According to The Sunday Times, some independent schools and legal experts are telling parents that existing payment schemes, which allow them to pay fees for several years in advance, could enable them to avoid the impact of Labour's tax plans should the party come to power. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has denied that such pre-payment schemes are tax loopholes, while the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) has said the schemes "are perfectly legitimate and have been used for a number of reasons through the years". A spokesperson for ISBA added that while there remains a "lack of detail around Labour’s policy", making it impossible for schools to advise parents on specifics, dual-income families would be hit hardest by VAT on fees. Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. The article is accompanied by a live poll, which asks readers to vote on whether VAT should be charged on school fees. By Sian Griffiths.

Neil Johnston also covers the story in an article for The Telegraph.

General secretary of the NEU teaching union Daniel Kebede has warned that forcing independent schools to fund an increased employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) is “unacceptable”, after ministers confirmed the pension will rise from 2024. Although state school pension increases will be funded by the government, independent schools that are signed up to the scheme will have to fund the rise themselves. By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

Mr Kebede has warned that independent schools that try to exit the TPS would face industrial action by their teachers. Quoted in The Telegraph, the NEU leader said: "The NEU will robustly support our members to take all necessary action to defend their terms and conditions." The article also quotes Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, who said: "Teachers are hugely valued as the most important resource for schools and nearly three-quarters of many schools’ budgets are spent on staff costs. However, leaders are facing numerous financial pressures, including energy price rises, cost of living pressures and the rise in employer TPS contributions to 28.6 per cent, all of which independent schools have to cover in full." By Louisa Clarence-Smith. 

Metropolitan police officers have been told to increase intelligence-gathering activities at London schools in response to the Israel-Hamas war, prompting concerns among human rights groups about the surveillance of children. According to a letter sent to headteachers, officers have been briefed to “increase their visible patrols” at schools. By Will Crisp and Rohan Rice, The Guardian. 

Teachers across England will be given new artificial intelligence (AI) software to help reduce their workload under new government plans. Ahead of this week's AI Safety Summit, prime minister Rishi Sunak is expected to say the technology should be used by teachers to help plan their lessons. By Hugo Gye, iNews. 

Marking this week's royal assent of the Online Safety Act, digital secretary Michelle Donelan has said she expects social media platforms to model their age checks for children on Challenge 25, wherein shops require young people to show ID when buying alcohol if they suspect them to be underage. By Charles Hymas, The Telegraph.

Education unions have accused Gillian Keegan of “inflaming controversy” around relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) and unfairly criticising schools. In a letter to the education secretary, the leaders said it was “desperately disappointing” that Ms Keegan had chosen to “denigrate” schools “in pursuit of a headline”. The letter referred to correspondence sent to schools last week that made clear they should provide parents with access to RSHE curriculum materials. By Aine Fox, The Independent. 

The Telegraph reports parents and former teachers have spoken out about "radical gender ideology" in schools at a conference hosted by LGB Alliance, the charity for gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Delegates heard claims that teachers are surveying pupils over gender confusion and punishing them for using the wrong pronouns. By Louisa Clarence-Smith. 

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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