According to iNews, regional directors of public health no longer need permission from central government to request face coverings in schools, following changes to Whitehall's COVID contingency plans. By Jane Merrick.

Under-18s who have had COVID are being told to wait at least 12 weeks before having a vaccine, in a change designed to reduce the risk of rare side effects. By Chris Smyth and Rhys Blakely, The Times.

Sir Kevan Collins, the former education recovery commissioner, has condemned the Government's "feeble" response to school catch-up, saying: "There's an abdication of responsibility - there's no national endeavour." By Tom Belger, Schools Week.

Teachers in Scotland have claimed that young primary schoolchildren have become more violent since lockdown. By Neil Pooran, The Times.

New study findings suggest children who consume several types of media simultaneously suffer more with mental health problems than those who spend several hours a day playing online games. By Joe Pinkstone, The Telegraph.

John Mason School, Radley College, Abingdon School, St Helen and St Katharine and Larkmead School in Oxfordshire have formalised a cross-sector partnership intended to raise educational aspirations across the OX14 postcode. By Jo Golding, Independent Education Today.

Prince Charles has been granted approval to build an outdoor classroom for schoolchildren in the grounds of his Scottish stately home. The facility is expected to host science workshops designed to help pupils to learn about the natural world. By Stuart MacDonald, The Times.

Scottish ministers are reportedly considering plans to create a new institute promoting quality journalism and media literacy in Scotland's schools. As outlined in the proposals, teenagers aged 15 to 19 would also receive vouchers to buy newspapers and subscribe to journalism online. By Arthi Nachiappan, The Times.

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