An article in Schools Week provides the full speech Bridget Phillipson made at the Labour conference yesterday. By Freddie Whittaker.

In her address to conference, Ms Phillipson reiterated Labour’s proposal to “end the tax breaks private schools enjoy”. This means imposing the 20 per cent rate of VAT on school fees, and removing the financial benefits of charitable status (including the mandatory 80 per cent relief of business rates) from those schools which have them. ISC chief executive Julie Robinson issued a statement in response to the comments, describing the proposal as “a tax on aspiration, which would have the greatest impact on hard-working parents striving to do the best for their children”.

Writing in Tes, John Roberts reflects on the education events which took place at the Labour party conference. He suggests schools were 'overlooked', saying: "Perhaps the biggest concern of all for leaders and experts in education gathered at this week’s event in Liverpool has been that the problems and potential of the sector do not appear to be top of the political agenda."

A consultation of members of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has found two-thirds would support a ballot on industrial action. Schools Week reveals it is the first time in the association's 16-year history in which associates have been consulted on such an issue. By Freddie Whittaker.

Scottish education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has been urged to intervene directly in pay talks if strike action in Scotland are to be avoided. Tes.

Sir Graham Brady, the Conservative MP for Altrincham and Sale West, and chairman of the 1922 Committee, writes in The Telegraph in favour of selective schools. He says: "I’m not advocating a wholesale reorganisation of schools across the country – that would be costly and disruptive. But we know that selective state schools can offer an opportunity to children from all backgrounds that might otherwise only be available to those whose parents can afford to go private."

Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner, is to publish research today showing 45 per cent of children aged eight to 17 are seeing “upsetting and worrying” harmful online content including material promoting self-harm. By Charles Hymas, The Telegraph.

The Universities Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET), which represents the majority of teacher training providers in England, has said it will support legal action against the Government following the disclosure that 20 per cent of its members have failed a DfE approval process to continue offering courses. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

According to research by King's College London (KCL), more than two-thirds of undergraduates with conservative views feel increasingly reluctant to talk about their opinions, compared with 37 per cent in 2019. Similarly, students with left-wing views also feel worried about sharing their views, with an increase from 14 per cent in 2019 to 36 per cent today. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

The Guardian quotes Bobby Duffy, director of KCL’s Policy Institute, who said the surveys showed a “large majority” of students thought universities were protecting free speech, while increasing minorities of students felt it was under threat. By Richard Adams.

A survey by Oxford University Press (OUP) has found that 28 per cent of older primary school pupils would like their parents to read to them more frequently. The OUP findings recommend children read a range of texts such as menus, lists and mail and make reading a regular habit. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

Schools are to be given a dashboard to track how the National Tutoring Programme is impacting pupils' attainment, attendance and wellbeing as part of plans to create more "user-friendly" school data. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

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