The head of Ofsted has thrown her weight behind headteachers who ban mobile phones from their schools in a bid to crackdown on naughty behaviour.

In a speech today, Amanda Spielman is expected to say that the place of smartphones in the classroom is “dubious at best”.

The Ofsted chief inspector will also signal her support for schools that take a tough stance on unruly pupils, saying it is “entirely appropriate” for youngsters who misbehave to face punishments such as school community service, writing lines or detention.

She will tell delegates at the Festival of Education at Wellington College, Berkshire: “I fundamentally disagree with those who say that taking a tough stance on behaviour is unfair to children.

"Quite the opposite, there is nothing kind about letting a few pupils spoil school for everyone else."

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The NHS needs to face up to its failings and ensure a scandal similar to that at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital does not happen again, a leading health chief has said.

“Truly shocking” revelations that more than 450 people had their lives shortened after being prescribed powerful painkillers at the hospital emerged on Wednesday.

A damning report found an additional 200 patients were “probably” similarly administered with opioids between 1989 and 2000, without medical justification.

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The Government is to publish details of the compromise deal which enabled Theresa May to head off a revolt by pro-EU Tories over her flagship Brexit bill.

The EU Withdrawal Bill completed its passage through Parliament on Wednesday evening when it was finally passed by the House of Lords without a vote.

Earlier the Commons rejected a Lords amendment which would have given MPs the power to block a “no deal” Brexit by 319 votes to 303.

The Prime Minister welcomed the passage of the bill – which transfers EU regulations on to the UK statute book – as “a crucial step in delivering a smooth and orderly Brexit”.

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