ISC Daily News Summary

Senior deputy headteacher at St Benedict's School Luke Ramsden writes in Independent School Management Plus on the debate over good quality relationships and sex education (RSE). Mr Ramsden warns that "really useful and important objective discussions about how to guide our young people are being obscured by politically motivated rhetoric and reporting".

Former Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw has told Tes he now supports Labour’s plan to replace headline inspection grades with a scorecard. Having reflected on the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, Sir Michael said he believes that, while one-word judgements had ”been a lever for government to intervene in schools”, the time has now come for change. By Charlotte Santry.

Early years sector leaders have said there is an “urgent need” for the Department for Education (DfE) to create a permanently funded route for maintained nursery schools (MNS). They are calling for the funding for more special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reception places amid increasing demand within the age group. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Writing in Tes, Jon Hutchinson explores the Progress 8 model and says he believes the few schools opting to do something different should be applauded. Mr Hutchinson explains: "For many children and parents, the 'top Progress 8 approach' isn’t aligned with their own wishes." Jon Hutchison is director of training and development at the Reach Foundation.

A review of secondary school assessment ordered by the Scottish government is expected to recommend scrapping the traditional end-of-year exams for 15- and 16-year-olds in Scotland. The plans, which would see pupils judged on coursework alongside a “Scottish diploma” recognising extra curricular activities, are expected to be unveiled before the school summer holidays. By Helen Puttick, The Times.

In a blog marking the end of the British Nutrition Foundation's 11th Healthy Eating Week, the food team at Sarum Hall School, winners of last year’s Independent Schools Award for ‘Best Independent School for Healthy Eating’, explain how food education goes further than just providing healthy school lunches.