The Times reports on findings from an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse at St Paul's School. By Andrew Norfolk, The Times.

The school has issued a statement in response and a summary of recommendations from the review.

According to a report published by the Education Policy Institute, teacher spending has failed to keep up with overall school spending, with average teacher salaries falling by almost £3,000 over seven years. By Dave Speck, Tes.

The OCR exam board has confirmed its plans to create a new natural history GCSE, designed to encourage more young people to engage with nature. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Does your school teach pupils about natural history as part of the curriculum? If you would like to write a blog on the subject, please email emily.roberts@isc.co.uk.

A new study has found children's packed lunches are no healthier than they were a decade ago, with just one in five including vegetables or salad. By Henry Bodkin, The Telegraph.

Sally Peck writes in The Telegraph arguing WhatsApp groups can help keep busy parents involved in their child's education. The article follows comments from Jane Lunnon, head of Wimbledon High School, that WhatsApp groups 'prevent children from taking responsibility for their own daily lives'.

According to a new survey, 59 per cent of UK adults believe coming from a lower-income background could hold people back from going into teaching. By Catherine Lough, Tes.

Tes has compiled a list of key events throughout 2020 that offer international learning opportunities. By Dan Worth.

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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