"Expecting schools to carry on like normal right now is dangerous," Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU teaching union, posted on X yesterday afternoon. The union's message came as ministers highlighted updated guidance on what schools should do during a heatwave. This week's extreme heat has led to concerns over the impact on schools, after rare red health alerts were issued by the UK Health Security Agency. Addressing MPs during education questions in Parliament, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said it is "a matter... for school leaders as to how they manage that best". By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have warned that they could be locked out of discussions that affect their children’s schooling and access to other local services. A number claim they have been told they cannot publicly campaign on issues related to SEND or post on their own personal social media channels if they want to lead parent carer forums, which work with local authority officials to influence services for children in the area. Renata Watts, co-director at Special Needs Jungle, told iNews the guidance reads like a "warning shot" to "silence" families. By Alexa Phillips.

Schools Week ran live updates from yesterday's parliamentary education session, which covered a number of issues including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform. By Lydia Chantler-Hicks.

Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat spokesperson (schools), submitted two written questions in the House of Commons in which she asked the education secretary what estimate she has made of the number of independent schools in England that have closed, and the number of pupils who have moved from independent to state schools since the introduction of the VAT on fees policy. Responding, early education minister Olivia Bailey referenced school closure information, which is available via the register of schools, adding: "The latest school census data, as at June 2026, reveals pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over the last 20 years," with further information available here. Hansard.

In a letter to The Times, Cheryl Giovannoni, CEO of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) questions whether the growing trend of boys' boarding schools admitting girls is being driven by the interests of girls or by schools seeking to modernise and boost pupil numbers. "This is not about educating girls separately to protect them from boys, but rather because they deserve to be in an environment that caters to how they learn best. As the trend for boys' schools shifting to co-ed gathers pace, we should not forget the girls in this conversation," she writes. The letter appears above halfway.

Tes speaks to staff to find out what it’s like to live and work in Nigeria, where strong population growth is driving a booming international school scene. The paper highlights new entrants such as Rugby School Nigeria and Charterhouse Lagos (soon to be joined by Wellington College International Lagos), which sit alongside more established schools offering a mix of British, International Baccalaureate and national curricula to children from both local and expatriate families. By Dan Worth.

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