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Daily News Summary
29 April 2019

ISC Census 2019: Further coverage
Independent school seeks help from Liverpool FC to scout talented pupils from lower income families
At least 10 independent schools in talks to pull out of TPS
Think twice before sharing family photos on social media, parents and pupils will be told
'The Scottish government is right to end private schools' tax breaks'
Independent boys' school plans to have co-ed sixth form
Further work needed to raise awareness of peer abuse, says children and families minister
Stress and hard work are part of life, says education secretary

ISC Census 2019: Further coverage

 

Over the weekend, there were further reports on the findings of this year's Independent Schools Council annual Census.

Tes details six findings and reports on the increase in the number of overseas independent school campuses.

On Saturday, letters to The Times focused on the contribution independent schools make to the UK. Authors include David James and Jane Lunnon, editors of 'The State of Independence', and Andrew Halls, head of King’s College School, Wimbledon. In today's letters to The Times, Francis Green and David Kynaston, authors of 'Engines of Privilege: Britain’s Private School Problem', write that the economic benefits of independent schools "are enjoyed only by the pupils, who go on to have privileged careers".

The Mirror reports on the disparity in funding between independent and state schools, focusing on the discount in schools' business rates bills due to their charitable status. Meanwhile, the 'Voice of The Mirror' argues for the Government 'to end the sad tale of two unequal school systems'.

In The Times today, Libby Purves argues independent schools know what works in education and should therefore 'rock the national boat' by doing more to influence the country's education system.

Martin Stephen, an author and former independent school head, writes in The Telegraph that 'an education system is not improved through abolishing its best schools'.

 

Independent school seeks help from Liverpool FC to scout talented pupils from lower income families

 

Stowe School in Gloucestershire has sought the advice of Liverpool Football Club in scouting talented children from families unable to afford the school's fees. By Nic North, The Mail on Sunday. The article quotes the school's head, Dr Anthony Wallersteiner.

 
Mail on Sunday

At least 10 independent schools in talks to pull out of TPS

 

The National Association of Head Teachers has said at least 10 independent schools are talking to the union about pulling out of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). By Jess Staufenberg, Schools Week. The article quotes the Independent Schools Council.

 
Schools Week

Think twice before sharing family photos on social media, parents and pupils will be told

 

Experts are being called in to advise parents and pupils at schools in membership of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference that sharing family photos on social media can put children at risk. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

 
The Sunday Times

'The Scottish government is right to end private schools' tax breaks'

 

James McEnaney, a journalist, FE lecturer and former teacher, argues in favour of the Scottish government's plans to withdraw tax breaks from Scotland’s independent schools. Tes.

 
Tes

Independent boys' school plans to have co-ed sixth form

 

St Paul’s School may be planning to admit girls in the sixth form, according to The Sunday Times. By Sian Griffiths. The article quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council.

 
The Sunday Times

Further work needed to raise awareness of peer-on-peer abuse, says children and families minister

 

Nadhim Zahawi MP, the children and families minister, has expressed concern at the lack of awareness about new peer-on-peer abuse guidance. By Will Hazell, Tes.

 
Tes

Stress and hard work are part of life, says education secretary

 

The education secretary, Damian Hinds MP, has defended his view on testing - writing in The Sunday Times that exams help pupils to develop “resilience and coping mechanisms”.

 
The Sunday Times

 

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

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