The Department for Education (DfE) has published its consultation response to planned changes to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS). The Government has stated it will “consider allowing independent schools to leave the scheme via phased withdrawal”. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The article quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council. Read the ISC's full statement.

Tes also reports on this story, quoting Mike Buchanan, executive director of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

In the next installment of the ISC myth-busting blogs, the head of Colfe's School in London, Richard Russell, counters the view that “independent schools operate in their own little bubbles”.

Schools Week reports on a 40 per cent rise in the number of appeals against GCSE and A-level exam grades in 2018. By Freddie Whittaker.

Lord Agnew will suggest to the Home Office that teachers of modern foreign languages (MFL) should be given higher priority for visas. By Will Hazell, Tes.

Research has found parents in the most affluent areas of England have greater success in getting a school place on appeal. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

Tony Parkin, an education technologist, is unconvinced that the Government's edtech strategy stands up to scrutiny. Schools Week.

The Government has acted to ensure that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, qualifications obtained by European teachers will still be recognised in the UK. By Will Hazell, Tes.

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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