ISC Daily News Summary

Some UK independent schools have said they are seeing more interest from families based in the Gulf amid the conflict in the Middle East. Speaking to the Financial Times, Simon Brian, head of St Leonards in St Andrews, said: "People are talking about regional instability, the disruption of school closures and the shift to online learning. There has been a clear spike of interest from the Middle East." He added: "It is quite unusual - we are seeing interest like never before." Commenting on the issue, Lorraine Davidson, chief executive of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), said: "All of our schools are very welcoming of people forced to move because of a change of circumstances." By Simeon Kerr.

Education leaders have expressed serious concerns about ministers' plans to create specialist provision packages, which they fear could lead to pupils "falling through the gaps". The packages are set to be a key new element of the government's reformed special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, and will underpin the support available for children with the most complex requirements. With the consultation on the plans closing in just over a week, sector leaders have warned that the "bizarre" proposals could see pupils put together who have very disparate needs. Leaders have also stressed that the packages should not be limited by local funding pressures. By John Roberts, Tes.

Ministers have launched a new advice service for schools on how to handle cyber attacks, amid concerns education is "disproportionately targeted" but has weaker defences than other sectors. A presentation on the Department for Education (DfE)'s Cyber Security Hub, an online service aiming to give schools clear, practical guidance to help improve their IT security, was delivered at the Schools and Academies Show. It includes resources and advice on how to create a cyber support plan along with a template, and information for staff in response to specific cyber attacks. By Esmé Kenney, Schools Week.

Blueprints of the delayed regional plans forming part of Labour’s RISE school improvement programme are to be unveiled this term, Douglas Leckie of the DfE said at the Schools and Academies Show yesterday. Ministers had originally targeted an autumn release date for the proposals, which will outline "regional priorities" bespoke to each area. Mr Leckie told delegates the "core of the plans" will be to explain how each region will deliver on the government’s national priorities, including attainment, attendance, inclusive mainstream and reception-year quality. By Jack Dyson, Schools Week. 

Sir Mo Farah and more than 70 leading UK sporting bodies are calling for the government to rethink potential £120 million cuts to school sports in England. The 76 sporting bodies, which include ParalympicsGB, British Rowing and Aquatics GB, said there is "deep concern" over the proposed cuts. Sir Mo added: "I hope the government listens to leading voices and quickly confirms current spending levels on PE and school sport will be maintained." A funding decision is expected next week. By Jessica Elgot, The Guardian. 

In the latest ISC blog, Niamh Green, headmistress of Roedean School, explains how an innovative whole-school approach to careers education is preparing girls for the changing world of work. Ms Green says it is vital that young people are given "early, meaningful exposure" to working life alongside "an understanding of how they can contribute", adding: "Schools must now play a role in providing these opportunities."

In this week's Friday Feature, we spotlight The Leys School, which is currently running a term-long trial of the Inkling AI Avatar Tutor with a Year 10 English class studying Of Mice and Men.

Led by the school's head of digital learning, Peter Hicks, and head of English, Paula Stones, the initiative forms part of the school’s wider exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance teaching and learning.

As one of only 10 schools initially involved in the national pilot, the programme has since been opened to schools across the UK. The pupils involved use Inkling once a week during their prep time, and spend 15 minutes in conversation with an AI avatar tutor. Guided by teacher-designed prompts around the text, the avatar questions, challenges and offers hints, which helps pupils refine their ideas without providing answers. Teachers later review the interactions against GCSE assessment objectives, giving valuable formative insight. The aim is to deepen textual understanding, strengthen analysis, and support progress towards exam-style writing.

Praising the initiative, Peter Hicks said: "Our trial of Inkling is enabling us to explore how and where AI can be used to best effect within the curriculum to support pupils’ learning. It’s been fantastic to see how pupils have engaged positively with using AI in this truly innovative way and how it’s been leading them to develop their own understanding of the text."

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