Writing in The Telegraph, founder and chief executive of Boscobel and Partners George Trefgarne argues that Labour's VAT policy would negatively impact education by forcing many parents, particularly military personnel and those with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to withdraw from independent schools due to rising costs. This, he says, would strain the state system, which lacks the capacity and resources to accommodate more pupils. Mr Trefgarne outlines the case of Alexis Quinn, the mother of an autistic child who intends to challenge Labour’s plans under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Warning that the move could lead to further legal challenges under human rights laws, ultimately undermining the plan’s effectiveness in raising revenue, he concludes: "The Government would do well to abandon its plans."

In her first Labour Party conference speech as education secretary, Bridget Phillipson has emphasised the need for change to ensure "success belongs to each and every child". In addition to reiterating the party's intention to tax independent school fees, Ms Phillipson outlined Labour's plans to tackle child poverty, improve early years education, and enhance opportunities for all children. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week.

In an interview with Independent School Management Plus, director of education at The Heads’ Conference (HMC) Kate Howell discusses the "mixed views" about assessment reform across the independent sector. During the in-depth conversation, Ms Howell emphasises a growing commitment to innovative curricula among schools and highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in reform efforts to benefit UK education as a whole. “We’re very very concerned obviously about reform of assessment not being seen just as something for the independent sector,” she says. By Irena Barker.

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