Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has warned that it could take up to three years for children to catch up on their learning. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Sir Kevan Collins, the education recovery commissioner, has said that plans to extend the school day should be compulsory to "guarantee" the attendance of disadvantaged pupils. By Amy Gibbons and Catherine Lough, Tes.

The education recovery commissioner has suggested that schools could continue to host parents' evenings online after the pandemic. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

According to Schools Week, the Department for Education is considering buying up to 360,000 abacuses for schools to support maths catch-up learning. By Samantha Booth.

Neil McLennan, leadership programme director at Aberdeen University, and Dr Robert White, an education fellow at Durham University, write in The Times calling for reform to Scotland's education system, adding that the Scottish Qualifications Authority "must learn lessons from last year's ineptitude".

An anonymous secondary school headteacher in Scotland writes in Tes arguing this year's assessment system is putting "huge pressure" on teachers and students.

The education recovery commissioner has suggested that pupils who struggle academically should be allowed to spend four years doing their GCSEs, rather than two. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Andrew Copeman, an English teacher at Latymer Upper School, writes to The Times in response to William Hague's call for a 'school revolution'. He argues that "nothing can replace face-to-face teaching", adding: "Smaller class sizes would make an immediate impact on school standards." The letter is the third featured on the page.

Findings from a Tes survey suggest 33 per cent of primary school staff have come across at least one instance of sexual misconduct involving pupils at their school in the last year. By Claudia Civinini and Catherine Lough, Tes. The survey has also revealed 'concerning' levels of sexual harassment and misconduct among students in secondary schools. By Claudia Civinini and Catherine Lough, Tes.

According to separate findings from Tes, 49 per cent of teachers do not feel there is sufficient guidance for schools on how to deal with allegations of sexual harassment and abuse. By Claudia Civinini and Catherine Lough.

According to Cambridge University's annual admissions statistics, 29.3 per cent of British students admitted in 2020 were from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, and 70.6 per cent of students were educated at state schools. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced an £18 million extension of the opportunity areas programme, as well as £10 million for local authorities to help improve the quality of teaching. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Nicola Sturgeon has outlined her education pledges for the first 100 days of the new Parliament following her election as first minister. By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

The Times reports John Swinney has lost his role as Scotland's education secretary, but will remain in post as deputy first minister with a focus on COVID recovery. By Mark McLaughlin.

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.