Children and young adults, especially those at university, are being urged by health officials to get vaccinated against infections causing meningitis and blood poisoning amid a rise in cases. According to the latest UK Health Security Agency figures, there were 378 cases of the serious bacterial infection invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in 2024-25, up from 340 in the previous 12 months. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said the number of cases is a "stark reminder meningitis remains a serious threat to children and young adults". By Storm Newton, Evening Standard. 

In a written question to the House of Commons, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge asked what estimate has been made of the average cost of an individual place in a UK independent school for a child of service personnel since the VAT on fees policy was introduced. Responding, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones said the government does not generally hold information on the average cost of independent school places for service personnel, collecting data only for those in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). Ms Sandher-Jones outlined some details relating to the CEA, before concluding: "The overall average cost for an individual school place for a CEA claimant is £2,924 per year since the introduction of VAT on school fees."

Shivani Raja, Conservative MP for Leicester East, asked the education secretary whether ministers have made an assessment of the potential impact of removing the subsidy for Ofsted inspections on (a) small and (b) specialist independent schools. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Early Education Olivia Bailey replied, saying the Department for Education launched an eight-week consultation in September on the subject of reducing the subsidy for Ofsted inspection fees. She added that the consultation document, which sets out how Ofsted-inspected independent schools will be affected by the proposed fee increases, is publicly available. Hansard.

All schools will have to teach separate sciences at GCSE in a bid to boost social mobility, a key government review of the curriculum is set to announce. Fewer than a quarter of pupils sit physics, chemistry and biology separately, with most taking combined science, equivalent to two GCSEs. Almost one in 10 schools do not offer "triple science" and there is a national shortage of physics teachers. The final report from the year-long curriculum and assessment review, expected to be published this Wednesday, is likely to call for reform since more young people from affluent areas take separate sciences, which lead to science A levels and lucrative careers. By Nicola Woolcock. The Times. 

In a letter to The Times, Mark Steed, former principal of Berkhamsted and Stamford Schools, welcomes ministers' aspirations for all students to be able to study separate sciences at GCSE but highlights the challenge of finding suitably qualified teachers. Referencing official figures showing some 28 per cent of physics lessons are taught by graduates with degrees considered not relevant to the subject, Mr Steed warns that upskilling more PE and biology teachers "will only increase this proportion". Offering a solution, he suggests schools "need to be able to offer more flexible working", adding: "In an imperfect world, a qualified physicist teaching remotely may be better for student outcomes than an 'upskilled' PE teacher in the classroom." The letter appears above halfway.

There has been further coverage of the wider curriculum review, with reports that Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, could introduce a new A level in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) as part of ministers' attempts to "revitalise the school curriculum". The qualification would help pupils use AI and critically evaluate its output, including spotting bias in the technology. Speaking to The Sunday Times, a government source said: "We’re determined our young people are at the leading edge in the new world of technology emerging right before our eyes." By Gabriel Pogrund.

Eton College has urged ministers to approve its plans to open state sixth forms in the North and Midlands after the latest wave of free schools was put on hold when Labour came to power. Over four years ago, the school announced a partnership with Star Academies that would see three selective colleges being opened in deprived areas, later confirmed to be Middlesbrough, Oldham and Dudley. Speaking to The Times, Simon Henderson, the school’s headmaster, and Sir Hamid Patel, the chief executive of Star Academies, said the sixth forms would blend Eton’s educational philosophy and rigorous curriculum with the approach of the trust, which has excellent results for pupil progress. Ministers are expected to give an update on the free schools situation before the end of the year, with special educational needs schools and alternative provision expected to be favoured. By Nicola Woolcock and Georgia Lambert.

iNews meets Nick Hamshaw, head of 1729 Maths School, the UK’s first specialist maths school for children aged 11 to 18. The school, which is situated within Mill Hill School, requires children to take a maths assessment when they apply, with grants going to those who show the most promise. Opening next year, it will offer bursaries of up to 110 per cent of fees to gifted students, no matter their background or financial situation. Commenting on the approach, Mr Hamshaw explains: "Once the assessments have been completed, we will look at who we believe will thrive at the school, and their financial situation will not be a barrier." The school is also offering 'Ramanujan scholarships', named after Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, that do not take into account financial background and reduce fees by 25 per cent. Asked what it takes to become a 1729 mathematician, Mr Hamshaw replied: "We’re looking for children who love to solve hard problems, and are willing to spend hours and hours on one thing and try to explore it from every different possible angle." Readers are invited to take the school's maths test, which appears towards the start of the article. By Connie Dimsdale.

The Sunday Times explores the impact of the government's VAT on fees policy and talks to some of the consultants who have been advising independent schools amid increasing financial pressures. Reference is made to a recent survey of 1,150 schools by the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which found that 81 independent schools have closed since last year. Peter Hogan, chair of governors at Windermere School in the Lake District, tells the paper he feels much of this is due to the VAT issue and that the independent sector is "forever changed". He warns: "It’s costs rising, it’s economic uncertainty, it’s questions over salaries — that has hit perhaps a larger than expected portion of the population." Aatif Hassan, founder and chairman of Dukes Education, which runs a string of schools across the UK and Europe, adds that the sector is also likely to see structural change. "For sure, we will see an increase in mergers and acquisitions. And while that can drive fear and anxiety, there are many positives as well," he says. By Daniel Woolfson, with additional reporting by Olivia Surguy and William Turvill.

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