The removal of charitable rates relief in 2020 may result in Scottish independent schools becoming more elitist and scaling back their work within local communities, and some may even face closure, according to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). By Mark McLaughlin, The Times. The article features quotes from John Edward, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, and Liam Harvey, head of St Mary's School in Melrose.

A written question about the effect of Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funding on collaboration between maintained and independent schools, which was submitted by Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association, has been answered by schools minister Lord Agnew. Questions and answers are published in full online.

Over the last five years, 61% of independent schools have been targeted by cyber criminals, according to research conducted by Endsleigh Insurance Services. Education Technology. The article quotes John Murphie, COO at the Independent Schools' Bursars Association.

The Teaching and Learning International Survey (Talis), conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), found the frequency of bullying in England's schools "has almost doubled in five years", and levels of cyber bullying in secondary schools are the highest compared to those in other countries. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

According to figures gathered by Newsnight, more than 1,500 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are not currently in school, with some waiting up to two years for a place. By Elizabeth Glinka, BBC News.

Kate Clanchy, teacher and author of 'Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me', describes her experiences working with challenging students deemed too disruptive for school classrooms. iNews.

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