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Daily News Summary
21 January 2025

Independent schools forced to charge VAT on school meals despite Labour's promise of exemption
Britain sees largest increase in children with SEND amid ADHD surge, figures show
EPI urges DfE to measure pupil wellbeing
Education secretary: Universities must demonstrate 'best outcomes' amid fee rises

Independent schools forced to charge VAT on school meals despite Labour's promise of exemption

 

Independent schools have been forced to charge VAT on school lunches despite the government promising they would be exempt from the tax policy. Ministers said in July that school meals were “integral to children accessing education” and would therefore “remain exempt” from VAT. However, The Telegraph understands that many independent schools have had to add the levy to fees charged to parents for lunches due to inconsistencies between guidelines published by the Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is working with HMRC to resolve the issue, which could result in higher fees for parents than is necessary. Speaking to the paper, an ISC spokesperson said: “The written guidance suggests VAT should be levied [on school lunches] while informal guidance suggests it shouldn’t. Most bursars are erring on the side of caution and going with the official, written advice.” By Noah Eastwood. 

 
The Telegraph

Britain sees largest increase in children with SEND amid ADHD surge, figures show

 

The number of schoolchildren receiving support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is growing faster in Britain than any other major European economy amid a surge in reported autism and ADHD, according to data compiled by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. The figures reveal a 40 per cent increase in the number of pupils from pre-school to secondary receiving official support in England, Scotland and Wales since 2016-2017, which surpasses those in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain and has been driven by a rise in nursery-age children receiving support. The figures suggest Scotland is a disproportionately large driver of claims, despite representing only 10 per cent of the British population. By Szu Ping Chan, The Telegraph.

The Guardian's latest Today In Focus podcast highlights the challenges families face in securing support for children with SEND. Education editor Richard Adams tells presenter and producer Hannah Moore that a decade of underfunding has left local authorities under great strain. Tamara, whose six-year-old daughter Violet is autistic and has speech and learning difficulties, shares her experience of seeking educational provision to support Violet's needs. For Dominic, a primary school teacher in Nottinghamshire, the funding crisis means fewer adults in the classroom, impacting the education of all children.

 

EPI urges DfE to measure pupil wellbeing

 

The Department for Education (DfE) should consider how to capture pupil wellbeing levels as part of plans to reform the accountability system, an Education Policy Institute (EPI) report has recommended. Noting that "there are no current measures of pupil wellbeing available in centrally-collected data", the think tank points to annual surveys conducted in areas such as Greater Manchester and Hampshire as examples of how this data could be gathered more broadly. By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

 
Tes

Education secretary: Universities must demonstrate 'best outcomes' amid fee rises

 

Universities must show that they deliver the “best outcomes” for students following the rise in tuition fees, Bridget Phillipson has said. In a written ministerial statement yesterday, the education secretary said universities should “raise the bar further” on teaching standards and “drive out poor practice”, while also emphasising the need to broaden access and enhance outcomes for disadvantaged students. Ms Phillipson added that the government will set out its longer-term plan for higher education reform by summer. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent. 

 
The Independent

 

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