ISC Daily News Summary

Union leaders have written to education secretary Gillian Keegan with urgent questions about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), warning that “hundreds more schools” could be affected. They have called for Ms Keegan to provided updated figures on how many schools could be at risk. By Jasmine Norden, Tes. 

Analysis by The Guardian has revealed more than one in seven schools in England affected by RAAC were previously denied government funding to be rebuilt, despite being regarded as urgently in need. By Peter Walker and Sally Weale. 

The Telegraph reports that nine schools ordered by ministers to close or partially close for the presence of suspected RAAC were found to be clear of it. The article is accompanied by a Department for Education (DfE) map showing education facilities with confirmed RAAC. By Catherine Lough, Louisa Clarence-Smith and Nick Gutteridge.

Writing in Tes, director of policy and communications at the National Governance Association (NGA) Sam Henson outlines six areas of concern for school governors and trustees, as highlighted by a recent NGA survey. The issues include recruitment and retention, safeguarding and attendance.

School governors responding to the survey also reported an increase in concerns over pupils self-harming. By Jordan Reynolds, The Independent.

According to The Telegraph, division within the Cabinet has emerged over proposals to reform trans policy. Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch reportedly does not believe a law change is required to ban children from changing gender in schools. By Daniel Martin.

Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner for England, writes in Schools Week on the attendance crisis in education, calling for ministers to ensure all agencies are held responsible for helping schools to get pupils back into the classroom.

In the latest ISC blog, Dr Margaret Hunnaball, researcher in residence at the School Partnerships Alliance, draws from her own research findings to reflect on the value of cross-sector partnerships.