Martyn Thomas, development director at Christ College, writes to The Spectator in response to Toby Young's recent article on Labour's independent school tax policy (11 February). "Toby Young is absolutely spot-on in his assessment of the impact of Labour’s plans to put VAT on independent schools", he says, adding that "not only will it cost the Government money, but it will destroy a sector that is one of the UK’s great success stories". Anticipating the impact of the proposed changes, Mr Thomas warns: "There are, quite literally, no benefits from this policy, only costs. If this is an example of joined-up thinking and Labour’s policy-making on education, then very dark days lie ahead."

Teachers at Alleyn's School have told parents that straightforward “old-school” approaches - such as getting enough sleep each night and not watching violent TV shows - could be the key to improving children’s mental health, adding that the mental health crisis cannot be blamed solely on social media and mobile phones. Gavin English, deputy head pastoral at the school, is quoted. By Anna Davis, Evening Standard.

Union leaders have said that yesterday's talks with education secretary Gillian Keegan ended with ”no new offer to improve the inadequate pay settlement”. Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “Unless there is tangible progress towards an improved offer, the prospect of further strike action by NEU members is inevitable.” By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Ministers have been told by the Treasury that public sector pay rises need to stay below five per cent next year in order to control inflation, in a move that could see industrial action continue after summer. By Chris Smyth and Steven Swinford, The Times.

According to The Telegraph, teachers' workloads could be reduced in an attempt to avert further strike action, under plans being drawn up by Gillian Keegan that would see bureaucracy in schools pared back. By Louisa Clarence-Smith.

The EIS, Scotland's biggest union, has rejected the latest pay offer from the Scottish Government and councils. Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS, said the proposal was "another inadequate offer to Scotland's teachers". BBC News.

Teachers in Wales have also turned down a pay offer and are preparing to strike on 15 and 16 March. BBC News.

Following her resignation at Scotland's first minister, an article in Tes reflects on the education promises Nicola Sturgeon had made when first taking on the role. By Henry Hepburn. A second piece, also in Tes, analyses what Ms Sturgeon said about education policy when she stepped down. By Emma Seith.

Australian politicians are reportedly using a new trade agreement to try to recruit almost 31,000 people, including doctors, teachers, police officers and civil engineers, from the British public sector, amid claims that primary school teachers there are paid 68 per cent more than in the UK. By Nick Duffy, iNews.

The Rugby in Schools review, led by United Learning academy trust chief executive Sir Jon Coles, is calling for evidence from school staff and parents as it looks at how to “future proof” rugby in education. The review comes amid what the group terms “significant threats” that have led to a decline in take-up in schools, such as the “heightened perception” of health risks including head injuries. By Amy Walker, Schools Week.

Seven unions have written to the Government calling for immediate action to tackle the “shocking” state of school buildings in England, some of which are considered so dangerous they could collapse. The letter follows a call by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for full disclosure over precisely which school buildings are most at risk. By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

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.