Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed the Labour Party plans to include a policy to end independent schools' charitable status in their general election manifesto. Tes. The article quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council.

Jaideep Barot, head of Bristol Grammar School, writes in The Times arguing the performance of independent school pupils at A-level should not be used to support the argument for abolition. He adds: "Improving outcomes for all children will only be achieved through concrete, long-term investment for all, and this is what we must demand of our politicians and their election manifestos." The letter can be found halfway down the page.

New research suggests independent school alumni earn 10 per cent more than their state educated peers by the time they are 25. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

The Association of School and College Leaders has published its general election manifesto, which urges politicians of all parties to address key issues within education and to 'avoid indulging in the corrosive practice of extolling one type of school over another type of school'. Education Executive.

Ivan Hewett writes in The Telegraph about the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, discussing its investigation into music schools. He argues closing music schools 'would be a tragic mistake, which would deprive future generations of students of wonderful opportunities'. However, he adds 'there should be a less deferential and more open culture in music schools, so pupils are exposed to more than one point of view, and much stricter safeguards'.

The Telegraph features an article detailing five of the best languages to study for future job opportunities, in line with findings from the CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Report 2018. By Katie Russell.

The Department for Education has issued guidelines for schools ahead of the general election, reminding them to maintain balance in their teaching and "avoid activity that could be construed as partisan or favouring a particular political party". By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

New figures reveal both Oxford and Cambridge have received record numbers of applications this year, amid a drive for more state educated pupils to apply. By Rosemary Bennett, The Times.

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.