ISC Daily News Summary
- Minister promises change after 'shocking scale' of antisemitism in schools revealed
- Schools warn of SEND staff cuts as council moves to clear EHCP backlog
- Only one female scientist named in GCSEs, research reveals
- The importance of striking the right balance when choosing a child's school
- The History Boys set to return to London stage for rare revival
Minister promises change after 'shocking scale' of antisemitism in schools revealed
AntisemitismLucy Powell, the education secretary, has confirmed the government intends to accept all 27 recommendations of Sir David Bell's report into antisemitism in schools. Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, she said the review has revealed the "shocking scale" of the issue in Britain, and vowed that "change will come". Ms Powell added that all children and teachers should be able to go to school or college "free from fear" and insisted that tackling antisemitism is a "generational challenge". Welcoming the plans for more training, resources and support for schools regarding antisemitism, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, is quoted in The Independent saying headteachers "take their responsibility to create safe and inclusive environments for pupils and staff extremely seriously and support meaningful action to tackle it". By Millie Cooke. Also reported by Judith Moritz and Daniel Wittenberg for BBC News.
In a letter to The Times, Laurence Wolff, son of Holocaust survivor Professor Heinz Wolff, says he has "mixed feelings" about Sir David Bell's review. Much as he welcomes efforts to strengthen Holocaust education, he warns against it becoming a repetitive "tick-box activity" and stresses that schools should focus on tackling the "real causes of the current antisemitism crisis". The letter appears halfway down the page.
Schools warn of SEND staff cuts as council moves to clear EHCP backlog
SENDSchools will have to cut special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support staff in order to fund a share of the teacher's pay rise, teachers have warned. In an extensive article looking at the issue of SEND funding, iNews speaks to numerous headteachers and school leaders who warn that despite suggestions the pay rise is "fully funded", many schools will still need to source funds to top up the 3.5 per cent pay award. In a letter to Lucy Powell, seen by the paper, shadow education secretary Laura Trott echoed the concerns and warned that some schools will be left short. Demanding to know whether they will be given funds to cover the gap, she said: "While savings may average out nationally, this does not mean that every school or trust will have sufficient savings to cover its increased pay bill." By Caroline Wheeler and Connie Dimsdale.
BBC News reports that Cambridgeshire County Council is planning to spend £2 million to address its growing assessment backlog for children with SEND. The council said hundreds of children had been waiting almost two years for education, health and care plan (EHCP) assessments, and a council report shows that between January and July this year, the authority received 1,459 requests for EHCP assessments but issued 675. Final approval for the funding will be decided today. By Kate Moser Andon.
Only one female scientist named in GCSEs, research reveals
ExaminationsRosalind Franklin is the only female scientist named in GCSE and National 5 science exam specifications in the UK, according to new research by the University of Cambridge. It found that of the 86 scientists named by UK exam boards, the English chemist, whose work in the 1950s helped reveal the structure of DNA, was the only woman. The academics, along with institutions in the US and Australia, looked at how many women were mentioned in specifications for biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, geology and astronomy, across six exam boards in the UK. At Key Stage 4 and equivalent, including GCSEs and National 5s in Scotland, Ms Franklin was the only woman among the 86 scientists mentioned. By Hazel Shearing, BBC News. Additional reporting by Marthe de Ferrer and Rahib Khan.
The importance of striking the right balance when choosing a child's school
General educationWriting in The Sunday Times, clinical psychologist Tara Porter argues that the most academically successful school may not be the best fit for every child. Urging parents to consider wellbeing, school culture and the balance between challenge and support when looking at educational choices, she warns that excessive academic pressure can undermine both learning and mental health. With a balance of "warmth, interest and support rather than pressure, over-involvement and control", Ms Porter says "children can do well whichever school they end up at".
The History Boys set to return to London stage for rare revival
And finallyThe History Boys, Alan Bennett's play focusing on a group of grammar school pupils preparing for Oxbridge exams and their relationships with their teachers, is due to open at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in April. Its director Nicholas Hytner told The Times that while it would be "specious" to claim the play was being brought back in direct response to debates about the quality of education in Britain, the context did "make the play a really exciting thing to do again". By David Sanderson.