Statistics from the Department for Education show the number of students in England's schools with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has increased for the third year in a row. By Helen Ward, Tes.

In a separate article, John Claughton, former chief master of King Edward's School and current governor of Selly Oak Trust School, highlights how children with SEND can benefit from joining the Combined Cadet Force. Tes.

The schools minister reassured fellow G7 ministers yesterday that the English education system would continue to draw upon international examples of best practice, saying "education transcends borders, nationalities and languages". By Emma Boys, Tes.

David Millar, managing director of manufacturing firm Heap & Partners, writes in The Telegraph detailing the importance of making young people aware of the benefits of pursuing a career in manufacturing.

Jamie Thom, English teacher and author of 'Slow Teaching: on finding calm, clarity and impact in the classroom', discusses the ways in which he has drawn upon research to improve his pupils' question and answer sessions. Tes.

Jess Phillips will join parent group Save Our Schools in a demonstration against funding cuts, which have resulted in some schools closing early on Fridays. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

676 state-funded schools and academies have been referred to the Health and Safety Executive for failing to provide evidence "that they were managing asbestos in line with regulatory requirements". By Frances Perraudin, The Guardian.

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.