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Daily News Summary
14 June 2023

Education secretary initiates call for evidence on AI in schools
Inquiry into Ofsted inspections launched by ministers
Independent schools 'should stand up to the pressure to modernise', says Katharine Birbalsingh
Diet coaches for two-year-olds in new drive against obesity
Are pupils really ‘catching’ syndromes from content they view online?
In conversation with Niamh Green, Roedean School's new head

Education secretary initiates call for evidence on AI in schools

 

Gillian Keegan will tell the London Tech Week conference that she wishes to “kick start a conversation” with experts on using generative artificial intelligence (AI) in a “safe and secure way”. The education secretary will say she believes teachers’ daily work could be “transformed” by the emerging technology, though the standard is not yet there. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

Writing in The Independent, schools minister Baroness Barran recognises the dangers posed by AI, but says that new technologies could help teachers to manage their workloads more effectively, and even give pupils personalised feedback on their work. Baroness Barran refers to AI as the "magic at our fingertips", available to both staff and students.

 

Inquiry into Ofsted inspections launched by ministers

 

An inquiry into Ofsted's school inspections, looking at how useful they are to parents, governors and schools in England, has been launched by MPs. Ofsted has welcomed the inquiry, which follows the death of headteacher Ruth Perry earlier this year and the subsequent debate about how the inspectorate works. By Branwen Jeffreys and Alice Evans, BBC News.

 
BBC

Independent schools 'should stand up to the pressure to modernise', says Katharine Birbalsingh

 

Addressing an education conference at Downe House, former chair of the Social Mobility Commission Katharine Birbalsingh told delegates she is not against independent schools but believes they are too caught up with social justice problems, adding: "The best thing you in the private sector can do to help state schools is set the tone, defend traditional behaviour systems, teaching methods and values." By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

 
The Times

Diet coaches for two-year-olds in new drive against obesity

 

Health officials are set to announce that around 3,000 families will be given help from specialist clinics on overhauling their diet and lifestyles, after a tripling in hospital admissions linked to obesity. As part of the move, children as young as two could receive help from diet coaches. By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph.

 
The Telegraph

Are pupils really ‘catching’ syndromes from content they view online?

 

A recent rise in a variety of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions has been attributed, in some cases, to social media-driven 'copycat' behaviour. Tes speaks to experts to see if children really are ‘catching’ syndromes from each other, and the content they are viewing online. By Helen Amass.

 
Tes

In conversation with Niamh Green, Roedean School's new head

 

Independent School Management Plus features an interview with Roedean School's new head, Niamh Green, discussing her plans for the school as she succeeds the 10-year headship of Oliver Blond who expanded day places and doubled the number of students to 700. Ms Green says: "We can’t be resting on our laurels as the world is constantly evolving." By Irena Barker.

 
Independent School Management Plus

 

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