Labour's VAT on fees policy will "interfere with the fundamental right to education", the High Court has heard. In front of a packed courtroom, which included headteachers and a number of pupils listening from the public gallery, Lord Pannick KC argued that the government's policy is discriminatory. The legal challenge is being brought by families who say their particular educational requirements "cannot be adequately met in the state sector", including those who have children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and children at faith schools. Speaking on behalf of the parents of children with SEND, Lord Pannick said the policy impedes their right to access education and the policy is "unprecedented" in all other Council of Europe states. Approximately a quarter of families affected by the VAT changes fall below the average wealth level, and the policy has been brought in "irrespective of the needs of the child" or of the ability of the family to pay, he added. Speaking outside the court, Caroline Santer, headteacher at The King's School, said she was hopeful the review would change things in light of the "strong argument". In his written submission, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the government, stated that parents wishing to opt out of "universally accessible state-funded education" are free to choose "any private education for their child that they can afford", or they are able to "educate their child at home". Sir James will also argue that taxes, minimum wage laws and national insurance, which all affect the cost of independent school fees, do not interfere with "with freedom to offer or receive private education". The hearing is set to last for three days and is being held before three judges. A decision is expected in writing at a later date. By Vanessa Clarke, BBC News. Also covered by Poppy Wood for The Telegraph, Georgia Lambert and Nicola Woolcock for The Times, Richard Adams for The Guardian, Eleanor Harding for the Daily Mail and Maria Ward-Brennan for CityAM. There is also coverage from Independent School Management Plus and Sky News.

The hearing has received, and continues to receive, extensive press attention. A number of families have shared their own personal experiences of how they have already been affected by the tax policy. Speaking to iNews, Leanne Gunns explained that her son has a neurological condition causing physical disability, requiring him to use a wheelchair. He also has hearing impairments and sensory needs, making it impossible for him to learn in a busy, noisy classroom. She said: "The VAT added to school fees directly discriminates against children with additional needs, whose needs cannot be met in the state sector. In the case of Charlie, a state school simply doesn’t exist." By Alannah Francis.

During a House of Lords debate in which peers scrutinised the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Lord Lexden said: "Throughout, the government's position has been in essence that we have to take away—they say—some of the resources of seven per cent of our country's schools to enable 93 per cent to make improvements. State schools will gain little or nothing from Labour's tax raid, which will simply harm independent schools." He added: "I have tried to provide a voice for small independent schools, as president of the Independent Schools Association, whose 720 members are, for the most part, cherished small local schools. As I have said several times, 40 per cent of independent schools have under 100 pupils. Their future is now in jeopardy, thanks to this government. Ministers will be held to account here in Parliament and in the country at large for the damage their policies will do to these schools, which contribute so richly to our communities in spheres such as special needs, music, the arts and sport, as I and a number of noble friends have shown in these debates. Labour's discriminatory tax burdens threaten their very survival." 

Lord Blunkett submitted a written question in the House of Lords in which he asked whether ministers plan to provide military families with priority for school admissions when parents are transferred from one place to another. Baroness Smith of Malvern outlined some of the measures in place relating to admissions, particularly in relation to boarding schools. She said: "The government has policies in place to support schools and local authorities to fulfil their duty to give due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant. This includes in specific areas of education provision, including school admissions." Baroness Smith added: "Admission authorities are able to give priority in their oversubscription criteria to children in receipt of the Service Pupil Premium, and publicly funded boarding schools must give service children who qualify for Ministry of Defence financial assistance with the cost of boarding fees priority after looked after and previously looked after children."

In a written question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Jess Brown-Fuller asked if ministers will adjust the means testing methodology for the Music and Dance Scheme to reflect the cost of VAT on fees. Education minister Catherine McKinnell said: "For the 2024/25 academic year, the department adjusted the Music and Dance Scheme bursary contribution for families with a relevant income below £45,000 to account for the VAT introduction from January 2025. This methodology will be reviewed for future years and details will be set out in due course." Hansard.

Councils throughout England have spent over £3.7 billion on placing children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in independent schools, ITV News analysis reveals. More than 80 per cent of pupils with SEND attend mainstream state schools, according to data from the Department for Education, but in certain cases, a child’s education, health and care plan (EHCP) may recommend enrolling them in an independent school with costs covered by the local authority. The broadcaster explores the issue of rising costs and demand for SEND provision. Jonathan Hetherington, headteacher at More House School, which educates over 500 pupils with SEND - around 70 per cent of whom are funded by local authorities - is quoted. He states that the school's growth from just 60 students 30 years ago, along with the distances families are willing to travel, highlights the rising demand for SEND support. "We are a vital partner for our local authorities - we actually have 29 different local authorities who use placements at More House School," he says. Sophie Burrows, a parent at the school, describes her sons' experience as transformative, saying: "The boys travel up to an hour to get there, but the impact has been life-changing. They receive daily interventions, including occupational therapy, literacy therapy, and speech and language therapy." By Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, ITV News. 

In an article for Tes, Ian Watts offers strategies for managing workload more effectively. Outlining five practical time-saving approaches to help colleagues stay on top of things, he says: "By managing your time wisely, you give yourself the flexibility to focus on what truly matters - being present for the students and staff who need you." Mr Watts is an assistant headteacher and wellbeing lead at a secondary school in Kuala Lumpur.

In the ISC's latest blog, Rosie Burt, a Year 12 student at Quinton House School, explains how an annual conference led by pupils is shining a light on some of the key issues facing young people today.

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