The Sunday Times explores Labour's plans to impose VAT on independent school fees, speaking to parents and sector representatives about how they are likely to be affected. Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC), including a survey that found almost 20 per cent of parents said they would have to take their child out of their independent school should VAT be added to fees. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, told the paper: "Parents are asking schools what their plans are and schools are telling us that they are modelling what can be done. They are looking at how much they can deal with to cushion the shock to parents, but every school is in a different position." Tony Oulton, headteacher at Hulme Grammar School, said: “I’m aware of parents taking additional jobs, working evenings or weekends to top up their household income to be able to make the fees. That’s the norm for many of our families.” A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Lucy Alderson.

The Independent's weekend long read explores pupil safety in relation to rugby in schools. Nic Bond, director of sport at St Edward's School Oxford, told the paper: "Excellence in rugby has always been a fundamental part of our sell. But at the core of that is pupil welfare." The school's head of rugby, Joe Winpenny, added: "The moment we see any suspicion of a head knock - or even if we think we have seen one - that player is removed from the pitch, is given medical attention and doesn't go back on. No argument." By Jim White.

Sky News speaks to the mother of a child with additional needs who was given a budget for education other than at school (EOTAS), outside the regulated school system, due to a lack of suitable provision elsewhere. The issue of EOTAS is explored, and headteacher Simon Kidwell, who is president of the National Association of Headteachers, adds that he has heard "more and more" of schools turning children away. By Becky Johnson.

A ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s is being considered by the Labour Party if it wins the forthcoming general election, Sky News understands. The government previously announced a ban in 2019 but it did not come into effect.

The Metropolitan Police has warned parents that young people are collapsing in school after using vapes spiked with dangerous drugs. Officers across London, who had seized vapes confiscated from pupils and sent them for testing, found them to include substances including spice, the highly addictive drug that can leave users in a zombie-like state. By Louisa Clarence-Smith and Jonathan Leake, The Telegraph.

Schools should use history lessons to teach pupils how to handle modern culture wars, according to Labour Together. A report by the think tank suggests that an overhaul of the curriculum needs to be supported by a strong foundation in the 3Rs, broader subjects and an acknowledgement of contemporary issues. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

Almost half of the victims of criminal exploitation in the UK are British boys aged under 18, analysis by the Centre for Social Justice and charity Justice and Care has found. The groups are calling for new laws to acknowledge them as ­victims of modern slavery. By Michael Savage, The Observer.

The Sunday Times features an interview with Mahnoor Cheema, a student who has an IQ as high as Einstein’s and feels frustrated at the lack of support available for gifted pupils in UK state schools. By Sian Griffiths.

The King's College London Maths School in south London has taken the top spot in The Telegraph's state school A-level league table for the fourth consecutive year. A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Ben Butcher and Connor James Ibbetson. 

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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