ISC Daily News Summary

In a letter published in today's Guardian, head of the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham Jan Balon explains the widespread benefits of cross-sector partnerships. Mr Balon references his own school's partnership with Highgate School and writes: "Next week, our students are running an educational conference on social mobility, working with their counterparts at Highgate. 'Bridging the Gap' will engage speakers from across the political spectrum, including David Lammy MP and the education minister Robert Halfon. I am hugely proud of our students’ commitment to breaking down boundaries."

The Telegraph considers the cost of an independent education in light of factors including the rising cost of living. A number of parents are interviewed on their reasons for choosing an independent education for their children and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. A spokesperson for the Independent Schools Council (ISC) is quoted, saying: “A third of pupils still receive some form of fee assistance, and the average value of a bursary has increased to £11,800.” By James Fitzgerald, The Telegraph.

Two in three maintained secondary schools in England teach only one foreign language, according to this year’s Language Trends report by the British Council, which surveyed state and independent secondary schools in England about their linguistic provision. The figures suggest that while more than half (53 per cent) of independent schools teach every pupil at least two languages in Years 7-9 (Key Stage 3), fewer than one in five (16 per cent) state schools do, with German the most affected in the sector. By Anna Bawden, The Guardian.

The British Council's report suggests Latin is one of the top four languages taught to children in England from the age of 7. Latin is also reported to be the most popular language taught in the first three years of independent secondary school, after French, Spanish and German, whereas for maintained schools it was Mandarin. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Art, Craft and Design Education claim that art subjects are at a “crisis point” and are calling for funds to be invested in the area. A new report from the group has come as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has urged the government to adopt a programme to make classical music accessible to pupils in every secondary school. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

One in 10 GCSE-year pupils has been absent from school in England each day this year, up 70 per cent since before the pandemic, a Guardian investigation has discovered. Thousands more young people are missing school as a result of anxiety, illness and the cost of living crisis. By Richard Adams.

Nearly seven in 10 teachers (69 per cent) believe that students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are “being ineffectively supported by the current education system”, according to the findings of Pearson’s School Report 2023, published today. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Some trainees in need of relocating will be offered a one-off grant of £2,000 to help with the cost-of-living crisis under a Teach First pilot scheme starting in September. The move, which aims to “make it financially possible” for its high-achieving graduates to undertake initial teacher training (ITT), follows what the charity says has been a “huge influx” in requests for trainees from schools. By Amy Walker, Schools Week.