According to a survey conducted by the HMC, there has been a rise in demand for more help for parents in supporting their child's mental health and wellbeing. The study also found 97 per cent of independent schools have offered courses and information sessions for parents in the last four years. By Catherine Lough, Tes. The article quotes Chris Jeffery, chair of the HMC Wellbeing Working Group and head of Bootham School, Helen Pike, head of Magdalen College School, and Laura Knight, director of digital learning at Berkhamsted School.

Natalie Perera, executive director at the Education Policy Institute and former Department for Education (DfE) official, has said a move to abolish independent schools would 'take focus away from important education issues'. Speaking at a Tes fringe meeting at the Conservative Party conference, she warned abolishing private schools 'could become education's Brexit', resulting in 'years of untangling all the intricacies that come with closing them down'. By John Roberts, Tes.

In a speech to the Conservative Party conference, Boris Johnson criticised Labour's proposals for independent schools, saying Jeremy Corbyn "wants to ban private schools and expropriate their property, even though it would cost the taxpayer seven billion to educate the kids [in the state school system]". By Andrew Sparrow, The Guardian.

A survey from the HMC and the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) has found more than a third of Year 13 pupils at independent schools expressed concern about peer pressure at university, such as in the form of initiation rites. By Catherine Lough, Tes. The article quotes Chris Ramsey, head of Whitgift School and co-chair of the HMC Universities Committee.

Speaking at the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), Richard Gaskell, schools director at ISC Research, told delegates there is a "backlash" against institutions which have set up sister schools or franchises in China, particularly those perceived by the Chinese government as "creaming off" the best pupils. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Speaking at the Henley Literary Festival, Tony Little, a former independent school head, expressed his concern that some members of the Conservative Party 'have given Eton a bad name'. He highlighted some of the achievements of "unsung Old Etonians", and described Britain's independent schools as "beacons of excellence around the world". By David Sanderson, The Times.

Clarissa Farr, a former independent school head who also spoke at the Henley Literary Festival, has said some single-sex schools encounter difficulties when pupils express a desire to change or modify their gender identity. By David Sanderson, The Times.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland has launched a consultation to refresh the professional code for Scottish teachers, and will seek the input of teachers and the wider public. By Jamie McIvor, BBC News.

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.