The Labour Party's plans to impose VAT on independent school fees will be "pushed through quickly" to improve standards in education, Scottish secretary Ian Murray has told the Daily Record. Mr Murray hinted that the measure would be included in the Autumn Budget and said he is keen for the money to be spent in classrooms rather than filling a "black hole" in the government's funds. Addressing the opposition from parents fearing the policy's impact, he added: "I fully understand the concerns of parents who are right on the edge of that affordability, but this is a policy that’s coming in. It’s the right policy to have and if it’s invested in state education, which is what we want it to be, then it will improve our state education system." Keen for the opportunity to meet with Labour to discuss its policy, Lorraine Davidson, CEO of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), said: "VAT on school fees will disrupt the education of children and place an added burden on the state sector which will have to cope with more pupils, many of whom have additional support needs." By Paul Hutcheon. Ms Davidson's quote has also been published in an article by Kieran Andrews for The Times.

An article in Money Week explores the benefits and risks of paying school fees up front, in light of Labour's proposed VAT policy. Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC). By Chris Newlands.

In an article for Tes, ASCL inclusion specialist Margaret Mulholland welcomes the appointment of Sir Kevan Collins at the Department for Education (DfE) and explains why the department's proposed restructuring, to place responsibility for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) within its schools group, is a welcome move. She writes: "The mantra that every teacher is a teacher of SEND and every leader is a leader of SEND is key to a whole-school approach, as ASCL has argued for many years. It’s timely that the DfE is now doing the same."

Writing in Tes, Sendco Leyla Gambell outlines three ways teachers can help to reduce overwhelm for children with sensory processing difficulties, including creating safe spaces and educating the wider team to raise awareness. For those interested in finding out more, Leyla highly recommends a visit to a local special school: "While the student needs there will be more complex, many of the tools and strategies used can be adapted for a mainstream classroom", she explains.

Ofsted has been warned it is facing an “existential crisis”, having lost the confidence of the schools sector, according to findings from the Alternative Big Listen survey created by former inspectors Professor Colin Richards and Frank Norris. The survey was created to gather responses "to the questions Ofsted had not asked in its formal consultation on its future".

The vast majority (91 per cent) of respondents said the inspectorate is not fit for purpose, while nine in 10 also said "simplistic" single-word grades should be abolished and that inspections are not carried out in a way that is "consistent from place to place". By Cerys Turner, Tes.

The Girls' Schools Association (GSA) has issued a “rallying cry” to all those involved in girls’ education to take part in a survey help the association illustrate girls’ experiences across independent and state schools. Urging "pupils, parents, teachers, and former pupils alike – the whole girls’ schools’ community" to take part, chief executive of the GSA Donna Stevens said: "In our 150th year I’m proud to be able to extend our welcome to everyone who has ever worked or studied in a girls’ school to join with us, as we seek to understand ever more deeply the vital contribution girls’ schools make to create a more equitable world." Click here to take part in the research. Independent School Management Plus.

In the ISC's latest blog, director of partnerships at ACS International Schools Graeme Lawrie MBE explains how digital badges, which are revolutionising the way achievements are recognised in education, will be introduced at ACS this September – with plans to expand to partner schools next year.

The Daily News Summary will take a break across August, and normal service will resume at the start of term in September 2024.

From everyone at the Independent Schools Council, we hope you all have a peaceful summer break, and we wish pupils well as they prepare to receive their exam results.

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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