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Daily News Summary
23 July 2020

Coronavirus: A majority of British pupils have 'struggled with home learning' during lockdown
The "hidden epidemic" of racism in UK schools
Think tank calls on UK universities to 'reduce reliance on Chinese students'
Teach First graduate expected to become new schools policy adviser

Coronavirus: A majority of British pupils have 'struggled with home learning' during lockdown

 

According to a report from the Office for National Statistics, 52 per cent of British children struggled to continue learning at home during lockdown, with three quarters of parents citing a lack of motivation as a reason. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News. An article in The Telegraph also reports on the findings, which show 34 per cent of mothers believe the stress of homeschooling their children has affected their mental health. By Camilla Turner.

A report from the House of Commons public accounts committee has criticised the Government's 'lack of planning' in its approach to tackling coronavirus, adding it will be a "huge task" to ensure school closures have no long-term impact on the health and education of children and young people. By Anna Mikhailova, The Telegraph.

A written question about the reopening of state boarding schools, which was submitted by Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper, has been answered by schools minister Nick Gibb. Questions and answers are published in full online.

The House of Commons education select committee has warned the traumas children have experienced during lockdown could escalate into bad behaviour, leading to a rise in school exclusions in the next academic year. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Telegraph invites A-level students to join a live video Q&A on 12 August, where a panel of experts will offer advice to students on what to do if they do not receive the grades they want.

Oak National Academy, an online school backed by the Government, has confirmed it will make part of its service available offline to support pupils without internet access at home. By Dave Speck, Tes.

Schools Week reports two more T-level providers will be delaying their delivery of the new post-16 qualifications for at least a year due to the pandemic. By Billy Camden. According to a study from the National Foundation for Educational Research, a third of T-level providers have struggled to find industry placements for their students as a result of the disruption caused by the coronavirus. By Kate Parker, Tes.

Fabio Di Salvo, a physics teacher who will be joining Nexus International School in Singapore next term, advises those preparing to start a new teaching job abroad on how they can make the most of their time in quarantine. Tes.

 

The "hidden epidemic" of racism in UK schools

 

Aditya Chakrabortty writes in The Guardian reflecting on allegations of a culture of racism in UK schools, after a teenage activist encouraged others to share their experiences. A podcast discussing the issue in further detail can be listened to in full online.

 

Think tank calls on UK universities to 'reduce reliance on Chinese students'

 

The Onward think tank has called for a cap on the number of students each UK university can admit from a single country, warning of China's "willingness to use student income as a geopolitical bargaining tool". By Will Hazell, iNews.

 
iNews

Teach First graduate expected to become new schools policy adviser

 

Schools Week reports Will Bickford Smith, a Teach First graduate who founded the Conservative Teachers group, is set to replace Rory Gribbell as Nick Gibb's new schools adviser. By John Dickens.

 
Schools Week

 

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