ISC Daily News Summary

Addressing MPs on the Commons Education Select Committee yesterday, Lucy Powell set out the government's position on a number of issues, which included the timeline for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms. Following reports that important updates to SEND reforms were unlikely to be published until early 2027, the education secretary told MPs the government would publish the SEND reform bill, the DfE's full policy response to the consultation and the national inclusion standards "very early in the new year". By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

Antisemitism by a child "in and of itself" should not require a referral to the Prevent programme, according to Department for Education (DfE) guidance for teachers. The document, released last month, urges teachers to refer pupils to the anti-extremism scheme only if anti-Jewish views are expressed as part of a "broader extremist world-view". The Telegraph reports that sources close to Lucy Powell, the education secretary, insisted it was the correct advice for safeguarding staff at schools, colleges and universities, saying antisemitic views on their own were not necessarily a matter for Prevent. By Amy Gibbons.

Following ministers' acceptance of Sir David Bell's recommendation that schools record antisemitic incidents under a specific category, Tes looks at the practical implications for schools. By Jasmine Norden.

Children as young as 10 are to be taught how to avoid online sextortion by scammers under a scheme supported by the Home Office. Specialist lessons will provide 10- to 18-year-olds and their families with advice on identifying fraudsters and the methods used to target teenagers. Pupils will learn that being scammed is not their fault and that they should tell a trusted adult immediately, rather than pay the ransom or hide the threat. By Charles Hymas, The Telegraph.

More than 300,000 files were stolen from Bristol City Council's school network and published online, an investigation has revealed. The council, whose investigation is ongoing, believes the data theft affected 39 schools that use the authority's IT network. In addition to providing schools and parents with guidance on cyber security, the council is also urging families to carefully monitor online accounts and bank statements for any unusual activity. By Abigail Imas, Tes.

Labour MP Emily Darlington has told BBC News she is concerned about the amount of time primary school pupils are spending on TT Rockstars, a game designed to make learning times tables fun. Ms Darlington said the app and others like it could be harming children's development as it rewards them for "length of time rather than quality of time spent online". The comments come as ministers draw up guidelines for schools and parents on the amount of time 5- to 16-year-olds should spend on screens. By Brian Wheeler and Marthe de Ferrer.