Pupils are downloading artificial intelligence (AI) apps specifically designed to create naked images and then sharing the pictures with their friends, a report from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has warned. The report, which will advise teachers on how to deal with the issue of pupils sharing such images, has also found that organised crime gangs are using the apps to blackmail young people. By Joe Pinkstone, The Telegraph.

Mobile phones are disrupting lessons on a “scale many parents cannot imagine”, according to the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA). Three quarters of teachers who responded to a survey by the union said pupils' use of mobile phones interrupts most or all of their lessons. A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned with reference to their policies on mobile phone usage. By Helen Puttick, The Times.

A record number of pupils were absent from at least half of school in the summer term last year, new figures from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) have revealed. Almost 160,000 children missed 50 per cent or more of time in class, up 12 per cent on the previous term and over 160 per cent since before the Covid pandemic. By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Ollie Corfe, The Telegraph.

Ben Horan, headteacher of Prior Park College, has a letter published in The Times, calling for the government to take action on vaping. Noting the "explosion" in the use of vapes among teenagers in recent years, Mr Horan concludes: "Any MP who fails to support restrictions on vaping is guilty of gambling with the health of a generation."

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.