Writing in The Sunday Times, former education secretary Lord Blunkett calls for the "radical modernisation" of education for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). He writes: "Everyone involved in supporting our most vulnerable youngsters agrees that despite an additional £1 billion applied over the past year, the system is simply not working."

The Times View says the government's forthcoming white paper on reforms to support for pupils with SEND must confront soaring costs, streamline support, and ensure resources reach the children who need them most. "When it comes to SEND reforms Labour must­ ­finally be prepared to deliver some hard lessons", it concludes.

The widespread tracking of children via smartphones, AirTags and even footwear risks fuelling anxiety and undermining independence, experts have warned. A coalition of 74 health professionals says there is no evidence tracking improves safety, but concern it reinforces parental fear and erodes children’s autonomy and resilience. Speaking to The Times, parent Emma Lawlor from Guernsey says: "I really feel like it is an issue of trust, and I don’t want to put things in place that suggest I don’t trust my 11-year-old." By Mark Sellman.

More than 100 independent schools have reportedly closed since the introduction of the government’s VAT on fees policy, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), has said. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Ms Robinson confirmed that 105 schools have ceased operations since the policy came into effect, including 15 that were merged with other institutions. "We are likely to see further closures over the coming months and years as the effects of VAT and other tax measures mount up. While there is a combination of factors contributing to school closures, we know that there are some for whom the government's decision to tax education is a bridge too far", she added. By Elizabeth Ivens. Also covered by Mathilde Grandjean for The Independent.

An article in This is Money outlines some of the ways families can reduce the cost of independent school fees. The paper notes that some schools offer discounts to children of clergy, doctors or single parents, while those with parents in the Armed Forces can also be eligible for reduced fees. Reference is made to data from the ISC. Readers are invited to visit the ISC's website to find schools offering scholarships and bursaries. By Holly Mead.
A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned across this weekend's coverage.

Writing in The Times, Bilkis Miah, the founder and chief executive of You Be You, says better citizenship education can help pupils to thrive, and that "life skills, critical thinking and confidence-building must start early". Warning that the impact of inaction could be profound, she adds: "Britain’s social fabric is fraying and, unless we act now, we risk raising a generation that feels it has no place within it." 

Hundreds of schools are closed across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales today due to snow. Pupils in northern Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Shetland and Orkney, remain home. Closures are also affecting parts of Wales, while more than 170 schools remain shut in Northern Ireland. This is a live story that is being updated. Edited by Angus Thompson, with reporting from the BBC Weather team. 

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