Headteachers have warned that the Labour Party's tax plans for independent schools would force pupils out and risk some schools closing permanently, despite Sir Keir Starmer's claim that he wants the sector to "thrive". Michael Hartland, the headmaster of Chase Grammar School, warned: "There's a danger that independent schools won't thrive if he adds VAT because inevitably, if parents and families on the margins can no longer afford their fees, it could quite likely lead to a school not being able to keep up the workforce." Bill Pratt, headmaster of Naima Jewish Preparatory School, said pupils would be withdrawn from his school "as sure as night follows day" if Labour pressed ahead with its proposals. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said: "We are glad to hear that Sir Keir Starmer wants independent schools to thrive. We hope he listens to the very real concerns many school leaders and parents across the country have about the effects of his policy." By Dominic Penna, The Telegraph. 

As part of a segment on LBC yesterday, Andrew Castle interviewed author and journalist Robert Verkaik, Labour MP and shadow minister Pat McFadden, and independent school deputy head David James on Labour's independent school tax proposals. Mr James, who is also co-editor of 'The State of Independence', highlighted the wide range of schools within the independent sector, and the financial sacrifices parents make to afford the fees. He warned there is "a lot of misunderstanding" surrounding independent schools, charitable status and tax law, adding: "Instead of hitting the independent sector hard, we have to make sure that the state sector schools are as good as they can possible be." (The segment begins at 01:05:33, and the interview with David James commences at 01:26:16.)

On Friday, Labour reiterated the party's tax plans for independent schools in its new national policy forum document, which was sent to senior party representatives. Labour has put "stable public finances and prudent spending" at the heart of its offer. By Rowena Mason and Peter Walker, The Guardian. 

Lorraine Davidson, CEO of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, has written a letter to The Herald in response to an article calling on the Scottish government to consider how the strengths and qualities of independent schools can be distributed more fairly. Ms Davidson references the work of Dollar Academy, Robert Gordon's College, and George Watson's College as just a few "strong examples of partnership activities involving independent schools which demonstrate the sector's efforts to contribute to society, and the educational outcomes of as many children and young people in Scotland as possible". 

The letter is the second featured on the page.

The Times features a piece on Bedales School, which is reducing the number of GCSEs taken by students down from 10 to two. The school instead evaluates pupils through "Bedales Assessed Courses" (BACs), an alternative qualification. In reference to the move, Will Goldsmith, the head at Bedales, says: "It's about giving our students actually a better education, without the very distractions and distortions that come from externally assessed high stakes exams." By Helen Rumbelow. 

In a separate Times article, Katharine Birbalsingh, headmistress at Michaela Community School, criticises the move away from GCSEs. By Nicola Woolcock. 

Marcial Boo, chief executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), has called on the Department for Education (DfE) to "expedite" transgender guidance for schools to provide teachers with "much needed clarity". Mr Boo has also said the EHRC is urgently correcting "inaccuracies" in its own "technical guidance" on the application of the Equality Act in schools. By Edward Malnick, The Telegraph. 

In a letter to the education secretary, more than 30 MPs and peers have warned that pupils are receiving "tokenistic religious education or none at all" at some schools. The signatories are demanding more information on the steps the government is taking to improve teacher recruitment into RE, and have called for the creation of teacher training bursaries for those wishing to pursue a career in RE. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

More than 3,000 primary schools currently have no male teachers, and The Express explores concerns that this shortage could drive vulnerable boys to the internet in search of male role models. The influence of misogynist social media figures is cited as a cause for concern. By Matthew Davis. 

The Telegraph reports the cost of obtaining a visa for international students will rise from £127 to £490. The Home Office has said the fees would be used "to pay for vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises". The increase has been met with criticism from the higher education sector, with a spokesperson for the Russell Group saying: "With global competition for international students fierce, the Government should work with the sector to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for those studying around the world rather than increasing already high visa costs." By Noah Eastwood.

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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