Play experts are urging ministers to ban "no ball games" signs and protect breaktime play to cut children's screen use. The Raising the Nation Play Commission says young people are being driven "indoors on to digital devices" by an "anti-play culture", with outdoor play in England down 50 per cent in a generation. Its report is calling for a national play strategy and for playtime during breaks and lunchtime to be ringfenced. By Vanessa Clarke, BBC News.

In a detailed article for Tes, award-winning science writer David Robson looks at how school became more sedentary, and talks to specialists about the impact reduced physical activity is having on pupils' mental and physical health. Anna Chalkley, a senior research fellow at the University of Bradford, is quoted on the benefit of movement, saying: "Physically active learning helps to connect the body and the mind."

In a letter to The Times, Adam Pettitt, head of Highgate School, says Southwark’s headteachers are right to tread carefully when advising families on screen time. He agrees that tackling the impact of screens on children must be a joint effort with parents, adding that while age-based phone limits are a welcome first step, what fills the time instead is just as important. "Children need to play, to have protected screen-free time, and to enjoy fun, shared experiences with the adults who care for them," he says. The letter appears near the bottom of the page.

The Telegraph's Brexit editor, Dia Chakravarty, examines the impact of the VAT on fees policy in light of official data showing that around 11,000 pupils have already left independent schools in England. "Experts expect this number will be materially higher when data from across the country is added to the total," Ms Chakravarty notes, before highlighting the broader consequences of the policy, including its likely negative impact on teacher recruitment and retention. Questioning the rationale behind the tax, she writes: "Why are we attacking one of the few excellent industries left in Britain? The exasperation across the whole education sector is palpable." The opinion piece is accompanied by a map displaying the extent of state sector overcrowding if a quarter of independent school pupils switch sectors. 

In a written question in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Blake Stephenson asked if the education secretary will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing VAT on independent schools in (a) January, (b) August and (c) September 2025, specifically on the number of school closures in the sector. Responding, schools minister Stephen Morgan referenced the Treasury's tax information and impact note concerning the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, adding: "Between 2010 and 2024 over 1,000 private schools closed. During the same period 1,213 opened, of which 705 were independent special schools." Hansard.

Changing the threshold at which children receive an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will not address the problems facing the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support system, MPs on the Commons Education Select Committee inquiry into solving the SEND crisis have heard. The committee held the penultimate session of its SEND inquiry yesterday, hearing evidence from both school leaders and research specialists. Tes outlines seven key points that were debated during the session. By John Roberts. 

Child therapists and parents of children with SEND tell iNews there is a risk of "failing a generation of children" if special educational needs are not prioritised in the government's upcoming spending review. Erica Knight has a nine-year-old son diagnosed with ADHD, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who currently attends a state primary school in Kent. Speaking to the paper, she said: "The government needs to think about the bigger picture. Having children in the appropriate setting from an early age will ensure they are able to thrive both academically and personally." Shermeena Rabbi, a London-based independent clinical speech and language therapist, explains that she regularly assesses speech, language, and communication skills as part of the EHCP application process. Ms Rabbi says she has witnessed parents struggle with long delays and limited resources, and warns that rising diagnoses of SEND are putting enormous pressure on an already overstretched system, impacting the support children receive. "As resources are stretched, many children with genuine needs fall through the cracks," she warns. By Sally Guyoncourt.

The Department for Education has published guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, detailing ways teachers can utilise the technology to reduce administrative tasks and free up time to work with pupils face-to-face. School union leaders have welcomed the plans, but warn that further investment is needed to unlock the potential advantages of AI in education. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent. 

Schools Week summarises the key guidance included in the new toolkits, which include adapting materials for pupils with SEND, and being aware of the AI risks around safeguarding and privacy. By Jack Dyson.

A joke about punctuation has been voted the funniest in a contest run by the Beano comic. Year 5 pupils from Riverley Primary School in Leyton, east London, took the top spot with their joke: "What do you call the fanciest punctuation? An a-posh-trophe." Their class teacher, Maisha Mahfuza, was also named Britain’s funniest teacher. The winning joke will appear in this week’s 4,290th edition of the Beano, illustrated by cartoonist Nigel Parkinson. PA Media, The Guardian.

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