ISC Daily News Summary

David James, deputy head at an independent school, writes in Tes outlining why he believes Labour's tax plans could have a number of negative unintended consequences across education. Warning of the policy's impact on both the state and independent sectors, Mr James says: "Sadly, Labour’s proposed policies will only bring more division and damage, see some excellent schools close and exact a toll none of us can afford."

A “major speech” on education is expected from Sir Keir Starmer later this week, after the Labour Party pledged to make the subject one of its leader’s five “missions” that will shape its election manifesto. Schools Week provides a summary of the education policies that have been announced so far, which include QTS for all teachers and a 'simplification' of teacher incentives. By Freddie Whittaker.

The Guardian reports that more graduate teachers would be brought into nurseries and primary school settings under proposals being considered by Labour to raise standards in education for under-fours. By Pippa Crerar.

The attainment gap between secondary school pupils in the social care system and their peers has been growing after the pandemic, according to new analysis by the Education Policy Institute (EPI). The research found looked-after children achieved English and maths GCSEs that were 2.3 grades behind their peers, on average, in 2021. By Paul Bacon, Tes.

A joint briefing paper by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Independent Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours warned in November 2020 that “many more children will die from suicide than Covid-19 this year”. The parents’ campaign group UsForThem says the warning is among nine opportunities that ministers missed to avert the damage caused by school closures during the pandemic. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

A set of guiding principles to ensure that students and staff are artificial intelligence (AI) literate has been drawn up by UK universities, as the sector struggles to adapt teaching and assessment methods to address the growing use of generative AI. Vice-chancellors at the 24 Russell Group universities have signed up to the code, saying this will protect the academic rigour and integrity of the institutions at the same time as maximising the opportunities AI offers. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.