A report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), on disadvantage gaps in England, has recommended that family incomes data should be connected to pupil attainment statistics in order to track outcomes for children who are 'persistently disadvantaged'. The EPI's figures have shown the greatest increase in the GCSE attainment gap between poor pupils and their peers in 2021 since 2011. By Amy Walker, Schools Week.

Tes reports that the EPI has also recommended the introduction of a student premium based on previous free school meal status for A-level students. By Callum Mason.

Writing in Tes, Emily Hunt, associate director at the EPI, says "we urgently need a credible cross-government child poverty strategy to tackle the social determinants of educational inequalities".

A report from the children's commissioner, Rachel de Souza, includes recommendations for policymakers “with the aim of removing the stigma around getting help”. The Telegraph has seen a preview of the report, in which councils are being urged to stop using 'technocratic' language and stop calling parents and children “services users”. By Gabriella Swerling, The Telegraph.

Susan Lapworth, chief executive of the Office for Students (OFS), has called for equality laws to no longer be used by universities as an excuse to restrict free speech. Ms Lapworth added that the regulator's new guidance underlines the “importance of universities really understanding the nature of that free speech duty, alongside their equality duties”. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

In a letter published in today's Times, Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research (CEER) at the University of Buckingham, urges the Education Select Committee to conduct an inquiry into Ofsted inspections in light of the recent downgrading of some schools. The letter appears below halfway.

A YouGov poll of 1,090 voters aged over 16 has found that teachers have the support of 60 per cent of the public for strike action. The poll, commissioned by The Times, asked respondents if they support or oppose teachers in Scotland going on strike over pay. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

Kate Parker explores the findings of recent research by the University of Vermont that has suggested video gaming can have a positive effect on young people’s cognition. Tes.

The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has called for schools to use new lessons on gambling and gaming awareness for pupils aged 11 to 14. Some schools in Northern Ireland are already using lessons created by the Gambling with Lives charity to make children aware of the harm that can be caused by gambling. By Robbie Meredith, BBC News.

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