School strikes are expected to go ahead this week after negotiations between the National Education Union (NEU) and the Government over teacher pay failed to make progress. By Euan O'Byrne Mulligan, iNews.

The NEU has condemned school leaders across the country who have 'named and shamed' striking teachers as an “appalling” attempt to put pressure on teachers not to make a stand on pay. As teachers in England prepare to take industrial action again this week, local union branches are reminding any staff who are being pressured by unsupportive heads or trust chief executives that they do not have to declare whether they are striking in advance. By Anna Fazackerley, The Observer.

A new pay offer from the Scottish Government has been rejected by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers. The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) has agreed to defer next week's proposed strike action following consultation with its members, but has said its members 'still expect' an improved offer in the coming days. BBC News.

Conservative ministers have warned that striking teachers may have fuelled protests by pupils in Cornwall, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Essex, with videos showing scenes of chaos and violence in classrooms. By Ewan Somerville, The Telegraph.

Research by the think tank Civitas suggests independent school fees cost parents twice as much of their income as they did a generation ago. The article refers to figures from the latest Independent Schools Council (ISC) census, which show there are 544,316 pupils at member schools, up more than eight per cent in the last decade and a record high. A spokesperson for the ISC is quoted, saying: “Independent schools are focused on delivering quality education. This is reflected by the number of parents who continue to choose an independent education for many reasons [...] Over a third of students at ISC schools receive some form of fee assistance and the amount schools provide for bursaries has risen at a faster rate than fees." David James, deputy headteacher at Lady Eleanor Holles School, is also quoted.

Ash Regan, the Edinburgh Eastern MSP, has defended sending her children to an independent school, having faced criticism for her decision since standing for Holyrood in 2016. As she launched her campaign to be the next SNP leader and first minister, Ms Regan said: “I'm a mother first, I'm a politician second, and I should expect everyone to respect that, as I would respect their choices for their families.” By Tom Gordon, The Herald.

Education leaders have warned that the proportion of children securing a place at their first-choice secondary school is set to hit a record low this week, notably in more affluent areas. A record number of children have applied for places this year, with the number of pupils looking to start Year 7 in September rising steeply following a spike in the birth rate 11 years ago. By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Ben Butcher, The Telegraph.

Analysis by The Sunday Times suggests that securing a place at one of the country’s top state schools is 'harder than ever'. In an accompanying table, readers can search by school name or local authority to see which selective and non-selective state schools were the most oversubscribed in the 2022-23 academic year. By Sian Griffiths and Venetia Menzies.

Matt Glanville, head of assessment principles and practice at the International Baccalaureate (IB), has said pupils will be allowed to quote work generated by ChatGPT in their essays as long as they do not claim it as their own. Likening ChatGPT to spellchecking software and translation apps, Mr Glanville said school staff should “embrace it as an extraordinary opportunity”. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act comes into effect today and will automatically recognise children married under the age of 18 as victims of forced marriage. Hailed as a significant milestone in child protection by campaigners, it will prevent 16 and 17-year-olds from marrying or entering a civil partnership, even if they have parental consent. By Alexandra Topping, The Guardian.

iNews includes a feature on the harmful effects of vaping on children and what schools are doing to try to combat the rising trend. By Serina Sandhu.

Writing in The Sunday Times, feature writer Megan Agnew looks at how the creation of a specialist vape detector could put a stop to vaping in school toilets.

The National Schools Singing Programme, which connects cathedral directors of music and choirmasters with disadvantaged schools, has proven to be “unbelievably transformational” according to schools involved with the scheme. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

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