According to iNews, the vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds will begin on Wednesday, with schools forecasting a high level of demand. By Will Hazell and Amy Walker.

Adam Finn, a professor of paediatrics and member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, and Guido Pieles, a consultant cardiologist, have said parents and children "need as much information as possible" about the potential risks of COVID vaccines. By Chris Smyth, The Times. An analysis piece written by Finn and Pieles can be found below the article.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has called for an end to the routine testing of pupils without COVID symptoms, warning it is "interrupting children and teenagers' school attendance". By Phoebe Southworth, The Telegraph.

A survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics has found that the highest levels of infection last week were among secondary school age pupils. By Kay Lay, The Times.

The Buttle UK charity has warned a "new mental health pandemic is looming" for children affected by COVID-19 disruption. By Will Hazell, iNews.

According to a Telegraph investigation, the number of children going to A&E with serious mental health issues has surged by more than 50 per cent since the start of the pandemic.

In an interview with The Observer, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said every child should be given a £200 voucher as part of a £5 billion catch-up programme. By Michael Savage.

The Centre for Education and Youth think tank has found that maths learning is being threatened by a "triple whammy" of additional barriers in the wake of the pandemic. By Will Hazell, iNews.

According to The Times, COVID restrictions preventing parents in Scotland from attending their children's school sporting events are expected to be lifted. By Marc Horne. The article quotes Melvyn Roffe, principal of George Watson's College, and the Scottish Council of Independent Schools.

Writing to The Sunday Times, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, highlights the complexity of contextual admissions, adding: "It is a shame that this debate is so often presented as independent v state schools, when in fact there are numerous examples of the two sectors working together to help all pupils." The letter can be found three-quarters of the way down the page.

Baroness Barran has been named as the new academies minister, replacing Baroness Berridge in Boris Johnson's reshuffle. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

Schools Week provides a summary of the new ministers' roles and responsibilities. By Samantha Booth.

According to The Telegraph, former education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to feature in the prime minister's next honours list after being replaced in the Cabinet reshuffle. By Camilla Tominey.

Chefs at Gordonstoun are serving pupils foods rich in omega 3 oils, antioxidants, protein and fibre as part of efforts to help improve students' exam performance. By Helen Puttick, The Times. The article quotes Lisa Kerr, principal at the school, and Jamie Campbell, Gordonstoun's catering manager.

A number of independent schools are featured in The Sunday Times' Scottish independent schools guide. Articles look at the value of extracurricular clubs, challenging gender stereotypes in sport, and the benefits of outdoor learning. By Gabriella Bennett.

Writing in The Sunday Times, former prime minister Tony Blair calls for the return of maintenance grants and reduced tuition fees for disadvantaged students.

The Good University Guide, published yesterday, has placed St Andrews at the top of its UK university league table, beating both Oxford and Cambridge for the first time. By Alastair McCall, The 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.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.