An article in The Telegraph reports parents have been urged not to take their children out of classes ahead of the Christmas holidays, with schools minister Nick Gibb saying "the best place for children to be is in schools". By Camilla Turner.

According to a survey of 151 local councils, the number of children removed from school to be home-educated has risen by 38 per cent - with coronavirus fears listed as the top reason why. By Hannah Richardson, BBC News.

The Sunday Times reports some parents who are shielding are seeking a judicial review over the Government's policy of insisting children attend school during the pandemic. By Emily Dugan.

The education charity Teach First has warned of the "significant challenges faced by schools serving disadvantaged communities", after findings revealed 73 per cent of schools with the most deprived pupils do not have enough digital devices and internet access to ensure all self-isolating students can continue learning. By Ben Glaze, The Mirror.

Fiona Boulton, head of Guildford High School, writes in The Sunday Times reflecting on the ways the school has adapted its learning during the pandemic.

According to The Telegraph, outdoor grassroots sport for all ages can be expected to return from next week. By Tom Morgan and Harry Yorke.

The Guardian reports some university staff have voiced concerns after being asked to help carry out mass COVID-19 testing of students before they return home for Christmas. By Ben Quinn.

More than 40 heads of academy chains in England and council education chiefs have written a letter urging ministers to ensure the 2021 exam series takes into account regional learning loss. By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

BBC News reports home-schooled students in Wales are still waiting to find out if they will be expected to sit exams next year. By Miriam Barker.

Under plans being considered by Ofqual and the Department for Education, schools could be asked to record how much lesson time their pupils have lost, enabling universities to lower entry requirements for those hardest hit. By Sian Griffiths, The Sunday Times. The article quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC.

Unions have reacted to reports that chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce a pay freeze for school staff and other public sector workers. By Zoe Tidman, The Independent.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson has said the curriculum should be reflect diversity and Britain's multicultural society, adding "we should be very proud of our history". By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

An article in Tes reports campaigners in schools and universities have launched petitions calling for the UK curriculum to include the history of the British Empire and the Windrush generation. By Catherine Lough.

The Times reports Pearson, which produces textbooks and owns the Edexcel exam board, has worked with the Fawcett Society to draft new guidelines intended to encourage the creation of gender equal learning resources. By Nicola Woolcock.

The Sunday Times details its Parent Power tables, based on the exam results of primary and prep schools in England.

Ursuline Preparatory School in Essex has been named "Independent Preparatory School of the Year". By Sue Leonard, The Sunday 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.

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