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Daily News Summary
6 November 2020

Exams 2021: Ofqual calls for 'more generous' grade boundaries next year
Coronavirus: Almost half of teachers are concerned about COVID safety in schools, findings suggest
BAME pupils 'disheartened by lack of representation' in the GCSE curriculum, MPs told
'We should design the primary-secondary transition out of the education system'
A closer look at affordable catchment areas for good schools
Britain drops down global list of average heights 'due to poor nutrition'

Exams 2021: Ofqual calls for 'more generous' grade boundaries next year

 

Dame Glenys Stacey, the Ofqual chief executive, has said GCSE and A-level grade boundaries could be lowered in 2021 "to recognise and to compensate for the baleful impact of the pandemic". By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

According to a report from the London School of Economics' Centre for Economic Performance, 74 per cent of parents of school aged children believe next year's exams should be altered to make up for lost learning. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Schools Week reports Ofqual has confirmed exam boards can allow teachers to conduct "one-off assessment opportunities" to test pupils' spoken languages in GCSE modern foreign language subjects next year. By Freddie Whittaker.

 

Coronavirus: Almost half of teachers are concerned about COVID safety in schools, findings suggest

 

According to a poll of almost 7,500 NASUWT members, 46 per cent are concerned the COVID safety measures in their schools are inadequate. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, writes in The Telegraph arguing "we have both a medical and moral imperative to keep children active" during lockdown.

Schools Week reports the Government is yet to pay out almost £50 million claimed by schools to cover "exceptional costs" incurred due to the pandemic. By James Carr.

An article in Schools Week reports Ofsted inspections could return in January 2021 without grades being issued to schools. By James Carr.

 

BAME pupils 'disheartened by lack of representation' in the GCSE curriculum, MPs told

 

Tes reports MPs have been told that a number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students are dropping out of GCSE subjects "because they don't see themselves, or they see themselves reflected so negatively in the curriculum".

Dominique Dalais, head of physical and health education, and racial equity facilitator at ACS Egham International School, writes in Tes advocating BAME equity in schools, adding "international schools can play their part in this push for system-level change".

 

'We should design the primary-secondary transition out of the education system'

 

Melvyn Roffe, principal of George Watson's College in Edinburgh, writes in Tes advocating the end of the 'hard stop' between primary and secondary education.

 
Tes

A closer look at affordable catchment areas for good schools

 

The Times offers a guide to some of the best value areas in England with top performing primary and secondary schools. By Melissa York. The article mentions several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

 
The Times

Britain drops down global list of average heights 'due to poor nutrition'

 

According to a global study led by Imperial College London, British teenagers are no longer growing as tall as those in some European countries due to poor diet. By Katie Gibbons, The Times.

 
The Times

 

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