Ian Lavery, the Labour chairman, is urging party members and unions to support proposals to abolish private schools ahead of the Party's annual conference later this month. By Edward Malnick, The Sunday Telegraph. The article references the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The paper also features an editorial piece on this topic, which criticises the motion, arguing "parents should have the right to make choices about how their children are educated".

You can find the ISC's full statement here.

The Telegraph reports 68 per cent of British students who are to start studying at Cambridge University this year are from the state sector. By Victoria Ward. Mike Buchanan, executive director of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, is quoted.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, Simon Heffer argues Oxbridge must create more places for prospective students 'to ensure those from more fortunate backgrounds are not discriminated against in the admissions process'.

Schools have issued a warning to parents about the potential health risks associated with vaping, an alternative to smoking that has become increasingly popular amongst the younger generation. By Rosemary Bennett, The Sunday Times. The article quotes Amy Sellars, assistant head at Latymer Upper School, and Ben Turner, assistant head at Wimbledon High School.

Ben Thomas, principal of the Thomas's chain of independent schools, spoke out about the impact of state sector funding cuts and outlined the partnership work taking place with Thomas's Academy. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times.

Writing in The Times, Jane Prescott, head of Portsmouth High School, argues allowing students to eat in the classroom is 'unnecessary and would be a distraction'. The letter can be found three quarters of the way down the page.

The Times reports on the uniform costs of various preparatory schools across the UK. By Catherine Lally. Vicky Bingham, head of South Hampstead High School, is quoted.

Exam boards are exploring microchipping and other technological solutions in an effort to prevent more exam papers from being leaked to social media. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Lord Agnew, the schools minister, has written to 271 academy trusts over "unjustified pay", with 51 agreeing to reduce senior salaries. By Michael Powell, Mail on Sunday.

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.

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