In the next "myth-busting" blog, Tracey Wilson, the headmistress of St John's Priory School, helps to debunk the idea that “all private schools are alike”.

Research commissioned by the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) has found that playing sport in the run up to exams will have no negative effects on a teenager's results. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph. The article quotes David Elstone, head of Hymers College in Hull and chair of HMC’s sports sub-committee.

Claire Osborn, vice chair of the Independent Schools Association and head of Braeside and Normanhurst School, writes about the positive contribution independent schools make to lives "within and beyond our school communities". Independent Schools Magazine.

Ed Dorrell writes in Tes about the challenges facing the independent sector, arguing 'the sector is losing the battle for hearts and minds among both the ruling classes and the aspirant middle classes'.

The essay can be found in The State of Independence: Key challenges facing private schools today, which is edited by Jane Lunnon and David James.

A consultation by the Girlguiding organisation, has found young women and girls worry most about climate change and sexual harassment. By Amy Walker, The Guardian.

The World Health Organisation has advised parents to ban children under the age of two from screen time. By Chris Smyth, The Times.

The Commons Education Select Committee has been told that councils are placing "hurdles" in front of parents who are seeking support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 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.

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.