ISC Daily News Summary

Teachers are opting out of saving for their retirement owing to cost of living concerns, according to the School Teachers' Review Body. iNews reports that most people in the private sector have to pay in five per cent of their salary to be auto-enrolled in a pension, whereas teachers must pay between 7.4 and 12 per cent – or opt out entirely. By Callum Mason. 

Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, asked Bridget Phillipson whether she has visited any independent schools since 5 July 2024. In a separate question, Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth Dr Luke Evans asked the education secretary if she will list the independent schools she has visited since that date. Schools minister Stephen Morgan responded, referring to a previous answer in which he said: "The Secretary of State for Education prioritises visits to state schools, which serve 93% of pupils in England. The Secretary of State for Education and the wider ministerial team visit a wide variety of education settings, including to private schools." Hansard.

Union leaders have warned ministers that schools "do not have time to make up the education lost to fatigue and hunger", amid reports the government's child poverty strategy has been delayed. Pepe Di'lasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "Child poverty has a devastating impact on both welfare and education and the longer that action is delayed the worse these problems will become." By Jack Dyson, Schools Week. 

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are missing lessons because they cannot afford uniforms, food, trips and transport, according to a report from the Child Poverty Action Group. A survey commissioned by the charity found that 16 per cent of all pupils said they had missed school at least once because they did not have something they needed, with the figure increasing to 26 per cent among children who are eligible for free school meals. Tes.

Government guidance encouraging schools in England to serve children meat at least three times a week should be changed to increase the consumption of vegetables and legumes, according to the Food Foundation. A report published by the charity has found that children eat proportionally more processed meat than adults, and that 80 per cent of the most commonly eaten meat dishes in schools are either processed or red meat. Rebecca Tobi from the Food Foundation said changes to the rules "would let caterers offer more beans, pulses, wholegrains, and vegetables - improving health and cutting costs". By Tobi Thomas, The Guardian. 

Lewis Hamilton has urged the UK government to implement educational reform, as new findings highlight the concerns of young students and those from a vulnerable background. The Formula 1 world champion's foundation, Mission 44, launched a campaign last year focusing on the high rates of suspensions and exclusions across the country. According to a new survey, 41 per cent of young people say their school/college has not shown concern for their worries or wellbeing - and the figure rises to 64 per cent for those with a disability. Mr Hamilton is quoted in The Independent, saying: "I remember the challenges I faced at school... I was made to feel like I didn’t belong and that I didn’t matter. Today young people across the country, especially the most vulnerable students, are saying they feel the same way, and they need something to change. We need to listen and do all we can to ensure their experiences lead to the feeling of inclusion." By Kieran Jackson.