Figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) have revealed that enrolments at independent schools this academic year have fallen by 2.7 per cent, the largest annual drop since the ISC began collecting data on new starters in 2011. The data from the ISC’s census, which will be published next week, shows a 0.1 per cent decrease in the overall numbers of pupils attending independent school, the first fall since 2013 apart from during the pandemic. Chief executive of the ISC Julie Robinson said many new parents have been asking about VAT, with headteachers reporting concerns. Speaking to The Times, she said: "Parents are under pressure from the cost of living and recovering from the impact of Covid.... We’re starting to see already the impact of VAT looming on the horizon." Ms Robinson continued: "Some schools are already surveying parents to ensure they have the right priorities in cuts, if it comes to it. They’re preparing for the worst." Susan Hannam, head of Lichfield Cathedral School, is also quoted saying: "I’m really concerned VAT will scare off some parents from embracing this extraordinary and life-changing experience for their children." A Q&A section summarises Labour's tax plans and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Nicola Woolcock. This has also been covered by Ted Hennessey for The Independent and Albert Tait for The Telegraph.

Speaking to Ben Kentish on LBC, Ms Robinson said the threat of VAT on fees “is absolutely one of the main factors” contributing to the decline in pupil numbers at independent schools, with both current and prospective parents worried about the impact of Labour’s tax proposals. (Listen from 02:08:37)

Julie Robinson and Christine Cunniffe, principal of LVS Ascot, shared their concerns about the policy in an interview with Peter Cardwell on TalkTV. Mrs Cunniffe warned of the impact of VAT on parents who are already making financial sacrifices, saying: “This is such a big hike, I can’t see how it’s going to work.” Ms Robinson added: “The aim of this policy is to raise funds for the state sector, but since we’re already seeing pupils moving into the state sector from the independent sector, it looks like that gamble might not pay off.”

Mrs Cunniffe also appeared on Times Radio with Chloe Tilley and Calum Macdonald, where she questioned the rationale behind Labour’s tax plans. She added: “Every headteacher wants every child to have the best possible education they can, but you can’t just throw money at a problem.” (Listen from 02:06:28)

Labour’s tax proposals would place a significant burden on the state sector and disrupt the education of thousands of young people, especially pupils with additional support needs, a report by Biggar Economics for the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) has warned. The research suggests that 6,000 children would have their learning disrupted by being forced out of independent schools and the cost of pupils joining the state system would be more than £50 million. Calling for educators to engage with the independent sector, "rather than against it", chief executive of SCIS Lorraine Davidson said: “There will be a significant burden imposed on the state sector in Scotland, with an expected influx of pupils who will be forced out of the independent sector, if VAT is applied to fees.” By John Boothman, The Times. A live poll is being conducted by the paper, asking readers to vote on whether VAT should be added to school fees. The poll appears at the bottom of the page.

A separate item in The Times looks at how independent school fees could change under Labour's tax plans. Issues such as how much fees could rise by and who could be affected are discussed. Reference is made to the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA), which has warned there is a risk that a Labour government could choose to levy VAT from the point at which the money is spent rather than when it is paid. By Oliver Wright.

Wealth advisers have told The Telegraph that grandparents are taking the “nuclear option” of moving into smaller homes or releasing equity from them to cover Labour's proposed tax on fees. Gianpaolo Mantini, a financial planner at wealth management firm Saltus, said his clients were “very apprehensive” about the party's policy. By Matti Brignal.

Girls who attend all-girls schools get better exam results than girls with similar backgrounds at mixed schools, as well as outdoing boys at all-boys schools, according to analysis by FFT Datalab. While girls’ schools have been known to outperform other types of school in England, the analysis found that even after adjusting for background characteristics there was an unexplained boost for pupils at girls’ schools, equivalent to 10 per cent higher GCSE grades last year. Chief executive of the Girls' Schools Association Donna Stevens and Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust, are quoted on the findings. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Alleyn's School has become one of the first in the UK to launch an "Artificial Intelligence Constitution" to guide and protect pupils using AI. The school has drawn up the constitution's rules and guidelines and sent them to parents ahead of introducing AI to its curriculum this September. Describing the reasons behind the move, headteacher Jane Lunnon said: “It will bring a real parity for pupils and for teachers and parents. In a sense, it’s a refinement of the traditional school rules and we are making sure that everyone knows what they are." Acknowledging the challenges posed by AI for schools, she added: “We can’t ignore AI. It is not going to disappear from our minds. It is the genie that will now not go back into the bottle – but you can absolutely make sure that everyone is clear about the risks, boundary them and make everything age appropriate." By Elizabeth Ivens, The Telegraph.

Pupils are being affected by an increasing number of cyber attacks on schools, government data has shown. A total of 347 cyber incidents were reported in the education and childcare sector last year, an increase of 55 per cent on 2022, with most schools and colleges identifying a cyber-security breach in the past year. By Nathan Standley and Elaine Dunkley, BBC News.

Allowing children to scroll on smartphones during mealtimes or eat in front of the television can result in them becoming obese, research from the University of Minho in Portugal has found. Scientists have subsequently warned that the distraction of screens stops children from realising when they are full, meaning they simply continue to eat. By Eleanor Hayward, The Times. 

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