Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, is reportedly expected to approve COVID vaccines for children aged 12 to 15 next week. By Chris Smyth and Kat Lay, The Times.

According to new research from the US, teenage boys are six times more likely to suffer heart problems from the vaccine than be hospitalised from COVID-19. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Shadow education secretary Kate Green has called for face coverings to be made mandatory again in communal spaces in secondary schools. By Lizzy Buchan, The Mirror.

A new study has found that two thirds of young people say they will be permanently disadvantaged as a result of the pandemic. By Thomas Kingsley, The Independent.

According to Tes, the Department for Education has no plans to replace Sir Kevan Collins as education recovery commissioner. By Catherine Lough and Amy Gibbons.

The NASUWT has accused the Government of "squeezing out" skilled supply teachers by offering COVID catch-up tutoring "on the cheap". By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

Nicola Tarmey, an associate at law firm VWV, writes in Tes outlining the legal position for schools if a parent refuses to send their child in citing COVID safety concerns.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has urged universities to provide face-to-face teaching when students return this term. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

In the latest instalment of the ISC's 'Spotlight On' series, Ed Vainker, CEO at Reach Academy, Feltham, joins deputy heads Mark Nicholson and Amanda Poyner, from Hampton School and Lady Eleanor Holles School respectively, to discuss how a pioneering partnership led to the creation of a new sixth form college.

If your school has a partnership project or outreach initiative you would like us to share as part of the 'Spotlight On' series, please email emily.roberts@isc.co.uk.

Schools Week reports no independent school pupils sat the national reference test (NRT) this year. By Samantha Booth. The article quotes Sarah Raffray, head of St Augustine's Priory, and Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council.

The education secretary has warned some universities risk 'undermining public confidence' by "pursuing a divisive agenda involving cancelling national heroes, debating about statues, anonymous reporting schemes for so-called microaggressions and politicising their curricula". By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

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