The Times' leading article today looks at Labour’s planned VAT levy on independent school fees, arguing that it is "an ideologically inspired assault on aspiration that will do nothing to improve the state system". The opinion item comes in response to an article, also in The Times, in which shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson claimed that independent schools would be "more than able" to cover the cost of paying VAT without raising their fees. By Oliver Wright.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), was interviewed by Times Radio on the cost of independent education. Ms Robinson explained independent schools are "not immune" to the financial pressures affecting all sectors and that they work hard to remain as affordable as possible. On Labour's plans to tax school fees, she warned: "Inevitably it would price out some [parents] and that would put pressure on an already stretched state sector." Listen from 02:54:15. The interview follows an article in The Sunday Times, in which William Stevens, Killik's head of financial planning, said he is advising parents to prepare for future school fee increases as the investment managers firm estimates the cost of educating two children at some of the country's most expensive schools could reach £1 million. Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations. Tim Laker, bursar at Lewes Old Grammar School, is quoted on the increasing costs faced by schools. By Sian Griffiths and Ellie McDonald.

In a letter published in The Times, Louise Simpson, headteacher at Exeter School, warns that Labour's plans will have an impact on all those hardworking parents making "huge sacrifices" to send their children to independent schools. Ms Simpson writes: "Imagining that an additional 20 per cent could be easily afforded, or absorbed by the school, is madness." The letter appears below halfway.

Speaking to iNews, two parents explain why they believe paying for an independent education is a worthwhile investment. The couple say: “While all the things about the facilities and the quality of the teaching make a big difference for us, the choice was not necessarily about state school versus private. It was more about being able to choose the right school for our children." By Eve McGowan.

Speaking to Times Radio, Simon Kidwell, vice-president of the NAHT, said Ofsted inspections are a "brutal process" and they need to change. The Telegraph.

The sister of Ruth Perry, who took her own life after her school's inspection, has called on headteachers in England to stop serving as Ofsted inspectors. Professor Julia Waters was speaking to members of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT). By Hazel Shearing, BBC News.

A crowdfunding page, fronted by former Ofsted inspector John Bald and backed by a group of senior school leaders, is calling on teachers to donate £1 each to launch a legal challenge against Ofsted, vowing to hold the watchdog to account for "ending careers" and causing "fear and stress" within schools. By Anna Fazackerley, The Guardian.

Queen Emma Primary School in Cambridge, downgraded to inadequate over its measures to keep children safe, says it will challenge Ofsted in court for not following correct procedures after an inspection left its headteacher feeling suicidal. By Branwen Jeffreys and Sallie George, BBC News.

According to The Daily Mail, new government advice - which will apply to all state and independent single-sex schools in England - will state that transgender pupils should be banned from competing in PE lessons against pupils of the opposite biological sex. The guidance, expected to be released within the next few weeks, will aim to protect girls' safety and ensure fair competition in sport. By Olivia Jones.

Ministers are advising teachers not to talk to pupils about social media influencer Andrew Tate, despite schools reporting an increase in misogyny and sexual harassment from boys as young as nine. By Anna Fazackerley. The Observer.

GCSE and A-level students face disruption to lessons today as tens of thousands of teachers walk out in their latest strike over pay, although Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), told The Telegraph that the union is "absolutely aiming to minimise disruption". By Charles Hymas.

The exams regulator has warned that students risk being punished for cheating in GCSEs and A-levels because they cannot bear to be parted from their phones. Mobile phones are a “comfort blanket” and being separated from them can cause anxiety, one exams officer told Ofqual. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

NHS figures have revealed pre-school children are being treated for health problems including diabetes and high blood pressure, with one expert describing the data as a “damning indictment of this country’s obesity crisis”. By Kat Lay, The Times.

Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing a speech for later this month in which he will reverse his position regarding Labour’s commitment to free university tuition. By Henry Zeffman and Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

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.

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