Ministers have advised military families on how to find cheaper independent schools amid government plans to impose VAT on fees. The Telegraph reports that leaked internal communications, circulated to serving members of the Armed Forces, gave parents guidance on how to switch schools if they were hit by fee increases as a result of the policy. There are concerns the limited financial protection offered may drive personnel out of the Armed Forces, exacerbating an existing recruitment and retention crisis. The paper understands both the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have not yet worked out how much to increase the CEA. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has called on the MoD to explain to military families exactly what impact the VAT hike will have on them. “The government really need to let service families know where they stand, and sharpish,” he said. By Danielle Sheridan and Poppy Wood. A related parliamentary written question posed by Mr Cartlidge is covered in the next section.

In an item on the VAT policy and military families, Sky News interviews Lieutenant Colonel James Charlesworth who shares his concerns about the impact VAT on fees will have on his eldest son, who is also in the army, serves abroad and whose daughter is at boarding school. "I think it is highly likely that he will leave the military and find a job elsewhere," the retired officer says. Concluding the segment, reporter Deborah Haynes says: "The military already has a recruitment and retention crisis. It could be about to get even worse."

One in four SEND colleges will be affected by Labour's new tax on fees due to changes to the legal definition of an independent school, FE Week reports. A technical note that was published alongside the recent Budget has confirmed the definition change, which will mean some 33 specialist colleges in England have until 1 January to register to add 20 per cent to the fees they charge local authorities, while another 28 are unsure whether the tax reforms apply to them. By Anviksha Patel.

In a House of Commons written question, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge asked the secretary of state for defence what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing assistance with VAT on school fees to children of service families not currently in receipt of the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA).

Responding, minister for veterans and people Alistair Carns said: "The Continuity of Education (CEA) scheme recognises the enormous sacrifices our military families make and aims to minimise the disruption to their children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home. The Government remains committed to improving Service life and renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and their families. Whilst the new VAT policy does not offer any exemptions, the Government is committed to monitoring how these changes affect military families, with any potential adjustments to the scheme being considered during the next Spending Review. To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State has directed that the cap on the current rates is uprated, and CEA rates are recalculated to take into account the addition of VAT. This will ensure the Ministry of Defence continues to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the taxation changes." Hansard.

In an opinion piece for Schools Week, Dr Peter Gray says reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system have led to authorities facing financial issues, schools struggling to meet diverse needs, and low parental satisfaction. Dr Gray explains why the SEN Policy Research Forum (SENPRF) is calling for a new, evidence-based policy approach that empowers local professionals and families, rather than relying on additional funding or top-down directives. Dr Peter Gray is SENPRF's co-ordinator.

Parents have been told to state their three-year-old’s preferred gender when registering them for a place at school, The Telegraph reports. More than 100 local authorities have been asking for the gender identity and sex of primary school pupils, with forms asking parents to select whether their child is either “man/boy/male” or “woman/girl/female” or if they would “prefer to self-describe”. By Alex Barton. 

Sir Martyn Oliver has told school leaders not to turn away “difficult” pupils over fears they will harm their results. Addressing delegates at the Confederation of School Trusts, Ofsted's chief inspector of schools said there will be a focus on inclusion in the report-card style inspection reports to be introduced next year. “First and foremost, schools must meet the needs of all their local children," he said. By Richard Adams, The Guardian. 

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