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Daily News Summary
1 November 2019

Tax expert warns of "severe consequences" of Labour's plans to abolish independent schools
BBC's Debate Night: What does the future look like for independent schools?
Studying music in schools 'supports academic success'
Calls for teachers to have a 'relevant master's degree'
The value of independent school sports scholarships
'Meet the mentors behind England's World Cup rugby team'
Scottish headteachers spend £132 million to 'close the attainment gap between poorer and more affluent pupils'
Rise in the number of teenagers requiring hospital treatment for allergies

Tax expert warns of "severe consequences" of Labour's plans to abolish independent schools

 

Duncan Simpson, campaign manager for TaxPayers' Alliance, has warned the cost of integrating independent schools into the state sector 'will be well in excess of the current tax advantages many independent schools enjoy'. By Naomi Adedokun, The Express.

Speaking at the launch of his general election campaign, Jeremy Corbyn has hinted he will not commit to abolishing independent schools if Labour enter into power, instead suggesting the Party will target independent schools' tax relief. By Henry Zeffman and Steven Swinford, The Times.

 

BBC's Debate Night: What does the future look like for independent schools?

 

BBC's Debate Night, hosted at Robert Gordon's College, featured a discussion on the future of independent schools in Scotland. Labour MP Lewis Macdonald said 'if we're going to achieve the best possible education for the greatest number of our young people then we need to end tax breaks in private education'. Businessman Sir Ian Wood argued "I think parents should have the right to make the choice as to where they want to have their kids educated." The discussion commences at 44:30.

The discussion surrounding the future of Scotland's independent schools continued on BBC's Debate Night Extra. Simon Mills, head of Robert Gordon's College, said 'independent schools save the Scottish taxpayer about £200 million a year, which is equivalent to about 200 primary school budgets. If independent schools were made illegal, that money would have to be found from Scottish taxpayers in a system that's already struggling to raise enough money to educate Scottish children.' Kyle Thornton, Scottish Conservative councillor, added "we seem to target the independent sector rather than looking at all of the inequalities in our education system". Listen from 52:32.

 

Studying music in schools 'supports academic success'

 

Martin Leigh, director of music at King Edward's School in Birmingham, discusses the value of music learning in schools, referencing a study that found "students highly engaged in music were, on average, academically over one year ahead of their peers not engaged in school music". Tes.

 
Tes

Calls for teachers to have a 'relevant master's degree'

 

The Universities Council for the Education of Teachers is calling for teachers to be required to study a relevant master's degree, in an effort to improve teacher retention and pupil performance. By Amy Gibbons, Tes.

 
Tes

The value of independent school sports scholarships

 

IE Today features a piece on the benefits of Clifton College's sports scholarships, with case studies from current scholars. The article quotes Andrew Wagstaff, director of sport at Clifton College.

 
IE Today

'Meet the mentors behind England's World Cup rugby team'

 

The Telegraph features a piece on some of the mentors who helped members of England's rugby squad get where they are today. The article quotes several members of staff at schools within membership of the Independent Schools Council's constituent associations.

 
The Telegraph

Scottish headteachers spend £132 million to 'close the attainment gap between poorer and more affluent pupils'

 

Figures published today show headteachers in Scotland spent 78 per cent of their Pupil Equity Fund last year on learning support for disadvantaged students. Tes.

 
Tes

Rise in the number of teenagers requiring hospital treatment for allergies

 

Figures from NHS Digital show the number of teenagers in England who sought hospital treatment for allergies increased by 65 per cent over the last five years, amid calls for new legislation on how schools should manage the condition. By Rebecca Cafe and Alpa Patel, BBC News.

 
BBC

 

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