Speaking on Sky News yesterday, Nadhim Zahawi warned that Labour's proposal to end independent schools’ charitable status would lead to the state sector being flooded with new pupils, adding that "the move would be a recipe for a great deal of community tension". By Camilla Turner, The Telegraph.

Nadhim Zahawi has said that he will monitor pupils' progress and will ask the Treasury for more money if data finds that pupils have not caught up on their learning after the disruption caused by the pandemic. By John Roberts, Tes.

According to BBC News, secondary school pupils in Scotland will no longer have to wear face masks in classrooms from 28 February.

A Schools Week investigation reports on the devastating toll failing mental health support systems have on families and schools. By Jess Staufenberg and Samantha Booth.

In a letter sent to heads this week, Dr Jo Saxton, Ofqual chief regulator, has said that headteachers should use their "own judgement" on whether they need to continue collecting evidence for teacher-assessed grades (TAGs) in case exams are cancelled again this summer. By Helen Chapman, Tes.

Tes takes a closer look at how rising energy prices are forcing schools to take "worrying gambles" on their gas and electricity deals, which have reportedly more than doubled in the past 12 months. By Callum Mason and John Roberts.

Stephen Morgan, shadow schools minister, writes for The Times arguing that pupils in England have been failed by a decade of Conservative education policies.

Campaigners have challenged the Government's proposals for new "elite" sixth forms, claiming that they are unlikely to recruit many disadvantaged students and arguing that selection at any age would “benefit wealthier families and deny opportunity to disadvantaged pupils”. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

The number of primary and nursery-aged pupils in England is expected to fall by around 300,000 over the next five years as the population spike created by the 2000s baby boom moves into secondary schools. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

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