Following an article in The Times towards the end of December, about independent schools having declined an offer of ethnically-restricted bursary funding, the paper reports on comments made by a former Labour MP and multi-academy trust leader, Frank Field, who has described the schools as "racist" for turning down the offer. By Dominic Kennedy. The article quotes a spokesman for Winchester College and Dr Joseph Spence, master of Dulwich College.

Dr Spence writes in The Times saying: "I believe potential applicants and their parents and carers will value the fact that every award will be open to everyone, irrespective of race." The letter can be found half-way down the page.

A number of state school headteachers have said they would welcome the financial assistance offered by philanthropist Sir Bryan Thwaites to help disadvantaged white British pupils. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

According to figures obtained by The Independent, the number of disadvantaged children sitting the 11-plus exam has risen by just 3.8 per cent in the last year, leading some to claim the Government's attempt to boost social mobility through existing grammar schools has "failed". By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

BBC News reports the number of primary school exclusions for racism in England has risen by more than 40 per cent since 2006-07. By Frankie McCamley, BBC News.

According to Government statistics taken for two school terms in 2018-19, more than 630,000 pupils in England missed at least half a day of lessons due to unauthorised absence. By Victoria Ward, The Telegraph.

Jody Wells, headmaster at Forres Sandle Manor School, writes in IE Today explaining how the school's approach to pupil development prepares children for the future. The article quotes Toby Smith, head of English at King's College, Taunton, Matthew Harris, head of theology, philosophy and ethics at Cheltenham College and Chris Barnes, assistant head (pupil progress) at Cheltenham College.

The Times reports parents in some of London's wealthiest areas are hiring ex-military bodyguards to protect their children at the school gates. By Tom Ball. The article quotes Magoo Giles, principal and founder of Knightsbridge School.

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