There has been ongoing debate following the Government’s proposals on relationships and sex education in schools. During a discussion in the House of Lords yesterday, Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association, noted 'the wide support that independent schools have given to the proposals'.

The Independent reports that the Government has confirmed children aged 15 and over will be able to opt into sex education lessons regardless of their parents' wishes. By Eleanor Busby.

According to The Telegraph, campaigners have labelled the proposals a "state takeover" of relationships and sex education. By Charles Hymas. The paper also features two commentaries on the topic. Maria Lally welcomes the updated sex education statutory guidelines, while Joanna Williams suggests the guidance could 'trigger a host of problems'.

Writing in The Times, Melanie Phillips warns of the impact the new curriculum could have once it is rolled out in September next year.

The Guardian has invited teachers and students to share their views on whether children should be allowed to take time off school to protest about issues they feel passionate about. By Donna Ferguson. The article quotes Toby Spence, head of Sibford School.

Figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency have revealed the number of UK undergraduate students at Oxford and Cambridge universities has fallen, while the number of overseas undergraduate students has risen. By Sean Coughlan, BBC News.

A consultation is being launched by Ofqual over the way in which awarding organisations manage exam and assessment centres. By George Ryan, Tes.

Exam board AQA has offered tips to help ensure GCSE science students are prepared for this year's exams. By Julian Clarke, Tes.

The Guardian reports on the number of places grammar schools are providing for disadvantaged children. By Fran Abrams.

Lawyers acting for families of children with learning disabilities say consideration is being given to launching a judicial review for a new law on pupil restraint. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Renaissance UK has produced a league table showing the 'easiest' and 'most difficult' books for children. By Dave Speck, 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.