Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), will today argue against the imposition of VAT on independent school fees during a debate in the House of Lords. The debate comes as campaigners are set to deliver a petition to Downing Street with 203,400 signatures calling for independent school fees to remain VAT-free. The Education Not Taxation group claims many of the signatories are working parents who will have to withdraw their children from their schools, adding that it is supported by parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who cannot get the attention they need within state schools. By Eleanor Harding, Daily Mail.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Lord Kempsell warns that Labour's VAT policy will adversely impact the children of service personnel, many of whom depend on independent schools for the continuity of their education while their parents are deployed abroad. Lord Kempsell says: "Today I will use a debate in the House of Lords to call on the Government once again to exempt military families from its plan to tax private education." He continues: "I'm worried the Prime Minister's education tax could soon impact our national security", adding: "There is a very obvious argument that these military families should be helped with the option to send their children there to reduce the pressure on family life, enabling them to continue to serve their country."

As part of a collection of articles in The Spectator focusing on the VAT policy, Guy Ayling, headmaster and principal of the Mount Kelly Foundation, urges Labour to "work with schools, not tax them out of existence". In a separate article, writer, ex-private tutor and parent Philip Womack warns that the tax changes will have a "desperately sad" effect in limiting access to independent schools to the "super-rich". Dan Hitchens explores how faith schools would be among those hit hardest by the policy, while Ross Clark considers how falling birth rates could pose a threat to state and independent schools alike. 

In an opinion piece for The National, East Asian affairs correspondent Sholto Byrnes argues that Labour's VAT policy "could backfire". Writing from his home in Malaysia, Mr Byrnes reflects on his own education and the scholarship he was given to an independent school. He warns: "Forcing private schools to increase their fees still more [...] will paradoxically make them far more the preserve of the super-rich elite, since only they will be able to afford the fortunes required for their children to go to these schools."

The Times asks readers to get in touch if their family will be affected by VAT on school fees. Those who wish to take part are asked to complete the form at the end of the page or email [email protected] with “Private schools VAT” in the subject line. By Sifa Manara.

In a letter to The Telegraph, head of St Andrew's Prep Tom Gregory responds to the decision to scrap Ofsted's headline inspection grades. He argues that while this is a step forward, the real issue lies in the inspection process itself, which is "far from" its intended purpose of aligning with daily school life. Mr Gregory suggests "relationship" inspectors should be introduced to collaborate with schools "on a regular, two-way basis" to identify schools' strengths and areas to focus on. 

Ben Horan, head at Prior Park College, writes to The Times welcoming the decision to end single-word Ofsted grades, while expressing concern over the speed with which the change has been enacted. He says: "A properly considered, well-researched alternative to the existing system has not yet been adequately articulated. It must be, and soon."

The letters appear halfway down their respective pages.

More state schools than independent schools were among the top 20 that counted the most Oxbridge offers last year, analysis of admission statistics has found. Of the 80 schools in the full list, 29 were independent, 29 grammar or partially selective, 17 sixth form colleges and five comprehensives or academies. Westminster School is highlighted, having received more Oxbridge offers for its pupils than any other school in 2023, at 69 from 165 applications. Several other schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are also mentioned. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

According to an Ipsos survey for The Telegraph, 53 per cent of people believe parents should be able to let their children skip class for a day to go on holiday without a school's permission. The poll also found that 40 per cent of respondents think parents should be able to take their children on holiday for a week without teachers' approval. This comes after education secretary Bridget Phillipson wrote in The Sunday Times warning of an "absence epidemic", adding: "Reasons for not being in school do not include cheaper holidays, birthday treats or even a runny nose." By Poppy Wood.

Writing in Tes, Margaret Mulholland warns that the government's recently updated attendance guidance "risks damaging self-esteem and reducing young people’s sense of belonging". Ms Mulholland, special educational needs and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, adds: "We should be removing barriers to re-engagement with school rather than creating them."

Bridget Phillipson met with education unions yesterday to discuss a "new model" for government to work in "partnership" with the schools sector. The move could see unions and employers being asked to contribute their perspectives at an "early stage" of policy development. The education secretary will also meet with the Confederation of School Trusts, Local Government Association and college groups "who we hope will provide important input from school and college employers into new partnership arrangements". By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week. 

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