A new Wealth Index Report by financial planners Saltus, based on a survey of 2,000 affluent parents, has found some 80,000 children could be forced to leave independent schools when VAT is imposed on fees. Speaking to the Daily Mail, principal of LVS Ascot Christine Cunniffe said: "We are estimating we will lose 20 per cent of our pupils by September 2025, but it could be a lot worse – we just don’t know what we are dealing with. It will not be a positive story for us." Head at Bradford Grammar School Simon Hinchcliffe added: "We have seen a cumulative growth in anxiety about what this Labour Government is going to do to fees." The article also quotes head of Stafford Grammar School Nick Pietrek, who expressed concern over the potential decline in school numbers over the next five years. By Elizabeth Ivens.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at independent schools could be at risk once VAT is introduced on school fees, BBC News reports. The broadcaster speaks to a number of parents about their fears that the additional costs will add strain to families already struggling, and that state schools may not be able to provide the same level of support for their children. While pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in place will not be impacted by the change, many pupils with SEND do not have an EHCP. One parent with a child at Wellington School said she fears her youngest child could be placed in a residential care unit without the "stability and extra attention" the school provides. Natasha Dangerfield, headteacher at Westonbirt School, said there are "better ways of asking more of us". She added: "It would be brilliant to be doing more with bursaries from the local authority, and do that with the government rather than working against it." By Thomas Mason.

Voters want special needs schools to be exempt from the government's VAT policy, an exclusive poll for the Daily Mail has revealed. The survey suggests some 54 per cent of voters think VAT should not apply to independent special school fees – with just 28 per cent saying they should not be exempt. The article refers to a quote from Michelle Catterson, head of Moon Hall School, Reigate, who recently warned that pupils without an EHCP could be forced into the state sector. By Harriet Line.

A number of foreign embassies have expressed concerns over the impact of Labour's VAT policy on Britain's 11 bilingual French schools. In a statement, the French embassy said: “They are not typical private schools. As the decision to impose VAT would adversely affect French schools, we have been in contact with the British Government and hope that the implementation of the reform will take into account the very distinctive nature of these schools.” Vincent Caure, a deputy in Emmanuel Macron’s private office, said he was also “deeply concerned” by the VAT policy which, he added, would "not be in line" with Sir Keir Starmer’s drive to renew relations between the two countries. The paper understands that the German and Spanish embassies are also in talks with the government over the tax plans. By Poppy Wood, Joe Wright and James Crisp, The Telegraph.

The Telegraph cites Bristol and Salford, and the London boroughs of Richmond-upon-Thames and Camden, as the four areas most likely to face disruption due to the removal of the VAT exemption on independent school fees - with all four areas having both significant numbers of children in independent schools and high occupancy in state secondary schools. Writing to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the "widest impact of all will be that felt by children and their parents in the state sector", and that the VAT change could result in "increasing class sizes and cost for the taxpayer". By Genevieve Holl-Allen.

The Sunday Times reports that independent schools fear local children whose place might have been paid for with a bursary will lose out under Labour's tax plans. Philip Britton, head of foundation at Bolton School and incoming leader of The Heads’ Conference (HMC), warned: “Additional bursary places that could have been open to children … will now not be open [because of VAT]”. He added: “The rise in fees, however it is managed, will make [independent] schools more exclusive." Head of Mount Kelly Guy Ayling told the paper: “In five years, I have no doubt across the nation we are facing the reality of fewer children from the poorest families in private schools.” A number of other schools in membership of the Independent Schools Council's (ISC) constituent associations are mentioned. By Sian Griffiths, Robert Watts and Matilda Davies.

Responding to the Sunday Times' report on the potential threat to bursaries, Bridget Phillipson told Times Radio she did not accept claims independent schools will be forced to cut back on their bursary provision when the tax policy comes into effect. Ms Phillipson said: “Changes around VAT should not and must not impact on the work that they are doing around bursaries. There is an expectation of course that that would continue.” By David Lynch, The Independent.

Military families could be exempted from the government's VAT policy, defence secretary John Healey has signalled. He told The Sun on Sunday: "I'm looking hard at it, and the army is assessing it at the moment." He added: “This is a question of recognising how important it is to Forces' families. It is taking seriously the importance and the potential impact of the VAT and making sure that we, across the range, do better to keep the best of those who serve in our forces and do better across the range to recruit those who can serve in our forces.” By Kate Ferguson.

In its official response to the government's VAT policy, the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) has warned that Scottish independent schools have “little to no ability” to absorb VAT on school fees because of the removal of business rates two years ago and “significant increases in the cost of employing teachers”. The organisation has also warned that introducing the policy midway through the school year “will lead to the maximum level of disruption to pupils’ education”, particularly for “those in receipt of financial assistance”. By Emma Seith, Tes. Rector of Kelvinside Academy Daniel Wyatt is quoted in The Times, warning that the increase would force thousands of independent school pupils to transfer to comprehensives in the middle of the academic year. He said: “The UK government is using a reserved mechanism to tax a devolved area of government, with no clarity on how the money collected will benefit Scotland.” By Dominic Hauschild.

In a House of Lords question for the Treasury, Lord Kempsell (Conservative) asked how ministers "plan to assess the impact of the proposal to charge VAT on independent school fees at the upcoming spending review; and what is the latest date by which this spending review will be concluded".

In a written answer, Lord Livermore (Labour) replied: "The Government will confirm the introduction of these tax policy changes at the Budget on 30 October. Following scrutiny of the Government's costing by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, details of the Government's assessment of the expected impacts of these policy changes will be published at the Budget in the usual way. The Chancellor has launched a multi-year Spending Review to conclude in Spring 2025." Hansard.

Campaigners are urging ministers to make sure primary aged pupils in special schools and alternative provision do not miss out on Labour's free breakfast clubs policy. The government is planning to reveal the children's wellbeing bill early next year, outlining plans for free breakfast clubs in all primary schools in England. Charities and organisations working with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) schools, and other institutions including pupil referral units, have said the legislation should refer to all "primary aged pupils" rather than just "primary schools" to ensure that many of those most in need are not overlooked. By Toby Helm, The Observer. 

Prof Julia Waters, the sister of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life last year after her school was downgraded from outstanding to inadequate, is joining teachers' unions in a call for deeper reforms of England's education inspectorate. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has advocated a "complete reset", adding: "School leaders accept the need for accountability, but it must be humane, proportionate and fair. The reform that is so desperately needed cannot be left in Ofsted's hands alone." By Anna Fazackerley, The Observer. 

In an article for The Guardian, several state-educated public speakers share their advice for pupils on how to develop their oracy skills and grow in confidence. By Sarah Phillips. 

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