Attendance figures from the Department for Education show four per cent of schools were not fully open last Thursday due to confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases, up from one per cent the previous week. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

iNews reports schools are set to receive more coronavirus tests in the coming weeks to cope with increasing demand from pupils falling ill. By Jane Merrick.

An article in BBC News highlights concerns among school bus drivers about a lack of social distancing on busy services, with many children reported to not be wearing masks. By Becky Morton.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said a national taskforce is needed to help "close the education gap at every stage in a child's development", amid concerns over the loss of learning caused by the pandemic. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

IE Today reports on new poll findings which suggest 64 per cent of families with an income greater than £60,000 are considering moving their children to independent schools as a result of lockdown. By Julian Owen.

An article in The Telegraph reports the Government has launched a new online fitness platform designed to help school staff deliver at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day for pupils amid lockdown restrictions. By Jeremy Wilson.

Tes summarises government guidance for schools on how to use the new NHS COVID-19 app. By Amy Gibbons.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, described proposals for online GCSE tests as "pie in the sky", as he raised questions over how exam conditions could be translated into an online format. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.