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Daily News Summary
12 January 2024

Viability of cathedral schools under threat from Labour's tax plans, MPs told
Letter: Levying tax on independent school fees
GCSE maths resit pass rate falls in England, figures reveal
Trusts planning independent SEND schools to meet demand
Dermatologists warn against early use of anti-ageing products by children
Financial incentives would attract career-swap teacher recruits, survey shows
University of York lowers entry requirements for overseas students

Viability of cathedral schools under threat from Labour's tax plans, MPs told

 

During a House of Commons debate on choral music in cathedrals, Conservative MP for Lichfield Sir Michael Fabricant said that cathedral schools are "very, very concerned" they may no longer be viable should Labour's plans come into effect. Sir Michael highlighted Lichfield Cathedral School as one such school that fulfils the vital role of providing young choristers for cathedrals. Echoing Sir Michael's concerns, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Julie Robinson said: "The majority of independent schools, including cathedral schools, have thin operating margins and cannot absorb the effects of VAT and the loss of business rates if they are to remain viable. But nor should they have to ask hardworking families to bear the brunt of a legal requirement to place VAT on fees." By Gabriella Swerling, The Telegraph

The full transcript of the debate can be viewed here.

 

Letter: Levying tax on independent school fees

 

In a letter published in today's Times on the subject of Labour's school fee tax proposals, a reader warns the underfunded state system "is going to require a great deal more than the £1.3 billion that the Labour Party calculates will be raised by levying VAT on private schools". The letter appears halfway down the page.

 
The Times

GCSE maths resit pass rate falls in England, figures reveal

 

The pass rate for GCSE maths resits in England has fallen, after more pupils needed to retake their exams. November's exam rates have shown that 22.9 per cent of maths entries were marked at a Grade 4, a standard pass, or above, down from 24.9 per cent in 2022 and 26.9 per cent in 2019. By Hazel Shearing, BBC News.

 
BBC

Trusts planning independent SEND schools to meet demand

 

Schools Week exclusively reports that academy trusts are drawing up plans to open their own independent special educational needs and disability (SEND) schools to help ease the shortage of specialist provision, with five trusts reportedly working on the proposals with the government's free-school support contractor, Premier Advisory Group. By Samantha Booth. 

 
Schools Week

Dermatologists warn against early use of anti-ageing products by children

 

The use of anti-ageing products at too young an age can damage children’s sensitive skin, dermatologists have warned, and following a simple skincare routine is sufficient for pre-teens. Some teenagers are following online trends seen on platforms such as TikTok when they should seek medical help for problems such as acne, the experts added. By Kat Lay, The Times. 

 
The Times

Financial incentives would attract career-swap teacher recruits, survey shows

 

An increased bursary of £30,000 alongside a higher career-change bonus would persuade more people to switch to teaching, a YouGov survey commissioned by Now Teach has revealed. Now Teach chief executive Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler said the findings showed that the “public is intensely interested in the profession” despite teaching being “perceived as a stressful career”. By Matilda Martin, Tes. 

 
Tes

University of York lowers entry requirements for overseas students

 

University of York is lowering the entry requirements for some international candidates, who pay higher fees than UK applicants, as a result of "current financial challenges", academics have been told. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

 
The Telegraph

 

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