The Times reports on the findings of the Independent Schools Council's (ISC) 2023 Census, which reveals record amounts are being spent on bursaries — more than £1 billion from schools themselves — and independent schools have been supporting more than 2,000 Ukrainian pupils. The figures also show the average day school fee is now £16,656 (an increase of 37 per cent from the £12,153 average in 2013), while the average boarding fee is £39,000 (41 per cent higher than the £27,600 average 10 years ago), with the rises largely reflecting government levels of wage inflation.

In a foreword to the census, ISC chairman Barnaby Lenon said independent schools were “facing many headwinds following the Covid pandemic, with economic uncertainty, rising costs and priorities such as good mental health and wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability”. By Nicola Woolcock.

Independent School Management Plus reports nearly a third of new entrants to the independent sector are transferring from state schools; the first time state schools have overtaken other independent schools as the greatest source of new entrants to the sector since records began in 2015. By Irena Barker.

As Mental Health Awareness Week continues, Inmaculada Janer, head of English at Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch, highlights how the school gives mental health the same level of attention and care as physical health.

The National Education Union (NEU) will call further teacher strikes in early July if ministers fail to settle the dispute over pay in the next month. Leaders of the union made the ultimatum following weeks of stalemate with the government after its pay offer was turned down. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

According to Tes, teachers are striking at Hutchesons’ Grammar School in what is believed to be the first strike at a Scottish independent school, with staff walking out over their removal from the Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme (STPS). The school has said it is offering “a different pension, not an inferior one” and that the STPS is being replaced with “a generous defined contribution scheme”. By Emma Seith.

A spokesperson for Pearson Edexcel has apologised to GCSE candidates for a "disappointing" 100-year error in a history exam paper which candidates say put them off. The recent paper referred to Thomas Sydenham's book Observationes Medicae being published in 1576, rather than the correct date of 1676, a difference fundamental to answering the question, one pupil said. The Telegraph.

The Times reports a SATs reading paper described by teachers and parents as too difficult contained a passage from a book aimed at older children. Schools minister Nick Gibb has promised the paper will be reviewed. By Emma Yeomans.

Mouhssin Ismail, who has been described as “Britain’s most inspiring headteacher” and is working with Eton College to open state selective schools in the North and the Midlands, has said primary school children who found the SATs reading paper too hard need to develop "exam resilience". Mr Ismail said: “Exams are meant to assess a full range of abilities, so being tough for some is absolutely right.” By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

Ministers have been urged to take action after it emerged that 125,000 pupils in England missed 50 per cent or more of school in the last autumn term, despite the lifting of pandemic restrictions. The figure was more than double that of the 2019 autumn term, when 60,200 pupils missed most of school. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

Figures published by the Department for Education (DfE) for the first time suggest more children than ever are being home-schooled in England, with some 116,300 in elective home education for a period across the 2021-22 school year. The findings have prompted ministers to launch an investigation into how many children could be missing out on education. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan has said she is "hugely proud" that more than 600,000 overseas students now come to the UK, a target that was meant to be hit by 2030 but has been achieved eight years early. By Charles Hymas, Steven Edginton and Ben Butcher, The Telegraph.

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.

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