The Times Money Mentor section offers advice to parents of children at independent schools amid plans by the Labour Party to impose VAT on fees. The article considers the typical cost of school fees and help available to fund them, including bursaries. Reference is made to research by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. Noting the present lack of detail around Labour's tax plans, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide Melanie Sanderson says "schools cannot yet advise parents on any specifics around VAT and fees in advance”. By Katie Binns and Georgie Frost.

Schools Week exclusively reports that three schools cleared of having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) have now been told they do have the crumbly concrete, renewing concerns that more settings could be at risk as early inspections only required visual checks. By Jack Dyson. 

Researchers at the University of Cambridge who measured mental health and pro-sociality at various ages in childhood have found a link between early parent-child bonds and resilience. Children who have warm, loving relationships with their parents not only tend to have fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence, but are more likely to display pro-social habits, according to the research. By Miriam Stoppard, The Daily Mirror. 

As Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman approaches her last month in office, Schools Week considers whether her 2019 pledge to "reward schools in challenging circumstances that are raising standards through strong curricula" has been upheld. By Amy Walker.

Executives from the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) have warned Rishi Sunak that it would take more than 400 years to rebuild all schools in the country at current funding levels. In a letter to the prime minister, they said that in a world-class education system classrooms would be refurbished “at least every 25 years and buildings scheduled for complete renewal within 75 years”. By Jasmine Norden, Tes. 

Professionals are being urged to take up a part-time teaching role in further education (FE) alongside their current job as part of the “Teach in FE” drive. The campaign aims to address the shortages that have left one in 20 further education teaching roles vacant, alongside 2.6 per cent of college management jobs. By Jane Hamilton, The Times. 

Writing in Schools Week, founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust Steve Chalke explains why school staff should not shy away from talking to pupils about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Stressing the importance of young people not feeling responsible for solving the problem, Mr Chalke says: "Children shouldn’t feel guilty playing, seeing their friends and doing the things that make them happy."

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