Schools across the UK were locked down this autumn as part of Exercise Pegasus, a state drill to address the threat of a new deadly virus. The pandemic simulation exercise, which was the biggest the country has ever held and involved all major government departments, concluded last month. Those taking part were told a novel enterovirus had broken out on a fictional Island in south east Asia before spreading worldwide. The key purpose of the drill was "to simulate a realistic pandemic scenario, and is the first of its kind in nearly a decade", according to a NHS briefing document, and ministers are expected to publish a report on it next year. By Paul Nuki, Sarah Newey and Maeve Cullinan, The Telegraph. 

Around 50 higher education (HE) providers in England are at risk of exiting the market within the next two to three years, MPs on the Commons Education Select Committee were told yesterday as part of their inquiry into university funding and the threat of insolvency. The warnings come after the Office for Students (OfS) last week forecast that three in four universities were likely to be in the red next year as financial turmoil continues in the sector. Addressing the committee, Susan Lapworth, chief executive of the OfS, reassured ministers it did not mean the regulator was expecting any of the institutions to exit "in a disorderly way". By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

A recent online conference hosted by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) explored how international schools are working to strengthen inclusion and foster a sense of belonging. Across two days, speakers and delegates discussed a wide range of practical approaches, from classroom environments to the composition of safeguarding teams, and students also contributed their perspectives. Tes highlights six key messages that emerged. By Emma Seith.

All independent schools should at least think about "becoming part of something bigger" by merging or joining a group amid increasing financial pressures facing the sector, Eddy Newton, head of Marlborough House Vinehall School has said. Speaking at an event on mergers and acquisitions in independent schools at the Schools and Academies Show last week, Mr Newton said even strong schools who do not presently require financial support should have this as a "Plan B in the drawer". Jonathan Wadge, head of Lochinver House School, told delegates that schools should explore joining larger groups while they are financially secure, explaining that his own school had reviewed a range of options, including commercial groups, and sought external support to find partners with aligned values. "Do it while you’re in a position of strength not in a position of distress… you’re in a position to negotiate because it doesn’t have to happen, you can walk away", he said. Echoing the advice, Hayley Robinson, head of RGS Surrey Hills, told colleagues: "Essentially the biggest thing is being patient." By Irena Barker. A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned.

During a debate in the House of Lords yesterday on education funding, Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), asked how ministers are progressing with the recruitment of the 6,500 extra teachers that their "iniquitous, unprecedented" VAT on fees policy is intended to fund. He added: "Is it not the case that the total number of teachers is going down, not up?" Responding, education minister Baroness Smith of Malvern said the number of new teaching staff at primary and secondary schools "is increasing" as a result of investment into the pay awards for 2024 and 2025. She added: "That means that we have already seen the workforce grow by 2,346 full-time equivalents in secondary and special schools, where they are needed most. We are also able to report in the latest census one of the lowest leaver rates since 2010."

Earlier in the debate, Conservative peer Baroness Laing of Elderslie asked how ministers propose to pay for any increase in the numbers of children attending state-funded schools as a result of the decrease in the numbers of children attending independent schools. Responding, Baroness Smith said: "Private school pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns, with no evidence of excessive pressure on the state system. We are confident that the state sector can absorb any additional pupils." Thanking the education minister for her response, Baroness Laing then said: "Sadly, the facts do not support the government’s rather spiteful ideology in this matter. The imposition of VAT on school fees means that thousands of hard-working parents who previously invested money in their children’s education, and therefore in the education system as a whole, now cannot afford to, so thousands of children have transferred from private schools to state schools." Hansard.

Writing in Tes, Margaret Mulholland, special educational needs and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, explores why education, health and care plan (EHCP) numbers have grown and what options exist for reform. Calling for "greater focus on effective inclusion and inclusive pedagogy", she writes: "We need to join the dots with health and social care to enable early intervention and to support transitions throughout school. Early screening by health teams should inform local partnerships through more effective knowledge sharing."

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