Figures from UCAS show that 40% of all school leavers in England have applied for university places this year, while the number of students applying in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland has fallen. BBC News.

The Telegraph reports on the UCAS findings, which also show the number of Chinese students applying to British universities has increased by 30 per cent since last year. By Camilla Turner.

Writing in the Daily Record, Darren McGarvey argues that while independent schools "should be mandated to take on more children from poorer backgrounds", addressing inadequately resourced state schools should be the priority.

Writing in the New Statesman, head of King's College School, Andrew Halls, argues his previous article was not an attack on state schools, reiterating that "the best approach is to look rationally at how we can improve the lives of all schoolchildren". The letter is the third to feature on the page.

The Daily Mail reports on the school funding crisis, claiming Philip Hammond has said future funding "won't be in the region of £27 billion". It is believed the latest funding request from Number 10 is for £3 billion. By Jack Doyle.

A survey conducted by the NSPCC children's charity and the National Education Union has found 47 per cent of teachers lack confidence in their own ability to teach the new relationships and sex education curriculum. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Findings from reports collated by Fresh Student Living suggest that 46 per cent of HR professionals are more likely to employ a graduate with gap year experience, whether that involves independent travel or working overseas. Education Executive.

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