A survey by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) has revealed a 1.7 per cent drop in pupil numbers across all year groups at the start of this academic year, based on the responses of 1,185 schools, meaning 8,233 fewer pupils than last September. Since the government's VAT policy is being introduced in the middle of the school year, the ISC believes the fall is “the tip of the iceberg” and expects to see a higher number of pupils leaving the sector next September. The 4.6 per cent drop in students starting Year 7, based on responses from 731 schools, is the biggest it has seen in that year group for at least five years. ISC chief executive Julie Robinson told BBC News that parents are being “put off just by the prospect of VAT” and the figures show the government has underestimated the pupil displacement that will be caused. Speaking to the BBC, parent Richard Clark shared his concerns over affording school fees and finding a state school place for his son, who the family had moved to an independent school to try to better support his academic talents. "We sacrifice so much but effectively are being forced into this position", he said. Principal of Hulme Grammar School Tony Oulton told the broadcaster the school is receiving “multiple phone calls” daily from parents worried about the forthcoming fee rise. The headteacher of a state secondary in Hull also expressed concern about the impact of VAT changes, saying: "I cannot take significantly more numbers here, because we simply don't have the room.” By Kate McGough and Vanessa Clarke, with additional reporting by Harriet Agerholm, Elaine Dunkley and Kristian Johnson.

Today’s BBC Breakfast programme also reported on the findings of the pupil numbers survey. The segment featured an interview with Tony Oulton, who said: “At the end of the day, no matter where a child goes to school, children are children – and education is, I believe, too important to be used as a political football.” Watch from 08:13.

In an interview with BBC 5 Live Breakfast, Christine Cunniffe, principal of LVS Ascot, discussed how the VAT policy is already having an impact on schools and families. Of the pupils leaving her school, those that have cited VAT as the reason are moving into the state sector. Referencing the timing of the policy implementation, Mrs Cunniffe said: “We’re mid-way through a budget year, mid-way through an academic year, and it’s really not fair on pupils and parents – this is causing a lot of stress for a lot of people.” Listen from 1:36:36. 

iNews reports that some of Scotland’s independent schools are preparing to make staff cuts ahead of the VAT policy coming into effect in January. Reference is made to the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), which recently warned of more school closures and redundancies in its submission to the Treasury. Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Adam Forrest.

Ana Undah, whose child had been a pupil at Iona School in Nottingham, has spoken of her devastation at its closure. She said: “It’s not just the loss for the school for my youngest daughter, but part of the community for myself." By Emily Anderson, BBC News.

In the House of Lords (HoL), Lord Taylor of Warwick (non-affiliated) asked ministers "what steps they are taking to ensure sufficient state school places are available following the imposition of VAT on private schools". 

In response, Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) said: "In line with research from the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies the government does not anticipate the ending of the VAT exemption that private schools enjoy to prompt notable movement into the state sector, and any movement is expected to take place over several years. There is significant spare capacity in existing state schools." She added: "The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the school capacity survey and this data shows that in May 2023, 11.7% of primary capacity and 11.5% of secondary capacity was unfilled nationally, meaning school places are available in many parts of the country. The department will monitor demand and capacity using its normal processes and continue to work with local authorities to meet any pressures." Hansard.

A long-read item in Schools Week reveals four key problems Labour faces in its drive to make mainstream schools more inclusive for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The challenges, which include funding and teacher training, have been highlighted by a parent survey revealing that although 90 per cent of parents of pupils with SEND said their child had been well supported in a special school, just 59 per cent said the same in a mainstream school. By Samantha Booth.

Pupils sitting GCSEs in maths, physics and combined science will continue to receive exam aids for three more years, education secretary Bridget Phillipson has said. Following this, ministers anticipate “there may be future changes resulting from the independent review”. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

Children who grew up during the pandemic are arriving at primary school still in buggies, a new report by The Centre for Young Lives has found. Focusing on the early years, the study estimated that a third of children entering education in 2022/23 were not considered “school-ready”, raising concerns over their cognition and social skills. By Poppy Wood, The Telegraph.

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