The Telegraph reports Labour plans to remove business rates relief for independent schools, impose VAT on fees, and consider the possibility of abolishing private schools, should the Party enter into power. By Harry Yorke. Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, is quoted.

To read the ISC's full statement, click here.

The Baines Cutler report referenced in the article can be found here.

Gavin Williamson, the education secretary, has warned universities that standards are being "undermined" by grade inflation and unconditional offers, which could lead employers to "lose faith" in degrees. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Times reports Birmingham University has stopped making unconditional offers to students amid growing pressure from Government ministers. By Rosemary Bennett, The Times.

Chris Ramsey, head of Whitgift School and chair of the HMC & GSA's Universities Committee, argues "finishing school should be the start of adulthood, but not a door closed on support". Tes.

Trials of first aid lessons are taking place in 1,600 schools across the country, with the classes set to become compulsory from 2020. BBC News.

According to statistics published by the Department for Education, 15.3 per cent of newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) who started teaching in 2017 were no longer in the profession last year. By Dave Speck, Tes.

A report published by the Royal Society for Public Health has said junk food outlets within a five-minute walk of school gates should be 'banned' in order to tackle childhood obesity. Sky News.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.