Parents with children at independent schools are preparing for further fee rises in the autumn, as schools face a "quadruple whammy" of VAT on fees, higher national insurance employer contributions, business rates and the rising cost of the Teachers' Pension Scheme. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), warned the additional costs could contribute to an exodus of pupils from independent schools to "stretched" state schools, adding: "We know that what we’re seeing at the moment is just the beginning. Schools are only just in the early stages of dealing with VAT on school fees so we are seeing an impact already and history tells us that it takes a couple of years for the effect on the sector to be fully realised." Matthew Bryan, head of Kingswood House, where 70 per cent of pupils have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), said: "We’re trying to make sure that the school is accessible to families who might want to come. At the same time, we have to make sure that we don’t cut provision and we don’t cut budgets." David Walker, director of the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), said: "Boarding schools have had to adjust budgets mid-year and at short notice, at a time when some are still feeling the effects of the pandemic," adding: "This will inevitably mean fee increases for most schools and boarding families, including military families who have seen an uplift in the continuity of education allowance (CEA) but not in line with VAT." Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Connie Dimsdale, iNews. 

The Times explores the increasing cost of independent schooling following the imposition of VAT on fees. The paper speaks to a number of families impacted by the tax policy. Melody and Jesal from Croydon explain that they decided to move one of their four daughters from independent to state school because rising fees became unaffordable. Melody says: "It was such a hard decision. It came down to who it would unsettle the least." The article refers to figures from the ISC, which estimate 4,680 pupils had given notice to leave independent schools by January 2025. By Jack Simpson.

Neil Roskilly, an education consultant and former chief executive of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), has a letter published in The Sunday Times warning that independent schools face industrial action "owing to aggressive opportunism by the teaching unions". Mr Roskilly argues that unions "should not see every adjustment to teachers' pay and conditions as a chance to expand their membership". With many schools restructuring to manage rising costs, he observes that unions could "play a positive role in that process, if they choose to do so". The letter appears below halfway.

Leanne Gregory, a parent from Cornwall, tells iNews about the struggles of securing support for her daughter with complex needs, noting that the process can take up to two years, with many families even being rejected for initial assessments. Ms Gregory describes the system as "broken", noting that despite children being eligible for education, health and care plans (EHCPs), support was lacking from the start. Some legal experts claim local authorities intentionally delay assessments to avoid costs, despite ultimately losing 98.7 per cent of tribunal appeals. The paper reports that funding deficits have left councils struggling, and while the government is drafting reforms, families fear further reductions in EHCP availability. By Paul Gallagher.

In an article for Tes, as the Commons Education Select Committee reaches the midpoint of evidence sessions for its flagship inquiry, Solving the SEND Crisis, Helen Hayes emphasises that stronger partnerships and improved teacher training are crucial for enhancing the SEND support system. She explains: "With improved SEND support in mainstream education, a better equipped workforce and better partnership working between schools, parents, health professionals and local authorities, we could see improvements in support for children and fewer disputes in the system." Helen Hayes is chair of the Commons Education Select Committee.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Dame Rachel de Souza has urged ministers to issue an immediate ban on "nudifying apps" that are used to create explicit images, which she said were often advertised to children. It is illegal to make or possess AI-generated images of naked children but widely available apps that facilitate deepfake pornography are not against the law. A report by the children’s commissioner, which was shared with The Telegraph, warned that such apps have created a legal loophole that allows deeply harmful technology to be used to run "fully fledged online businesses".

Labour MP Sarah Champion has said the Crime and Policing Bill and the Online Safety Act are "not enough" to protect children from "constantly evolving" artificial intelligence (AI) tools. In an opinion piece for LBC, Ms Champion called for ministers to use legislation to require companies to implement risk mitigation strategies in their products from the start, to ensure that their AI products cannot be used to generate illegal content. She also warned that AI has made the creation of child sexual abuse material more widespread, pointing to a report from the Internet Watch Foundation that found a 380 per cent surge in reports involving AI-generated child sexual abuse material. By Katy Ronkin.

Stacey Booth, national officer of the GMB union, has written to Bridget Phillipson calling for a reduction in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools. Ms Booth said members had "raised several concerns about the use of genAI", adding that the primary concern revolved around "the dehumanisation of certain aspects of education", which could affect "the social and emotional development that schools foster". She also claimed that nearly one in five schools are using AI despite staff receiving no training. The Telegraph.

Writing in The Sunday Times, columnist and author Hadley Freeman criticises schools for their increasing reliance on screen time. "Giving children cheap dopamine hits from emojis and cheering AI characters is like pumping junk food straight into their brains at their most formative point," she says. Urging schools to do more to reduce the use of technology in the classroom she concludes: "School isn’t just about learning facts; it’s about learning to socialise: how to hold a conversation, resolve a disagreement, build resilience. It’s about learning how to be a human."

Writing in Tes, safeguarding lead Thomas Michael advises teachers on the dangers of nicotine pouches, which have become increasingly popular among young people as the ban on single-use vapes nears. Mr Michael says looking out for discarded pouches or tubs and identifying changes in a student’s behaviour or mood can help identify possible use. He adds: "It is important that, as schools, we are talking to students and raising awareness of the potential dangers of nicotine consumption and always watching for its use within school."

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

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