ISC Daily News Summary

Harrogate Ladies’ College will begin admitting boys from September next year and rebrand as Duchy College, bringing to an end over 130 years as a girls-only school. Principal Joanna Fox is quoted in The Times, saying: "Our ethos is the reason many parents choose our school for their children, and it is the reason we are regularly asked by parents of boys about joining our senior school. We are excited about being able to extend our provision to all children and parents in the future." The paper reports that the school's boarding numbers have declined, reflecting the national picture, and that the move to co-education will boost the school's future finances. The new name of Duchy College was chosen because the school is in the area of Harrogate belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster. Several other schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Nicola Woolcock.

The height of car bonnets in new vehicles across the UK and Europe is steadily increasing, according to a report by the advocacy group Transport & Environment. It found that the average bonnet height of new cars sold in Europe rose from 77cm in 2010 to 84cm last year, presenting a "clear and growing threat to public safety, especially for children". In crashes, high-bonneted sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are more likely to hit the vital organs in the core of adults’ bodies and the heads of children. The study also revealed that drivers of the tallest cars were unable to see children as old as nine when they stood directly in front of the vehicle. By Damian Carrington, The Guardian. 

Union leaders have criticised a "reckless" move by Ofsted to delay revealing its report card plan until the autumn, which they say will leave schools facing a "nonsensical" timeline for the roll-out of new inspections. The inspectorate had planned to publish its response to the consultation to reform inspections in the summer, before introducing the new inspections in November. But it announced yesterday that the response will not be ready for publication until "early September". In a letter to Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver, Bridget Phillipson said the delay was "disappointing". By Lydia Chantler-Hicks, Schools Week.

Rona Wignall, a music teacher at Radnor House Sevenoaks, has been selected to represent Great Britain in the Underwater Hockey World Championship Qualifiers in the Netherlands this summer. She is now fundraising to cover the cost of taking part, with her expenses for the event expected to surpass £2,000. Speaking to BBC News, Ms Wignall said: "My school are great about it – it can be tricky but sometimes I can go and train and release all my stress." She added: "It's a privilege to be able to train and play for your country." By Patrick Barlow.