The Independent reports schools are bracing for a rise in COVID cases and "inevitable" disruption as pupils prepare to return to classrooms after the summer holidays. By Zoe Tidman.

Speaking to The Guardian, six teachers share their hopes and concerns ahead of the start of the new term. By Rachel Obordo and Alfie Packham.

An anonymous teacher writes in The Independent expressing their apprehension about the return to school.

According to The Times, a steady decline in COVID cases over the last week is prompting cautious optimism about pupils' return to schools this month. By Chris Smyth.

Miriam Cates, Conservative MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, writes in The Telegraph calling for an end to the mass COVID testing of pupils.

An editorial piece in The Telegraph asks: "If schools are to remain open come what may, then what's the point in testing children?"

According to The Independent, the Government's scientific advisers are resisting pressure to approve COVID vaccinations for all teenagers due to concerns it could disrupt the programme of booster jabs for vulnerable older people. By Anna Isaac and Andrew Woodcock.

The Government has been accused of "political posturing" after admitting it has never used emergency powers to force schools to provide remote education, despite extending the legal requirement last week. By James Carr, Schools Week.

The Welsh Government has announced £6 million in funding for carbon dioxide sensors and ozone disinfecting machines to help tackle the spread of the virus in schools, colleges and universities. By Aled Scourfield, BBC News.

The Labour Party has devised a set of proposals for assessment in 2022, which include advance notice of exam topics, greater question choice and grades pegged to 2020. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

According to Schools Week, the opposition party is calling for a "standardised" version of teacher-assessed grades as a plan B in the event of another year of cancelled exams. By Tom Belger.

School leaders have raised concerns about the fairness of this autumn's resit exams, with students set to be tested on topics they did not cover due to COVID disruption. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The University of Cambridge has launched a scheme designed to help bridge attainment gaps, address educational disruption and tackle the UK's skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. The 17-month programme will provide catch-up support for about 750 Year 12 students. By Will Hazell, iNews.

Tess Howard, a GB hockey player and student at Durham University, writes in The Telegraph arguing changes to "impractical and hyper-feminised" PE kits could encourage more girls to participate in sports.

Eilidh Hargreaves writes in The Telegraph raising concerns about the number of primary school children unable to swim.

A report ordered by Holyrood ministers has suggested replacing National 5 exams with a school graduation certificate to help "declutter" the Scottish education system. By Kieran Andrews, The Times.

Audit Scotland, a public spending watchdog, has warned that extra funding has failed to improve access to mental health services for children and teenagers in Scotland. By Helen Puttick, The Times.

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