Addressing headteachers at a Westminster Education Forum conference yesterday, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), outlined some of the financial pressures facing independent schools and highlighted barriers to recruitment and retention in the sector. Ms Robinson said: “Independent schools are not included in the Department for Education (DfE) website Get into Teaching, and it would be really helpful if they were." Considering ways independent schools can manage such challenges, Neil Smith, head at Cheadle Hulme School, said: "We know also that a small number of senior schools have merged in various ways with prep schools. This is something that I think a larger number of schools should really seriously consider to maintain the viability of the sector as a whole." Mr Smith also emphasised the value of cross-sector partnerships. By Callum Mason, Tes.

Teachers in Wales have cancelled a strike planned for 14 February after being offered an eight per cent pay rise. The National Education Union (NEU) said the industrial action has been suspended while members considered the improved package from the Welsh Government. By Nick Gutteridge and Lizzie Roberts, The Telegraph.

iNews reports that over 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK are going on strike today, with further action planned in February and March as staff walk out in disputes over pay, conditions and pensions. The action, called by the University and College Union (UCU), has the backing of the National Union of Students (NUS). By Alex Finnis.

In the ISC's latest 'Spotlight On' blog, coinciding with Children's Mental Health Week, David Quinn, director of music at Bradfield College, explains how the school has developed its mental health support provision and outlines the benefits of working with partner schools to raise awareness and share best practice.

Analysis by FFT Education Datalab’s Attendance Tracker suggests 170,000 pupils missed over half of the school sessions available to them last term and that nearly five per cent of students in Years 10 and 11 were “severe absentees” in autumn 2022. Tes.

According to a survey by Tes, four in ten teachers and heads said that staff absence has worsened since the pandemic, with higher levels than before COVID. Respondents cited budget constraints, higher levels of winter illnesses and a worsening recruitment crisis as contributing factors adding pressure on the workforce. By Matilda Martin.

Two new surveys, including one by the online education resource Study.com, suggest that an increasing number of students are already using ChatGPT, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, to cheat in tests and complete homework. By Vishwam Sankaran, The Independent.

Senior Conservatives including the chair of the Education Select Committee, Robin Walker, are reportedly putting pressure on Rishi Sunak to reform the childcare system and reduce childcare costs as the Spring Budget approaches. By Jane Merrick and Richard Vaughan, iNews.

MPs have faced criticism for their “half-hearted” response to Josh MacAlister’s landmark review of social care, which recommended that schools should become statutory safeguarding partners alongside police, health services and councils. By Amy Walker, Schools Week.

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