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Daily News Summary
17 January 2025

ISC CEO urges ministers to 'rethink' VAT on fees policy amid news of school closures
House of Commons written answer: Independent education fees and charges
Letter: Education secretary 'using her office to undermine excellence'
Home secretary announces inquiries into grooming gangs
Ofsted inspection reforms 'do not go far enough', warns NAHT leader
Animal welfare charity issues guidance as number of school dogs rises

ISC CEO urges ministers to 'rethink' VAT on fees policy amid news of school closures

 

Chatsworth Schools has announced the proposed closure of two of its schools, The Village Prep School and Highfield Preparatory School. In an email to parents, seen by The Telegraph, chief executive of Chatsworth Schools Fred Knipe said the proposal has resulted from declining pupil numbers at both schools. Mr Knipe explained: "The introduction of VAT on school fees in the Budget and the impending increase in employers’ national insurance unfortunately means it has become unsustainable to keep these schools open beyond summer 2025." The Village Prep School is situated in Sir Keir Starmer’s North London constituency and Highfield Preparatory School is in Berkshire, with Chatsworth also operating nine other schools and nurseries across the UK. Chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Julie Robinson warned that further closures can be expected, leading to staff redundancies and disrupted education for students. She said: “Many people warned the government that VAT would prove a bridge too far for schools already under financial pressure – we are now seeing the reality: school closures, dedicated staff losing their jobs and children having their education disrupted.” Urging ministers to rethink their tax policy and work with the independent sector to mitigate its negative impact, she added: "This is something that we will unfortunately see again over the coming months and years – with more communities losing an employer, a partner and an educational hub for local children." By Josh Kirby and Pieter Snepvangers.

Writing in iNews, former Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips defends the government's VAT on fees policy, arguing that it will "go a small step towards making our nation seem fairer".

 

House of Commons written answer: Independent education fees and charges

 

In a written question for the Department for Education, former education secretary Damian Hinds asked what information is held on the average fees charged by independent schools for the term starting in (a) January 2024, (b) September 2024 and (c) January 2025. Labour education minister Stephen Morgan explained that the annual school census in England gathers data each January from all registered independent schools, including their lowest and highest day and boarding fees before bursaries or fee reductions. Detailing the figures, he said: "Using the average of the reported lowest and highest fees charged for each school from the latest information available, from the January 2024 collection, shows that across independent schools that charge fees: The mean annual day fee charged was £27,642. The median annual day fee was £15,371. The mean annual boarding fee was £52,399. The median annual boarding fee was £32,310. Data from the 2025 January collection will be available late June 2025." Hansard.

 
Hansard

Letter: Education secretary 'using her office to undermine excellence'

 

Writing to The Telegraph, Mark Mortimer, warden of Glenalmond College argues that Bridget Phillipson's education policies lack an "inspiring vision" and that the education secretary is removing "anything deemed to be in the slightest bit elitist or intellectual – for example, the state-school Latin programme". Mr Mortimer warns against this approach, and concludes: "We cannot stand by and allow the government to drive through changes that risk lasting damage to the education and life chances of future generations." The letter appears a quarter of the way down the page.

 
The Telegraph

Home secretary announces inquiries into grooming gangs

 

Yvette Cooper has announced plans for a nationwide review of grooming gang evidence and five government-backed local inquiries. The home secretary will not be launching a statutory national inquiry, as called for by the Conservative Party and some Labour MPs, but her proposals mark a shift in the government's position. Ms Cooper said leading lawyer Tom Crowther, who headed an inquiry in Telford, would help Oldham and four other pilot areas yet to be named to develop their own reviews. By Kate Whannel and Ed Thomas, BBC News.

 
BBC

Ofsted inspection reforms 'do not go far enough', warns NAHT leader

 

According to a new survey, 93 per cent of National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) members do not have confidence in Ofsted to design an effective new inspection framework. Commenting on the findings, the union's general secretary Paul Whiteman said the watchdog's reforms, which follow the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, "do not go anywhere near far enough". By Katie Waple and PA Media for BBC News.

 
BBC

Animal welfare charity issues guidance as number of school dogs rises

 

The Dogs Trust has provided guidance for headteachers on fostering positive interactions between pupils and the growing presence of school dogs. The animal welfare charity, which advises against using dogs in schools, has acknowledged it "is a trend we have seen grow in popularity in the UK". The guidance states that dogs, which must be trained before being introduced to a school, should be supervised by their owners at all times, and schools must provide a designated area where the dog can rest undisturbed. By Clare Worden, BBC News.

 
BBC

 

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