The Telegraph speaks to Sam Howell, a parent whose four-year-old daughter Maddie is facing the prospect of being left without a school place in the autumn. Sam shares her concerns over Labour's plan to tax independent school fees and its likely effect on children like Maddie, who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). She says: “If you’ve got a diagnosis it’s real, the struggle that child is having whether they are on the spectrum or they’ve got another disorder, these children need help... they are getting lost and it’s failing them massively.” The paper states that, according to Labour's manifesto, none of the funds the party plans to raise through the VAT policy would be spent on support for pupils with SEND in state schools. The article references a quote from Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), reiterating calls for Labour to carry out a “full impact assessment” to understand the effects its VAT levy would have on children with additional needs. Ms Robinson adds: "Over 100,000 children and young people without an EHCP receive specialist SEND support in our schools. VAT on their parents’ fees will disrupt education for thousands of them, placing further strain on state SEND provision, which is already in crisis." By Pieter Snepvangers. Readers are invited to contact money@telegraph.co.uk if they would be affected by Labour's tax plans.

When questioned about the Labour Party's VAT proposals by Kamali Melbourne on Sky News, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that while she "recognises the right of parents to choose where they educate their children and that can extend to a private school", there are "tough decisions to make about how we prioritise public money". Ms Phillipson added: "My priority if I were education secretary in a Labour government would be to invest in our state system."

An article in The Telegraph outlines Labour's VAT policy and explores some of the options available to parents facing higher fees. The article quotes Julie Robinson on apprehension felt by families towards the proposals: "New parents for this year are asking about VAT, you hear that from speaking to any head teacher. There is noticeable concern. Parents are under pressure from the cost of living and recovering from the impact of Covid. The majority of families are dual-income households who can afford fees but not comfortably." Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned and reference is made to figures from the ISC. By Ben Butcher, Ella Nunn and Joe Wright.

Labour's tax plans could place "immense pressure" on class sizes at Bolton’s state schools if VAT is imposed on independent school fees, councillors have heard. Bolton Council recently debated a motion on the issue, during which Conservative councillor John Walsh warned the tax policy is not sustainable, adding: "There is already massive pressures on our state schools and a growing number of students." The article references Bolton School. By Chris Gee, Manchester Evening News.

Writer Arabella Byrne shares the views of fellow independent sector parents on Labour's VAT policy in an article exploring how families are preparing for the possibility that fees will rise. The Times.

In a letter to The Telegraph, Janet M Fleming from Birmingham expresses concern over the lack of school places available in the state sector, and the potential added impact of Labour's VAT policy. Ms Fleming outlines her own family's struggles with trying to secure school places following a house move, adding: "If, as Sir Keir Starmer says, there are plenty of places in state schools in the event of a private school exodus under Labour, perhaps he could tell me why my two great-granddaughters are still waiting for places. I fear some private school children will be adults before they get a place." The letter appears just above half-way.

In an article for Schools Week, director of Public First Ed Dorrell offers twelve "signposts" for the approaches Labour might take to education, based on the party's political values, should it win tomorrow's General Election. He concludes that if the party does come to power, "working in a school system run by Labour will feel very different to today". 

Teachers receive “minimal” training on writing, despite a strong appetite among staff for further development to help pupils at primary and secondary level, according to a review by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). The research found teachers had little in-school continuing professional development in writing, and that the subject tends to receive little coverage during university training. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

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