ISC Daily News Summary

A survey carried out on behalf of the NASUWT by Savanta ComRes has found that 64 per cent of parents with children under the age of 18 would support teachers taking industrial action should they be offered a pay rise below inflation. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

According to research by the University of Trento, published in the British Journal of Sociology of Education, teachers have a tendency to give girls higher grades than boys because they find them to be 'better behaved, neater and easier to teach'. The data suggests that this is particularly true in mathematics. By Kaya Burgess, The Times.

John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), writes to The Herald responding to an article which warned that an independent education 'can seriously limit your career choices'. Mr Edward highlights the diversity of the independent sector in Scotland and its role in the Scottish Government's discussion on education, adding that pupils and their families are 'far more interested in the enriching experience of being at school than whatever might lie after'. The letter is published second on the page.

Writing in Independent Schools Magazine, Christopher King, chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), talks about why creative activities are imperative to a child's education. Mr King refers to a study by IAPS and Dr Bettina Hohnen, a clinical psychologist, which showed that children who took part in a short art session felt 'more in control of their emotions'.

Tes reports that there has been a 'significant rise' in the number of children receiving incorrect marks in Key Stage 2 SATs tests. By Matilda Martin.

The prime minister, Liz Truss, has signalled that that she would like to review the minimum number of hours of physical education (PE) that girls are offered in school, following a meeting with members of the England women’s football team. There is presently no minimum requirement, meaning schools can decide how much PE to include on the curriculum. By Molly Hudson, The Times.

The Government's social mobility tsar, Katharine Birbalsingh, has called for all pupils to be taught the national anthem in order to encourage a feeling of belonging, even if white teachers "feel uncomfortable" teaching it. By Gabriella Swerling, The Telegraph.

Writing in Tes, Rob Ford, director of Heritage International School in Chisinau, Moldova, explains why it is so important that staff and students in the UK and abroad know what to do in an emergency. The article mentions the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).