Silas Edmonds, principal of Ewell Castle School, was interviewed by Shelagh Fogarty on LBC regarding Labour's proposal to end tax relief for independent schools. Mr Edmonds said the party's plan would put small and modest independent schools under financial pressure, and some would be "forced to close" if they lost their tax relief. The principal also highlighted the findings of the December 2022 Oxford Economics report, which suggest the independent sector saves UK taxpayers £4.4 billion per year by educating pupils who would otherwise be at state schools. To listen to the interview, skip to 1:06:05.

In a piece for The Guardian, columnist Frances Ryan writes in favour of the Labour Party's plans to withdraw tax relief from independent schools, saying that "every child in this country deserves an equal shot". She argues Labour could go further, adding "only structural change will bridge education inequality". Earlier this week, the party attempted to force a binding vote on the issue but the motion to set up a new committee to investigate the charitable status of independent schools was defeated by 303 votes to 197.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has announced that university personal statements will be scrapped in their current form, as part of its reform of the admissions process. In an attempt to 'level the playing field', students will need to provide a series of short responses to questions on topics such as their motivation for studying courses, and why they are ready to succeed. Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), is quoted, saying: “It is a great relief that UCAS have decided to retain the personal statement - the only opportunity the student has to express themselves on the university application form.” By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

The NASUWT, the first of three teaching unions to announce its ballot results, has failed to secure enough support to take industrial action – except at over 100 independent schools whose names have not been revealed. A turnout of 42 per cent means it fell below the 50 per cent threshold required to legally strike, however a mandate for the action was secured at 125 independent schools in England and seven in Wales. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

The University and College Union (UCU) has said that strike action will take place next month and in March after rejecting a pay offer of up to five per cent. A possible 18 days of strike action by university lecturers would make it the largest ever higher education walkout. By George Sandeman, Ben Clatworthy and Chris Smyth, The Times.

The Times reports that 40 Conservative ministers have supported plans for an amendment to the Online Safety Bill that would see technology bosses who fail to protect children online face up to two years in prison. By Mark Sellman.

Figures from the Department for Education (DfE) show that the absence rate was 14.3 per cent across all state schools in the week commencing 12 December 2022 - almost twice the rate of 7.8 per cent for across the academic year to date. The DfE has said the upward trend was driven by an increase in sick days, amid a rise in flu cases and other seasonal illnesses. By Nina Lloyd, The Independent.

TeachVac data analysed by Tes has revealed that the number of assistant headteacher vacancies has risen by 72 per cent compared with pre-COVID levels. Education leaders have cited the growing pressures of the job, in addition to the impact of the pandemic, as a reason for the 'apparent hesitation' in moving into senior leadership. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

Data from the University of Edinburgh shows that no Scottish student won a place on its law course this year who was not classed as 'disadvantaged', prompting criticism of Nicola Sturgeon's targets to improve the social diversity of university campuses. Michael Marra, the Labour MSP who uncovered the figures, said: “We now have hundreds of ordinary young Scots applying to our top universities who in reality have no chance of getting in.” By Daniel Sanderson, The Telegraph.

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