ISC Daily News Summary

According to an investigation by The Telegraph, independent school pupils are 'twice as likely' than their state-educated peers to be asked for top grades by some universities. Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), has said: "Contextual admissions is only a fair system if applied fairly - which means looking at the individual pupil and their circumstances, not the type of school they go to." By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Ben Butcher. This follows an earlier article which reported that state school pupils are 'more likely' to get into Cambridge University than their independent school counterparts for the first time. By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Ben Butcher, The Telegraph. 

An article in The Telegraph reports admissions tutors have access to sophisticated data about a candidate's school, which is used to "contextualise" achievements. By Louisa Clarence-Smith. 

Writing in The Telegraph in response to these findings, Melvyn Roffe, principal at George Watson’s College and chairman of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), says: "It may help meet targets, but is this system fairer?". *This item is below halfway down the page.* 

Professor Lawrence Goldman, Emeritus fellow at St Peter's College, has suggested that the University of Oxford should publish entrance exam results to 'prove that admissions tutors are not biased against independent school pupils'. By Berny Torre, The Telegraph.

According to The Sunday Times, some college heads at Oxford and Cambridge have suggested that universities should increase their intake of state school students to up to 95 per cent. By Sian Griffiths.

The Department for Education (DfE) ministerial line-up appears to have been completed, following the announcement that Baroness Barran is staying on as academies minister. By John Dickens, Schools Week.

iNews explores some of the education policies either delayed or under threat following the recent ministerial changes, including calls for the Government to commit to improving girls’ access to football in schools made earlier this year. By Poppy Wood.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned that around 1.8 million public sector workers, including teachers, are close to resigning, with many feeling increasingly unsupported and underpaid in their roles. By Eleanor Hayward, The Times.

The Government is reportedly not planning to extend the eligibility of free school meals despite rising living costs. By Adam Forrest, The Independent.

School leaders and charities have warned that councils across England are “quietly” stopping holiday food voucher schemes for children on free school meals. By Anna Fazackerley, The Observer.

Writing in The Sunday Times, James Kirkup, director of the Social Market Foundation, argues that "education funding shouldn’t just be restored to earlier levels, but raised significantly".