Anthony Wells writes in The Critic on the subject of Labour's plans to add VAT to independent school fees and looks at how likely the policy is to win the party votes. Mr Wells says: "In many ways, VAT on private schools is a perfect policy in purely electoral terms." He then warns: "That does not mean it is a sensible or wise policy in practical terms. It may, for all I know, be a disastrous policy, rife with unintended consequences." Anthony Wells is director of political research at YouGov UK.

The government's proposed ban of mobile phones in schools has been criticised by education leaders who have accused ministers of failing to address the real problems facing schools. Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said the policy risks worsening the behaviour crisis rather than improving it. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

In an analysis piece in The Guardian, several education experts discuss their views on the plans that were outlined by education secretary Gillian Keegan yesterday. Some are calling for exceptions, for children with special education needs, mental health issues and caring responsibilities, for example. By Sally Weale.

A group of Conservatives elected in 2019 are to set out their own manifesto ideas, which include banning “gender ideology” from being taught in schools. The MPs have said so-called gender ideology should be banned in schools and parents should have the right to oversee the sex education their children are given. By Patrick Daly, The Independent.

It has been another busy day for the ISC team attending the Conservative Party Conference, starting with the ISC fringe event and a panel discussion about the many cross-sector partnerships involving schools across the UK. Martin Boulton, high master at Manchester Grammar School, spoke of his school's partnerships and bursaries work within the local community. Chief executive of the ISC Julie Robinson also caught up with Daniel Kebede from the NEU union, which has 33,000 members working in the independent sector, and met with Baroness Barran, a minister with responsibility for independent schools. We look forward to bringing you all the latest from the conference again tomorrow.

Jane Prescott, headmistress of Portsmouth High School GDST, has a letter published in today's Telegraph in light of the government's pledge to ban mobile phones in schools. Ms Prescott warns against this measure, saying that phones can be helpful in schools when used wisely. She writes: "We need our young people to be tech-savvy and to learn how to use their devices appropriately. Where better to learn than at school, under the supervision and guidance of staff?" The letter appears below halfway.

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