|
In a hurry? Click on a link below.
Labour's tax plans for independent schools would 'punish parents', head warns
|
|
|
Independent sector
|
Tony Oulton, headteacher of Hulme Grammar School, has warned of the potential impact of the proposal to add VAT to independent school fees, saying his school would not be able to absorb the additional cost without sacrificing the 24-child class size limit currently in place. He said the majority of the independent sector "is made up of schools like mine where parents are making real sacrifices to pay the school fees", adding: "The idea they are buying privilege and separation would not resonate with parents here." By Paul Kelso, Sky News.
According to The Telegraph, children in Angela Rayner's constituency face being pushed into "inadequate" state schools as a result of Labour's tax plans. Data from a Freedom of Information request shows the vast majority of state schools in the Greater Manchester borough of Thameside, which includes the deputy Labour leader's Ashton-under-Lyne constituency, are full for September 2024. There are only five schools with capacity to accept more Year 7 pupils in the borough, with a combined total of 101 places. Of these places, only one is at a school rated "good" by Ofsted, with the remaining at schools rated either "inadequate" or "requires improvement". By Mattie Brignal and Pieter Snepvangers. The article mentions the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has claimed that the VAT on fees pledge is vital to reducing "record levels of violence" in classrooms, amid growing concerns about the impact the policy would have in Scotland. He said the "difficult decision" is necessary to provide more funding for state schools, which have lost 173 teachers to cuts in the last year. The article quotes Lorraine Davidson, chief executive of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), and several headteachers at schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations. By Kieran Andrews, The Times.
Speaking to The Mirror, several members of the public share their views on Labour's plans to end the VAT exemption for independent schools. Liz, a psychotherapist from Surrey, says: "Whether it raises enough to ensure the state system can cope with [pupil movement], I don't know. But I already know families that are going to struggle and potentially move their kids back to state, so that's a worry." Mark, the director of an advertising company, says: "My kids are in private school. I work like a dog to pay for them, but Labour are going to put VAT on the school fees. And I'm saying I'm going to vote Labour." By Yakub Qureshi.
Matt Lansley, the Reform UK candidate for Bedford, has claimed Labour's pledge to tax school fees would affect the town "more than anywhere else". He said: "If one of the independent schools [in Bedford] collapses, and I'm getting emails every day saying that's a possibility, it will impact every child in Bedford. And put thousands of local jobs, directly and indirectly, at risk for people who work out of or supply the private schools." By John Guinn, Bedford Today.
In a blog for eteach, Lucy Alexandra Spencer, a private tutor and founder of Education Boutique, explores the potential unintended consequences of Labour's plan in regard to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Warning of the impact it could have on smaller schools, local authorities, and children with additional needs, she concludes: "We need thoughtful assessment and planning to ensure the needs of SEN students are considered and protected. The future of many vulnerable learners hangs in the balance, and the decisions we make today must aim to support and enhance their educational journey, not undermine it."
|
|
Education has taken a 'back seat' during the election, headteachers say
|
|
|
General education
|
Speaking to BBC News, some headteachers have claimed that education issues "are not being addressed" during this General Election campaign, with the focus being on the economy, NHS and immigration. Bill Marshall, headteacher at Humphry Davy School in Penzance, said teacher workload, terms and conditions, and pay are all factors influencing whether people want to work in schools. By Seb Noble.
|
|
'The government's plan to enhance SEND provision doesn't go far enough'
|
|
|
SEND
|
Margaret Mulholland, special educational needs and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, writes in Tes arguing the Department for Education's SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan requires a "fundamental rethink". She states: "Serious change requires the Change Programme to be accompanied by a sector wide review that looks at how inclusion can become a pre requisite for excellence. This means investment in health, social care, and improved accessibility to support services."
|
|
Over £14.5m spent on CEA support for children of diplomats
|
|
|
Independent sector
|
The Mirror reports over £14.5 million was spent last year on financial support enabling the children of diplomats to attend boarding schools under the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) scheme. The CEA is also available to military families through the Ministry of Defence. The average claim per pupil for diplomat families rose to £29,537 in 2023/24, up from £26,848 the previous year. A spokeswoman from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: "Our staff are often asked to move frequently during their career, sometimes at very short notice, which is why it has been the policy of successive governments to support families to ensure their children’s education is disrupted as little as possible. There are clear ceilings on support provided to staff. These ceilings are reviewed annually through independent external benchmarking." By John Stevens.
|
|
A-level physics rated highly by undergraduates, findings suggest
|
|
|
Teaching and learning
|
A survey of undergraduates has found that physics is rated as one of the best taught subjects at A level, and one that will most likely lead to a good career. The survey, commissioned by The Ogden Trust, found that three-quarters of students who took A-level physics said they had enjoyed studying it, with 85 per cent saying it was well taught. 42 per cent of students who chose not to pursue physics at A level cited a lack of enjoyment at GCSE as the main reason, followed by a quarter who referenced poor teaching. The Engineer.
|
|
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.
Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.
Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.
Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.
|
|
|
|
|