ISC Daily News Summary

Spear's features a guide in which education experts offer advice on how to support children in applying to independent schools in the UK. The entrance exam process is outlined and Labour's plans to impose VAT on school fees are explored. Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned throughout this extensive piece. A small number of schools are highlighted for their own individual application processes. James Mitchell, co-founder of ThinkTutors, emphasises the importance of selecting an independent school that is the right fit for an individual child, saying: "It’s crucial for parents to choose a school that aligns with their child’s strengths and personality."

A coalition of independent and state school leaders has warned that children are being let down by delays in accessing mental health support following the pandemic's school closures. Joining colleagues in calling for better mental health provision, head of life advice at Lady Eleanor Holles School Rachel Hart said: “We urge the government to act now to better equip schools to effectively mitigate the visible and significant impact of lockdowns on our children and young people.” Alice Vicary-Stott, director of safeguarding at Eton College, added: “I hope this report will encourage the government to ensure every child in every school can access the correct support for their individual mental health needs." By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

The story has also been covered by Freddie Whittaker in Schools Week. In Tes, John Roberts lists the schools making up The Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools, which are Alleyn’s School, Danes Educational Trust, Eton College, Lady Eleanor Holles School, Oasis Community Learning, Reach Academy Feltham, Star Academies, St Paul’s School and Wellington College.

SNP education secretary Jenny Gilruth has pledged to give Scottish headteachers the power to ban mobile phones from classrooms after the devices were linked to children recording record low scores in numeracy and reading. By Simon Johnson, The Telegraph.

Rector of Kelvinside Academy Daniel Wyatt and principal of Gordonstoun Lisa Kerr debate the the merits or otherwise of a ban on mobile phones in classrooms. Mr Wyatt explains the reasons why his schools is "working... towards a solution where that can be harnessed and utilised without having a negative impact on the classroom environment", while Ms Kerr outlines why her team made the decision not to let pupils have phones during class. She explains: "We found that students were still tempted to sneak a peek at their phones, so, at the start of this academic year, we decided that phones had to be left at home or in their boarding houses, and students had to hand them to staff overnight." The Times.

Analysis shared with Tes has revealed the number of pupils being taught with a younger age group has more than doubled in recent years, and is now at its highest level in 15 years. The findings have prompted calls for ministers to provide guidance on teaching children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in a different year group to their age. By John Roberts.

Undergraduates studying economics and management at Oxford University have been advised to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT to help generate first drafts of essays before analysing them. Course professor Steve New told students that AI “should help you produce a much better essay than you would produce unaided”, if it was used “thoughtfully and critically”. By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Milo Dennison, The Telegraph.

The Guardian view reflects on this week's House of Lords report on secondary education and states that "an overly prescriptive and narrow curriculum is failing too many pupils at English schools".

Independent School Management Plus includes an interview with Simon Larter-Evans, principal of Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, a vocational independent school offering specialist performing arts education alongside a full academic curriculum. Mr Larter-Evans talks about his own career journey and what motivates him in his latest role. Of the school's goal, he says: “It’s about making sure that young artists have as much richness in their lives so that they can become better artists. We’re nurturing that kind of performer.” By Irena Barker.