An all-weather dome intended to make cricket more accessible, particularly to pupils at state schools, has officially opened in Lancashire. The second of its kind in the country, Darwen Dome features three full-length pitches and can be turned into a flexible space for coaching, matches, and community events. Jen Barden, executive director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, told BBC News the facility was fantastic news for state schools in the local area as it would provide "vital year-round access" for young cricketers. By Lynette Horsburgh.

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated its ministerial policy responsibilities following the recent reshuffle, which saw new ministers for school standards, children and families and early education appointed. Josh MacAlister, the new children's minister, has been given an expanded brief that includes responsibility for safeguarding, counter-extremism in schools and maintenance of the education estate. He will now oversee 17 policy areas, four more than those of the previous children’s minister, Janet Daby. In addition to Mr MacAlister's full list of responsibilities, Schools Week lists those of Bridget Phillipson (education secretary), Olivia Bailey (early education minister), Georgia Gould (school standards minister) and Jacqui Smith (skills minister). By John Dickens.

Dame Rachel de Souza, England's children’s commissioner, is calling for a shake-up of safeguarding referrals amid concerns that vulnerable children are more likely to experience abuse in school. In a blog published today, she says the role of the local authority designated officer (LADO) is "crucial" to ensuring safeguarding concerns are escalated and young people’s best interests are upheld. Urging ministers to introduce a series of reforms, including making the LADO independent from the local authority to ensure "there is strong accountability for children", Dame Rachel also calls for a national approach to recording and sharing safeguarding information. By John Roberts, Tes. 

Two thirds of girls and young women have changed their everyday behaviour to try to stay safe, with 31 per cent saying they have avoided taking public transport alone, according to a survey by Girlguiding. It found 56 per cent of girls and young women in the UK aged between 11 and 21 feel vulnerable travelling by themselves, up from 45 per cent in 2022. The survey, which also explored misogyny in schools, showed more than half of girls aged 11 to 18 (58 per cent) said they had experienced toxic comments from male peers while 32 per cent reported seeing a teacher or member of staff subjected to sexist or misogynistic abuse. Calling on decision-makers to help girls feel safe, Amanda Azeez, the acting chief executive of Girlguiding, said: "To ensure girls' safety and to tackle this issue, action needs to happen now, starting with listening to and involving girls and young women in how to address this." By Emine Sinmaz, The Guardian.

Tatjana, a mother whose son Luke has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), is urging Somerset Council to reverse its decision to stop paying for the support he needs to get him to school. Now Luke has turned 16, the council has said it no longer has a statutory obligation to pay for his transport, which includes a taxi and an in-car support worker. Unable to cover the costs of transport, the family are "on their knees" trying to take Luke to school themselves. Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, said Luke's family were "far from the minority" on SEND support, adding that "the whole system is broken". By Michelle Ruminski and Carys Nally, BBC News.

Writing in Tes, Mike Fischer, founder of the Fischer Family Trust, stresses that supporting children’s early learning must be central to SEND debates and reform proposals. He says: "We must support SEND pupils to learn to read as early as possible, so that they can read to learn and have access to the transformative power of education. This is a mission that can unite the education sector: literacy matters, and it matters for everyone."

The National Gallery has been accused of discrimination after imposing a £240 fee for independent schools entering pupils into its art competition. State schools can enter free of charge, with new applicants receiving £50 to spend on art materials and books. Critics have condemned the gallery's "misguided" charge, saying schooling is a crude method to measure privilege. Speaking to The Telegraph, Nigel Huddleston, the shadow culture secretary, said it was "deeply disappointing" to learn the National Gallery was "reinforcing harmful stereotypes". The paper also reports that the National Portrait Gallery’s work experience programme is now limited to state school pupils, while the Bank of England Museum has similarly barred independent school students from its education sessions. Reference is made to figures from the ISC. By Pieter Snepvangers. 

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