The DfE is looking to appoint an education expert to oversee its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. The candidate will be tasked with leading a new group that brings together the digital, technology, data and analysis functions of the department, as well as implementing a new strategy for the school rebuilding programme. The role will have a £200,000 annual salary package, making it the highest-paid department role, according to 2024-25 figures. By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

The government is considering tougher accountability measures for schools delivering "shameful" transitions for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) moving into college. Kevan Collins, education secretary Bridget Phillipson's SEND delivery adviser, told delegates at a webinar yesterday that the Department for Education (DfE) had been examining destinations data and working with Ofsted to initiate "harder accountability" for providers responsible for supporting learners into new education settings. By Anviksha Patel, Schools Week. 

Writing in Tes, Thomas Keaney, founder and CEO of the National Online School and a trustee of the National Association of Special Schools, urges ministers not to ignore online education in their SEND reforms. He says: "The real question is not whether online or in-person education is better; it is: how can the system create belonging, safety and access across different contexts so every child can achieve and thrive?"

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to introduce a law blocking children from seeing nude images and videos on their phones because he was "worried about tech bosses", according to former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. The proposal would have forced Apple and Google to introduce technology into their operating systems to prevent nude images from being rendered on a phone. Government sources said that the Home Office and Ministry of Justice both pushed for the measure, but Downing Street rejected the idea of making it mandatory as they were concerned it would upset American tech firms. It is expected that when the policy is announced, it will be a voluntary, rather than mandatory, measure. By Mark Sellman and Matt Dathan, The Times.

More than 6,000 children living with obesity, including hundreds as young as four, have needed treatment at specialist NHS weight-loss clinics, according to new NHS England data. Published for the first time, the figures underline the scale of the growing childhood obesity crisis. Since the first Complications from Excess Weight clinic opened in 2021, the NHS has treated 6,497 children and teenagers. Experts said the data was extremely worrying and called for immediate action to curb sales of junk food and make healthier food cheaper. By Anna Bawden, The Guardian. 

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