ISC Daily News Summary

Tes considers the possible impact of strike action in schools in light of the recent news that both the NASUWT and National Education Union (NEU) have started to ballot members on strike action over pay and funding. By Matilda Martin.

Schools Week reflects on the cost of the reshuffle of education ministers in light of the recent changes in personnel at the Department for Education (DfE). Those who have resigned or been dismissed are reportedly entitled to more than £100,000 in severance pay. By John Dickens.

Anne Longfield, the head of the Commission on Young Lives, has warned that children of primary age running drugs for gangs has “become the norm”. Hidden In Plain Sight, the final report published by the Commission, warns of a crisis putting hundreds of thousands of children in England at risk of harm and urges the Government to take action. By Jemma Crew, The Independent.

Tes considers further aspects of the report, including a proposal for the Government to open schools at weekends for vulnerable pupils and extend free school meals. By Rhodri Morgan.

Research by NHS Digital has shown 31.3 per cent of Year 6 children (aged 10 and 11) in deprived areas are obese, more than double the 13.5 per cent in the least deprived areas of England, with data suggesting that boys are more likely to be obese compared with girls. There has, however, been a fall in childhood obesity in the last year compared to high levels during the COVID pandemic. By Jane Kirby, The Independent.

SEND experts have warned that cuts to "critical" classroom support staff could put the safety of staff and pupils at risk, after a recent snapshot survey by the National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals (NNoSS) found one in four special schools, hospital schools and alternative provision sites 'will be forced to reduce numbers to cope with rising costs'. By Callum Mason, Tes.

A BBC News news report explores why so few people have been officially diagnosed with dyscalculia. According to estimates by the Dyscalculia Network, over three million people could have the learning difficulty which affects a person's ability to understand numbers. Video by Kristian Johnson.

Plans are being drawn up by the Government to package up eligible “clusters” of schools so they can be transferred into large academy trusts. Jonathan Gullis, the former schools minister, has told Schools Week that officials wished to be 'more strategic' regarding academy expansion and help large trusts into areas where they did not have schools. By Freddie Whittaker.

The Government's flagship provider for attracting talented graduates into teaching, Teach First, has reportedly recruited the lowest number of trainees in four years, missing its target by one fifth. The organisation is calling on ministers to offer a £5,000 recruitment bonus for teachers working in the most deprived areas “to ensure the profession remains competitive”. Amy Walker, Schools Week.

Mark Steed, principal and CEO of Kellett School, the British International School in Hong Kong, is interviewed in Tes about his school's experience with online interviews and what can be done to strengthen opportunities for career progression. He says: "Staff wellbeing has become one of the most important areas for school leaders to consider". By Dan Worth.