ISC Daily News Summary

The debate over single-sex schooling and coeducation continues in The Times. In a letter to the paper, Fionnuala Kennedy, head of Wimbledon High GDST, says girls' schools best prepare pupils for an unequal society by giving them the confidence that comes from learning in an environment free from gender bias. "As such, they emerge into the world of work and university confident, unfazed, comfortable in their skin and fully aware of their own capability," she concludes.

Samantha Price, head of Cranleigh School, draws on her experience leading both single-sex and coeducational schools, saying she has seen "first-hand that children can flourish equally" in both settings. "I always encourage families to choose the school that feels right for their child, and children these days have a strong say in that choice," Ms Price adds.

The letters appear halfway.

The Middle East was the most popular destination for UK teachers applying for jobs overseas last year, according to Tes' analysis of international-school job application data, which found four out of the top 10 most desirable destinations were Gulf states. With more than 120,000 UK teachers applying for overseas posts in 2025, the paper reveals the destinations growing and declining in popularity. By Emma Seith.

The number of children getting support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has risen sharply again to a new record high, new official figures have revealed. Between January 2025 and January 2026, there was a 12.5 per cent rise in the number of pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs), the highest year-on-year increase since EHCPs were introduced over a decade ago, with numbers now over 700,000. A spokesperson for the Department for Education (DfE) said ministers are "building a system where every school can support every child to thrive, while ensuring those with the greatest needs get the specialist help they need". On her family's experience of seeking support, Karen Quinn told BBC News that delays to securing an EHCP for her son, who is autistic and also has ADHD and dyslexia, mean he may miss out on the support he needs before starting secondary school in September. "I just want him to get the help that he needs to be the best that he can be," she explained. By Hayley Clarke, with additional reporting by Rahib Khan.

Inclusion bases in mainstream schools should be run by qualified teachers and not used as punishment, according to DfE guidance published yesterday. Ministers have set out how schools should run inclusion bases as part of its plans to ensure mainstream schools are more inclusive for pupils with SEND. The department's SEND reforms are introducing three tiers of support for pupils with SEND, which are targeted, targeted plus and specialist. The guidance states the expectation that targeted plus support will be delivered in support bases and specialist support within specialist bases. By John Roberts, Tes.

Tes looks at what Andy Burnham's Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (MBacc) might suggest about his approach to education if he becomes the next prime minister. Introduced in the 2024-25 academic year, the MBacc provides pathways into employment through technical education for young people in Greater Manchester. Loic Menzies, education policy and research specialist and author, tells the paper other mayors should be encouraged to develop their own local pathways rather than replicate the MBacc, adding that while there has "certainly been interest from some colleges and in some schools, overall, it’s probably too early to make a judgement [about the success of the scheme] at this stage". By Jasmine Norden.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has said she is proud to be labelled a "spiteful class warrior" by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch amid an escalating political row over Labour’s education reforms. Writing in the Daily Mail, columnist Robert Hardman examines the impact the VAT on fees policy is having on schools and their wider communities. He cites figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) revealing that more than 30,000 pupils have already left the independent sector – twice the number predicted by the government. He highlights how many smaller schools "are being pushed over the edge", with school closures resulting in lost jobs and displaced children. A senior ISC source is quoted, saying: "We always expected a two to three-year lag because parents already in the system want to get to the next phase." An ISC spokeswoman later warns of the "ripple effect", pointing to the impact on local shops, cafes, laundries and other businesses that feed off a school. On the wider economic impact, Mr Hardman warns: "Labour is dismantling what used to be a world-class British export." A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned.