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Daily News Summary
19 November 2020

Exams 2021: Students 'could be told GCSE and A-level topics in advance'
Coronavirus: Children have "gone backwards" during lockdown, warns Ofsted chief
Labour was wrong to suggest scrapping Ofsted, says shadow schools minister
Schools advised to consider ordering long-life products as part of no-deal Brexit preparations
Government pulls funding for projects tackling LGBT bullying
British universities have declined in employability, report finds
Russell Group analysis highlights drop in per student funding

Exams 2021: Students 'could be told GCSE and A-level topics in advance'

 

Under proposals being considered by Ofqual, exam boards could be allowed to tell schools in advance which topics will be covered in GCSE and A-level papers, enabling teachers to prepare students for particular questions. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Coronavirus: Children have "gone backwards" during lockdown, warns Ofsted chief

 

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has warned school closures have "significantly impacted" on children's development and wellbeing. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Ms Spielman has also said discussions are under way to bring inspections back next year "sensitively and sensibly and in a gradual way". By John Dickens, Schools Week.

Dame Alison Peacock, chief executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, writes in Tes arguing the return of school inspections in January 2021 "is putting unnecessary stress on our teachers, who are already carrying a great deal of anxiety".

Jon Richards, Unison's head of education, has said increased social distancing and remote learning are needed to "save Christmas" this year. By Dave Speck, Tes.

The Telegraph reports the Government has been urged to provide a roadmap for the return of children's sport. By Ben Rumsby.

Yvonne Williams, head of English and drama at a secondary school, provides five book suggestions to help teachers "escape" the pandemic. Tes.

 

Labour was wrong to suggest scrapping Ofsted, says shadow schools minister

 

Shadow schools minister Wes Streeting has said Labour should not have pledged to scrap Ofsted without making it clear it would be replaced with "something better". By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

 
Schools Week

Schools advised to consider ordering long-life products as part of no-deal Brexit preparations

 

The Independent reports on guidance from the Government which advises schools to ensure they are ready for "possible changes to their food supply chain from 1 January", when the UK leaves the single market and customs union. By Zoe Tidman.

 
The Independent

Government pulls funding for projects tackling LGBT bullying

 

BBC News reports the Government has ended its funding for a programme of workshops designed to target homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools. By Ben Hunte.

 
BBC

British universities have declined in employability, report finds

 

UK universities have been named fourth-best for employability in global rankings published by Times Higher Education, down from second place 10 years ago. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

 
The Times

Russell Group analysis highlights drop in per student funding

 

According to analysis by the Russell Group of universities, a combination of government cuts and rising inflation has contributed to a decline in per student funding. By Will Hazell, iNews.

 
iNews

 

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