ISC Daily News Summary

The Children’s Commissioner for England has warned of a children’s mental health crisis after young people spent the pandemic “isolated and indoors”. Dame Rachel de Souza's comments come after research found more than 270,000 children and young people referred to children’s mental health services in 2022-23 were still waiting for support at the end of that period. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

Pupils who experience loneliness at the age of 12 are less likely to have successful careers, according to a study by King's College London and the University of Greenwich. The research indicates that loneliness in early life “may have direct costs to the economy” as a result of reduced employability and social position. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

Tes exclusively reports that the AQA will look into how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to provide “quality assurance” to human marking in a trial this summer. England's biggest exam board will use data from this year’s GCSE and A-level exams to identify to what extent marks given by AI match those of senior markers. By Cerys Turner.

Outgoing ASCL general secretary Geoff Barton is to lead a commission on oracy to build a blueprint for a “national entitlement” across “all stages” of education in England. Schools Week reports that the commission is likely to influence Labour's thinking on the issue. By Freddie Whittaker. 

The Telegraph explores the provision of school meals in England, following criticism by one headteacher of the food served at his school. Campaigners that include Henry Dimbleby, author of the government's School Food Plan, have questioned the quality of meals provided by large catering companies and the lack of regulation in this area. By Charlotte Lytton.

Gemma Ball, Classics teacher at Bolton School Girls’ Division, talks about how she has brought the subject to life through teaching workshops and Greek theatre, sharing her passion for the ancient world with BSGD pupils and local partner schools.