Research by the Sutton Trust has found 63 per cent of Rishi Sunak's new cabinet were independently educated. Of the cabinet's 32 ministers, 21 went to independent schools, five went to grammar schools and six attended comprehensive schools. By Ashley Cowburn, The Daily Mirror.

Damian Hinds has returned to the Department for Education (DfE) following the government's reshuffle earlier this week. Tes looks at what this could mean for the DfE's approach to schools and wider education policy. By John Roberts, Jasmine Norden, Charlotte Santry and Cerys Turner, Tes. 

A local authority employee has reported witnessing schools excluding pupils for having special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) they are unable to meet. She also claims some schools are excluding SEND children to protect their results. Government guidance for schools currently states that under the Equalities Act it would be "unlawful" to exclude a pupil "simply because they have SEND or a disability that the school feels it is unable to meet", however this is what was reported by the individual, who works to place children with SEND. The article notes that, while independent schools are not governed by government guidance on how best to support children with SEND, they are obliged to comply with the Equality Act 2010. By Nick Martin and Fiona Mackie, Sky News.

Teacher wellbeing has fallen to its lowest level in five years, with stress, insomnia and burnout all continuing to rise, a new survey has revealed. Education Support’s 2023 teacher wellbeing index found worsening wellbeing among school staff in England, with rates for teachers at their lowest levels since 2019 and now below that of those in senior roles. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

A rising number of employers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help hire university graduates and school leavers, a report by the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) has suggested. Approximately one in four employers (28 per cent) have introduced AI as part of their recruitment process, according to the findings. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent. 

An invitation has been sent to schools inviting them to request a free portrait of King Charles III from the Department for Education (DfE). Applications must be made before 2 February. By Amy Walker, Schools Week. 

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