Eton College and multi-academy trust Star Academies, which runs 33 academies across the country, have launched an education think tank to help high-achieving young people access courses and qualifications to fulfil their potential. The Eton Star Partnership will commission research reports, the first of which has been published today, and will create a learning exchange to share best practice across the sector. Speaking to Tes, headmaster of Eton College Simon Henderson said: “The Eton Star Partnership will be a wonderful example of leading players in the state sector and the independent sector working together to increase educational opportunities for young people.” By John Roberts. 

One in four children starting school in England and Wales are not toilet-trained, according to teachers who responded to a survey by Kindred2. The early years charity polled 1,000 primary school staff, half of whom said problems with school readiness have got worse in the last 18 months, with school staff doing more of the work to prepare pupils that parents would once have done. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

Ahead of the nationwide launch of the wraparound childcare programme this autumn, the Department for Education has published guidance for schools on how to respond to requests for more on-site provision. Schools Week outlines the key points, which include considerations for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Schools are advised that “any wraparound and holiday childcare you consider is suitable for all children in the school”, including those with SEND. By Jack Dyson. 

In light of Labour’s plans to introduce new approaches to tackling online misogyny and sexual harassment, Margaret Mulholland writes in Tes suggesting schools teach media literacy to help address the issue. She says: "We must act now and not simply try to police the problem away with yet more calls for banning phones." Margaret Mulholland is the special educational needs and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders. 

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music has announced it will soon start charging £3 for paper certificates in a bid to “further safeguard our certificates against fraud and maintain standards and confidence in our exams”. It also said the decision was made to reduce transport and paper use and "help us to achieve our sustainability goals". By Camilla Tominey, The Telegraph.

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