The National Education Union and Unison have advised their members not to engage with plans for a return to school from June 1, and the NASUWT has said there is "no obligation on any schools to extend their opening arrangements". By Rosemary Bennett, The Times. Speaking to an MPs' committee, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said plans to reopen schools in England from June 1 are 'not possible'. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News. He also called on the Government to provide teachers with a "credible explanation" for why they do not need personal protective equipment. By Catherine Lough, Tes. The Financial Times also reports on the reaction of unions and includes a quote from Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC. By Andrew Jack. Richard Russell, headmaster at Colfe's School, writes to The Times about his concern over the "painful lack of clarity" surrounding school reopenings. He adds: "In establishing our own approach we will be considering very carefully the views expressed by the teaching unions, as well as those of parents." The letter is the third featured on the page.

According to a Tes survey of more than 19,000 UK school staff, just 39 per cent of respondents in England believe this year's teacher-assessed grades will be fair for all. By Catherine Lough.

An article in The Telegraph considers the impact smaller class sizes could have on education. By Sally Peck.

According to figures published by the Government, the proportion of pupils attending schools in England rose to 2.4 per cent last Wednesday. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Andy Haldane, vice-chair of National Numeracy and chief economist at the Bank of England, writes in The Guardian raising awareness of the UK's numeracy crisis, arguing maths skills are more important than ever as households across the country face significant financial difficulties.

Edward Timpson, Conservative MP for Eddisbury and a former children's minister, writes in The Times arguing a "coherent and comprehensive national approach" to online learning is needed to ensure disadvantaged children are not "left behind".

Tes reports the Department for Education will not be running its free school meals voucher scheme over the May half-term. By Dave Speck.

The Guardian reports families with severely disabled children are on the "brink of collapse" now that school support staff and local authority carers have been furloughed. By Amelia Hill.

Jenny Coles, president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, has said there is 'anecdotal information' to suggest children in care are "thriving" during the lockdown because they do not have the pressure of going to school. 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.

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