In yesterday’s Daily News Summary, when referencing a letter in The Times, we erroneously reported that the Independent Schools Association (ISA) has 200 member schools. In fact, the ISA represents the headteachers of 660 of the UK’s best independent schools. We would like to apologise for this mistake.

The Labour Party will exempt state boarding schools from its plans to tax independent school fees following an outcry from the State Boarding Forum (SBF) and pressure by The Telegraph. A Labour source confirmed yesterday that 32 state boarding schools will not be subject to the levy, in what the paper reports to be the first climbdown the party has made over the tax policy. Welcoming the news, David Walker, director of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA), said: "Young people would potentially have their education interrupted. They are going to state boarding schools for stability... they are having a brilliant education. The last thing they want is for it to be disrupted.” The paper notes that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and children from military families are still yet to learn how the tax will apply to them. By Noah Eastwood. Have your child’s school plans been affected by Labour’s pledge for a private school tax? The Telegraph asks readers to share their experiences by emailing money@telegraph.co.uk.

The Telegraph reports that the number of enquiries for loans to help pay for independent school fees has risen by a quarter. According to School Fee Plan, the number of parents and schools it is in talks with has risen significantly so far this year, compared to the same time in 2023. A number of schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council's (ISC) constituent associations are mentioned. By Poppy Wood.

In letters to The Guardian, readers share their concerns over Labour's proposed VAT policy. One warns that "it will have a significant impact on less privileged rural communities", while another urges the party to consider the effect on pupils receiving bursary support and children with SEND. He writes: "When a large number of them are forced by the VAT imposition into an under-resourced state special needs system that is already in deep crisis, the outcome will be disastrous for those children and their families." A letter on Labour's education policies from head at Reigate Grammar School Shaun Fenton is also featured, in which he restates independent schools' willingness to work on a shared goal of improving education for every child.

Parents of children at independent schools are being urged to apply for places in state schools in a bid to 'disrupt' Labour's school fee tax plans, the Daily Mail reports. Campaigners from The Edinburgh Question group are calling for families to put their child's name down for taxpayer-funded schools – even if they never intend to take up the place – as a "demonstration" against the policy. 

As the General Election approaches, iNews takes a look at where the party leaders went to school and began their political journeys. By Sally Guyoncourt.

The number of teacher vacancies in the education sector has reached its highest level in 14 years, with unfilled roles having more than doubled in the past three years, according to workforce data from the Department for Education (DfE). The figures also suggest that fewer pupils are being taught by specialists in secondary schools. Tes explores the DfE's data and warns that the new figures on teacher retention underline a key challenge for whichever party takes power in July. By Jack Worth.

The number of pupils in alternative provision (AP) has risen by 20 per cent in a year, taking numbers back to pre-pandemic levels, the DfE figures have shown. In addition to a rise in placements following exclusions, the government's statistics indicate increases in the numbers of pupils placed in AP due to a mental health need or in off-site placements for behavioural support. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

A group of 16 secondary schools in south London have formed an alliance to try to prevent pupils having smartphones until they reach the age of 14. Each of the schools already has a strict mobile phone policy but have pledged to now confiscate smartphones for longer or insist they are picked up by parents. By Mark Sellman, The Times. 

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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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.

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