The Times reports at least 21 Vietnamese children have disappeared from independent schools across Britain in the past four years, after being brought into the country by suspected trafficking gangs through legitimate student visas. By Joshi Herrmann and Katie Gibbons. The article references the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and the Boarding Schools' Association.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning discussing the reports. She said "the perpetrators of these crimes are sophisticated criminals and we know that schools have to be hyper vigilant in following procedures to ensure that every child is safe and secure". Listen from 2:45:00.

The ISC's full statement can be found here.

Lee Elliot Major, the UK's first professor of social mobility, writes in The Sunday Times reflecting on his own experience of upward social mobility. In reference to plans to abolish independent schools, he says: "Getting rid of private schools wouldn't demolish the divide between haves and have-nots. Middle-class parents would simply find other ways to gain advantage, monopolising the best state schools."

Figures show the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign Office collectively spent over £91 million last year on independent school fee subsidies, to ensure the children of military and diplomatic staff can continue their education without disruption. By Lizzy Buchan, The Independent.

New findings suggest digital devices, such as smartphones, are helping boys to close the literacy gender gap. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

According to a survey of more than 800 young people, 75 per cent would avoid telling a teacher if they were experiencing bullying. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Department for Education has said a portion of a new funding package for colleges and sixth forms will be targeted at "high value" courses such as science. By Will Hazell, iNews.

David Isaac, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, has said primary schools should be able to teach children about LGBT+ relationships without having to consult parents first. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

Olivette Otele, the UK's first black history professor, has said secondary schools are now teaching about the history of colonialism and the slave trade from a less Eurocentric perspective. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

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.