By Juliet Samuel.