Dame Jacqueline Wilson, the children's author, has warned that reading is becoming a niche hobby not unlike "stamp-collecting". Voicing concern over falling literacy rates in an interview with The Big Issue, she said "reading is in danger" and intelligent youngsters are turning away from classic literature because they find it "boring". Her comments come as National Literacy Trust research shows only 33 per cent of children aged eight and over enjoy reading in their free time, down from 51 per cent 20 years ago. The DfE, partnering with the trust, has named this year a "national year of reading", with education secretary Bridget Phillipson stating that literacy is essential to national security, not "just a nice-to-have". By Samuel Montgomery, The Telegraph. 

The House of Lords is preparing for a debate with MPs over school phone bans, after peers passed numerous Conservative amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Fresh from voting for a ban on social media for under-16s last week, peers also passed an amendment this week that would make schools ban phones during the day. Ministers have resisted a statutory ban, but since many Labour MPs support one, the government may therefore struggle when the amendment reaches the House of Commons. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week. 

As ministers consult on children’s social media use and phone bans in schools, The Sunday Times visits Fulham Boys School, one of the best-performing schools in the country, where smartphones have been banned on site. The school's headteacher, David Smith, explains the reasons behind the policy, which allows pupils only basic "brick" phones, and imposes consequences if the rules are broken. Mr Smith says parents need to "let go" and resist tracking their children, adding that banning phones reduces phone reliance and teaches independence. While a minority of parents initially opposed the ban, he says that it is now widely accepted among families at the school. By Louise Eccles.

There has been a surge in the number of independent schools for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) opening since Labour’s VAT policy, iNews reports. A council insider told the paper local authorities have not been able to keep up with the demand for special school places, leaving a "captive market" for providers to inflate their fees. There has been a 43 per cent increase in the number of independent SEND schools in England over the last decade, almost doubling from 456 in 2015/16 to 803 in 2024/25, according to new analysis of Department for Education (DfE) data. Commenting on the issue, Nick Pietrek, headteacher of Stafford Grammar School, said some colleagues are considering pivoting to SEND as "that’s where the money is to be made", adding that some independent SEND schools charge fees in a "completely different league" to the rest of the sector. By Connie Dimsdale.

School funding for SEND should be increased and protected amid the rise in demand for support in England, a cross-party group of MPs has said. As the government considers major reforms to the SEND system, the group of mostly Labour MPs has called on ministers to "align funding to need" and give schools "inflation-proofed" budgets in its reform plans. BBC News notes that public spending on children with SEND has increased from £7.5 billion in 2016 to £12 billion in 2025, marking a real-terms rise of 66 per cent. By Joshua Nevett.

To mark the start of Children's Mental Health Week, we are very pleased to share two blogs that shine a light on children's mental health and wellbeing.

In the first, Charlotte Futter from Worksop College reflects on the school’s award-winning wellbeing provision, which offers holistic support for pupils, staff and families.

Next we hear from Sara Marriott, head at Elmhurst Prep and Nursery School, who explains why teaching pupils to demonstrate core virtues is integral to helping them thrive.

The Times explores the fierce competition to secure a grammar school place in the UK, with some schools receiving more than 30 applicants for each one. The paper submitted Freedom of Information requests to more than 50 of England’s 163 state grammar schools, seeking data on the number of pupils transferring from independent schools, as well as the ethnicity and distance from home of applicants due to start in 2019/20 and 2024/25. Of those who responded, 16 provided data on intake from independent primaries for both 2019 and 2024. They gave 247 places to independently educated pupils in 2024, compared with 256 in 2019. By Nicola Woolcock and Holly Lambert, The Times. 

Writing to The Telegraph, Richard Pallister from Suffolk says Sir Keir Starmer’s claim that there was "no evidence" independent schools would close because of VAT on school fees has been undermined, noting more than 100 closures since the policy was introduced. Highlighting the growing pressure on state schools, and the fact teacher numbers have not risen as anticipated, he concludes: "Given the government’s apparent enthusiasm for promoting the benefits of independent schools abroad, where no such tax is levied, isn’t it time to admit this ideological policy has been a disaster and to scrap it at home?" The letter appears below halfway.

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