ISC Daily News Summary

Increasing numbers of single-sex independent schools are becoming coeducational in a move to attract more pupils following the introduction of Labour's VAT on fees policy, iNews reports. Girls' independent schools saw the biggest fall in enrolment in the past year, according to a survey by the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The paper's analysis of the data shows there are at least 28 fewer single-sex schools now than there were in 2024, before the present government was elected with a pledge to charge VAT on school fees. During the same timeframe, the number of co-ed schools rose from 1,155 to 1,227, and both the number of independent schools and ISC members have risen in the past year. The number of girls at single-sex independent schools has fallen by four per cent in the past year, compared with a 3.8 per cent drop in pupils at co-ed schools, according to the ISC's findings. Speaking to the paper, Dr Stephen Burley, headmaster at King's High School, a girls' independent school in Warwick, said the changes were being driven by the introduction of VAT on fees and a subsequent reduction in the number of students in independent schools. Warning that girls with special educational needs and disabilities could be worst affected by the decline of single-sex schools, as they often benefit from being in classrooms tailored to their specific needs, Dr Burley, who has previously worked for independent coeducational schools, said: "I worry that we’re working towards a less diverse and poorer independent sector because of the government changes." He added that girls are often outnumbered by boys in special schools and can benefit from classrooms tailored to their gender. A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Alexa Phillips.

In an article for School Management Plus, Philip Britton, chair of HMC (The Heads’ Conference) and head of foundation at Bolton School Boys' Division, says that development and fundraising are becoming increasingly important as independent schools look to diversify income. He explains that while successful fundraising requires long-term investment and senior leadership support, strong alumni connections provide schools with a vital source of non-fee income. "The engine that moves us forward is the emotional and practical attachment to our schools by those who know them," he writes.

Two decades after Bedales School in Hampshire introduced its own exam system, the Bedales Assessed Course (BAC), as an alternative to GCSEs, the school's headteacher, Will Goldsmith, has said the BAC is working and its students are "thriving". It comes as a review into the current exam system, which took place last November, recommended that students study a greater breadth of subjects alongside the core academic disciplines. Mr Goldsmith said he believes the school now has a "balanced curriculum suitable for 14- to 16-year-olds, which stretches and challenges them", but also allows the school to "tailor" how they are doing things and for "students to have more agency in what they're doing". By Tiffany Rowlands, BBC News.

Writing in Tes, Jean Gross CBE, an independent consultant and author, says that with artificial intelligence (AI) playing an increasingly prominent role in everyday life, developing young people's emotional intelligence is more important than ever. "We owe it to our children to advocate for change, and we might just have one last chance in the autumn consultation on revised programmes of study to shape a curriculum truly fit for the AI age," she says.