The University of Oxford is abolishing its bespoke admissions tests in favour of generic computer-based exams in a reform of the undergraduate application process. Until now, the university has required a series of specialised tests for certain courses, but from 2027 entry, it will replace these with those already used by leading institutions such as Imperial College London, Durham and Cambridge, so applicants will only need to prepare for one test. Experts say the move may "benefit the more well-rounded student" but warn it could become a "headache" for those with strong subject specialism. By Georgia Lambert, The Times.

In a written question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat housing and communities spokesperson Gideon Amos asked how much revenue the VAT on fees policy has generated and how the money has been allocated. Responding, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Olivia Bailey repeated the government's estimate that the tax would raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30. "At the Autumn Budget 2025, the re-costing of the measure showed it will raise around £40 million per year more than originally forecast," she said, adding that the government intends to spend the revenue on public services, including state schools. Hansard.

French lawmakers have voted in favour of a bill that would ban social media access for under-15s, a proposal supported by president Emmanuel Macron. In a lengthy overnight session earlier this week, the lower national assembly voted 130 to 21 and it will now go to the Senate, France’s upper house, ahead of becoming law. The legislation, which also provides for a ban on mobile phones in high schools, would make France the second country to take such a step following Australia’s ban for under-16s last December. Agence France-Presse for The Guardian.

More than a third of teachers have handled a pastoral incident involving WhatsApp since September, according to a Teacher Tapp poll commissioned by Tes. In the survey of over 7,000 teachers, 38 per cent said they had dealt with pastoral issues involving WhatsApp this academic year, with the figure rising to 44 per cent in primary schools, despite the app’s age limit of 13. WhatsApp was the most commonly cited platform, followed by Snapchat (33 per cent) and TikTok (32 per cent). Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the poll shows that WhatsApp "must be included in any further government regulations, including a ban on under-16s if this measure ends up being implemented". By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

Rates of emotional distress among young people have "risen sharply in recent years", placing their mental health under "unprecedented strain", a new report has warned. The study also suggests the UK "lags behind" comparable nations in children's life satisfaction. Calling for action, Andy Bell, chief executive of Centre for Mental Health, said: "Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting now have a historic opportunity to reverse this crisis. Transforming children’s mental health must sit at the heart of the government’s moral mission to change the course for this generation." By Ella Pickover, The Independent.

The parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could see their options to appeal for education, health and care plans (EHCPs) limited under sector reforms, iNews has learned. At present, parents rely on the national, independent SEND tribunal if they are dissatisfied with their local authority's decision on support, but ministers are reportedly seeking to curb the sharp rise in tribunal appeals. The latest data shows tribunals find in parents’ favour in 99 per cent of cases. Details of the SEND reforms are expected to be finalised in the coming days, with the details expected to be outlined in the Schools White Paper towards the end of next month. By Connie Dimsdale and Richard Vaughan. 

As schools and families await news of the government's SEND reforms, Schools Week speaks to three families who have not found it easy to source specialist provision for their children. Jackie*, the mother of nine-year-old Leo*, who has ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder, shares her experience of trying to obtain an EHCP, initially denied by the local council. In the past two weeks, it has agreed to carry out a needs assessment in response to safeguarding concerns, seven months after Jackie first approached Leo’s school. The paper notes that this is not an isolated incident, with the latest government data showing just 46.4 per cent of new EHCPs were issued within the statutory 20 weeks, while in 2024, 7.3 per cent took more than a year. *Names have been changed. By Chaminda Jayanetti.

Writing in Tes, Julian Grenier, a member of the Department for Education’s SEND Inclusion in Education Expert Group, argues that the early years foundation stage should be a key focus of the government's reform plans since that is where children's first learning experiences are shaped. Mr Grenier, who shares his personal opinions in the article, outlines three ways the current system could be improved. "Offering children the extra support they need while they are in the early years can reduce the heartbreaking sense of 'not belonging' that so many young children and their families experience," he says. 

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