Oona Carlin, head of Ipswich High School, responds to comments made by Michael Gove MP, who said he wanted private education to become an 'increasingly eccentric choice'. In her response, Ms Carlin highlights the benefits of independent schools for children, communities and the country. Independent Schools Magazine.

The education secretary, Damian Hinds MP, has endorsed the trend of having "wellbeing dogs" in the classroom, which can help children who feel anxious or suffer from mental health problems. By Rosemary Bennett, The Times.

Do you have animals at your school, which help with pupil wellbeing? If you'd like to write a blog on the subject, please email georgina.belcher@isc.co.uk.

According to research published by the Trade Union Congress, teachers are working more than a day of unpaid overtime every week. Tes asks the leaders of two of the country’s education unions why this is the case. By Will Hazell.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, discusses the protests over LGBT relationships education. He argues that in order to win over the parents protesting about relationships education, teachers must stay calm and listen. Tes.

The Telegraph features a comment piece by Kaite Welsh, who argues parents should not "narrow their children's horizons" by restricting their access to LGBT lessons.

Mark Enser, head of geography and research lead at Heathfield Community College, argues schools should stop being used as the scapegoat for society's problems. Tes.

Findings from FFT Education Datalab, which analysed Progress 8 scores, have found coastal schools are the "hardest hit" by reforms to GCSEs. By Mark Smulian, Tes.

The Daily Mail reports the "extension" of an existing grammar school in Kent could lead to many more "satellite campuses" across the country. By Eleanor Harding.

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