A parent-led campaign is being launched today that involves thousands of parents of children at independent schools who are united against Labour's plans to impose VAT on school fees. Led by NHS data analyst Tony Perry, the group wants Sir Keir Starmer to understand that they are “not wealthy” and is calling on his party to listen to the concerns of working families who will be hit by the policy. Mr Perry, whose son attends an independent school, told The Telegraph: “Before enacting such a policy, it would help to hear the voices of parents who choose, and often sacrifice, to send their child to private school.” Several schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council's (ISC) constituent associations are mentioned. By Louisa Clarence-Smith. News of the parent-led campaign has also been covered by James Beal in The Times. 

In an interview with Times Radio this morning, Mr Perry highlighted how there are many different reasons why parents might choose an independent school for their child. Referencing his own decision to send his son, who has ADHD and dyslexia, to an independent school, he said: “My daughter doesn’t have the same needs as my son does. The reason we went to an independent school was not for elitism or the like, it’s because of the smaller class sizes and the attention that he needs.” Mr Perry went on to question the maths behind Labour’s tax policy, adding: “Sir Keir Starmer pointed out that he will not increase the burden on working families through taxation or other means and that’s exactly what this is doing – this is an issue that’s keeping many families up at night.” Listen from 03:45:42. 

The Labour Party's plan to impose VAT on independent school fees is the focus of today's Telegraph View. The editors argue that the tax policy "takes the form of yet another Labour attack on educational excellence to follow up its near destruction of the grammar schools". They warn: "Many of these schools are attended by the children of middle-class professionals who are already sacrificing much to pay fees that Labour would place beyond their affordability. This could force as many as 40,000 pupils into an already overstretched state sector."

The Sunday Times has published a number of letters on the subject of independent schools in light of a recent article by Melissa Denes. One reader says: "Not once does Denes mention the primary reason that parents scrimp to send their kids to independent schools: great teaching."

According to published policies seen by The Telegraph, some co-educational boarding schools are allowing transgender pupils to stay in dormitories of their preferred gender. The policies appear to clash with the government's first-ever gender identity draft guidance for schools, which states that “no child should be allowed to share a room with a child of the opposite sex”. By Louisa Clarence-Smith. The Daily Mail also covers the news story, by Matthew Lodge.

The Times reports that more than 300 schools have been told to stop calling pupils boys and girls, and instead use "they" in place of he or she, after signing up to a scheme run by transgender rights lobbying group Stonewall. Nursery, primary and secondary schools are given awards from the charity if they “remove any unnecessarily gendered language” from the classroom, insist that girls and boys wear the same uniforms and install gender-neutral toilets. By James Beal.

A new NHS campaign is urging parents in England to book their children in for missed measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations amid a "very real risk" of measles outbreaks across the country. Officials have said the decline in the uptake of routine childhood vaccines is a “serious concern”. By Paul Gallagher, iNews.

MMR vaccine clinics are to be set up in schools and the NHS will contact a million people aged 11 and 25 in London and the Midlands to urge them to take up the vaccine. By Kat Lay and Tom Whipple, The Times. 

The Times also includes a Q&A on measles, outlining what the symptoms are and explaining the MMR vaccine. It states that while there is no specific treatment for the dangerous virus, painkillers can help to ease symptoms. By Eleanor Hayward.

The National Education Union (NEU) is to hold an indicative strike ballot in March, asking teachers if they would support further action over pay and school funding. Schools Week. 

Ministers have been accused of failing children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), after nearly 30 cross-party MPs warned of problems in their constituencies. In a House of Commons debate on SEND provision and funding, Conservative MP Sir David Davis said the impact of these pressures “is clear for all to see”, and called for an updated formula and increased capital. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week. 

Schools across England have told The Observer that increasing numbers of children suffering from domestic abuse and serious neglect are being refused help from social services. One safeguarding lead said that while he is adamant social workers are doing their best, after years of funding cuts they are overwhelmed. By Anna Fazackerley.

In a briefing to be published today with the Social Market Foundation (SMF) think tank, Conservative peer Baroness Morgan will call for a new curriculum in England’s schools that teaches more “character development opportunities”. The former education secretary will say that young people need lessons in self-belief, determination and resilience to address new workplace threats such as artificial intelligence (AI). By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.

Michael Morpurgo and Julia Donaldson have been joined by leading author Philip Pullman in calling on ministers to legislate immediately to ensure schools in Britain have libraries. Mr Pullman said: “It is too easy to think that books and reading for pleasure are not essential, whereas nothing is more certain to improve children’s ability – and desire – to read richly and well." By Vanessa Thorpe, The Observer.

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