Speaking last week at Enlightened Education, the joint conference organised by the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) and the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), Sir Geoff Palmer called for slavery to be taught "truthfully" in school as a mandatory part of the curriculum. Sir Geoff praised Melvyn Roffe, principal of George Watson’s College and chair of the HMC, 'for being truthful' about his own school's past links to the slave trade and urged others to do the same. By Emma Seith, Tes.

The Times reports on research by social mobility tech firm Zero Gravity which suggests independently educated pupils are more likely to have connections to professionals such as lawyers and bankers because of 'flourishing old boy and girl networks'. By Nicola Woolcock.

Schools should be given "common sense" advice on transgender issues, according to senior government ministers including Kit Malthouse, the education secretary. Ministers are reportedly divided in their opinions over what schools should be advised regarding transgender provisions such as same sex toilets. By Chris Smyth, The Times.

Church of England guidance on the subject states that schoolchildren should be “supported to accept their own gender identity or sexual orientation and that of others”, prompting calls by some parents for it to be reviewed. By Jonathan Ames, The Sunday Times.

The Sunday Times also reports that young people with gender dysphoria are able to illegally purchase hormones online, with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society warning they risk “serious harm” to their health. By Sian Griffiths and Glen Keogh.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is moving exams online in an attempt to “future-proof” the qualification and assess students in new ways more suited to the modern workplace, although a timeline for the move has not yet been issued. By Emma Yeomans, The Times.

Digital clocks have been installed in exam halls for pupils taking their GCSEs who are unable to tell the time on an analogue clock. Children are taught to tell the time by age seven but there are fears some have not mastered the skill. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

The prime minister, Liz Truss, is considering plans to change the childcare subsidy system which could see families being given money directly rather than it going to nurseries. By Henry Zeffman, The Times.

An editorial piece in The Guardian explores Labour's proposals for 'fixing' the childcare sector, arguing the "early years sector has broken under the Tories". The Guardian also includes a podcast about the pressures on Britain's nurseries, in which Sally Weale explains what has 'pushed the sector to the brink'.

Following reports that ministers have said schools will receive more funding in 2023-24, Schools Week analyses provisional school budget data by the National Education Union and asks whether schools really will be given additional money. By Tom Belger.

The Telegraph reports a vote on teacher strikes 'could be delayed until January' because of fears that striking postal workers could prevent members from returning their ballot papers. The paper also reports that Labour has said it would legalise online voting for strikes. By Will Hazell.

Today is World Mental Health Day, and IE Today will be running a campaign throughout the week to highlight the importance of mental health for children, staff and parents. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), and Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, chief executive officer of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), are both quoted expressing their support. IE Today also features several articles shining a light on individual schools' wellbeing initiatives and mental health programmes. By Karen Brewer.

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