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VAT on fees policy: 'How far will that stretch?'
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Independent sector
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Speaking to iNews, a number of teachers describe state schools as underfunded, understaffed, and struggling to provide adequate learning environments. The article explores how rising costs, including teacher pay and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, have outpaced government funding, forcing schools to make "difficult choices" such as increasing class sizes and relying on non-specialist teachers. While Labour’s proposed VAT on independent school fees aims to redirect funds to state schools, some question whether it will be sufficient to tackle the issues that have been exacerbated by years of austerity and the pandemic. Uncertain about the VAT on fees policy, which could force a significant number of pupils out of independent schools and into the state sector, potentially undermining its financial benefits, James* remarks: "I don’t know the figures, and we’ll take the money, of course, we need it... but I think it’s a tricky situation." *Names of all teachers have been changed. By Florence Wilkinson.
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House of Commons debate: Armed Forces Commissioner Bill
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Political
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During a debate in the House of Commons on the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill, Conservative MP Mark Francois raised a question regarding the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). He explained that the VAT on fees policy will impact around 4,200 children of service personnel, since the 12.5 per cent to 16.6 per cent increase in the CEA leaves parents to cover the shortfall from post-tax income. He said: "In the worst cases, the VAT will have an adverse impact on military families using CEA, who could see their contributions increase by over 50 per cent for senior school pupils." Continuing, Mr Francois warned: "This is not just an officer’s benefit. It is a very important benefit for senior non-commissioned officers. If the costs become unsustainable, there is a risk that they will leave the armed forces, and that someone whom it may have cost the Crown over £1 million to train will leave, which would very much be a false economy."
In response, Conservative MP James Cartlidge explained that Amendment 10 was introduced to monitor the impact of the VAT on fees policy on military families sending their children to independent schools, as many serving personnel, especially those deployed abroad, are concerned about the added financial burden. Mr Cartlidge cited the case of a wife of an army officer for whom the sudden VAT imposition would cost their family an extra £14,500 annually, leading her husband to consider leaving the Army, highlighting the potential effect on retention. He concluded: "This is not a minor matter. If we are worried about retention, surely the last thing any of us wants is for people like that to consider leaving." Hansard.
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Assistive tech training to be mandatory for all new teachers, DfE announces
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Teacher training
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The Department for Education (DfE) has announced that all new teachers will be required to complete mandatory training on using assistive technology to support children with special educational needs and disabilities. Tes understands that the requirement for teachers to have the training will be introduced this September. Speaking at the Bett edtech show later today, education secretary Bridget Phillipson is also expected to unveil measures aimed at streamlining education processes and driving higher standards. By Jasmine Norden.
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One in 12 children at risk of online sexual exploitation or abuse, report warns
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Safeguarding
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One in 12 children globally is exposed to online child sexual exploitation and abuse, research has found. Experts have warned that the issue is escalating as a result of the rapid development of and easier access to social media. According to the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, more than 3.2 million reports of suspected child exploitation and abuse images and videos were received in 2023, a 23 per cent lift on the 2021 figures. In the UK, data released by the the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) last November showed that online child grooming cases rose by 89 per cent in six years. By Rachel Clun, The Independent.
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Record number of children being referred to Prevent programme, Home Office figures show
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Security
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More children and young people are being referred to the Prevent programme in England and Wales per year than at any time since recent records began, although the number who are then judged as requiring help has fallen, according to Home Office data. In an article for The Independent, the PA news agency explores the latest data for under-18s being referred to Prevent and its different stages. By Ian Jones.
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In conversation with Vicky Bingham, head at NLCS
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General education
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In an interview with Independent School Management Plus, head of North London Collegiate School Vicky Bingham highlights the importance of balancing tradition with innovation in education. She warns that reforms like moving exams online could have unintended consequences for pupils, such as losing the art of handwriting. Emphasising the enduring value of humanities, Ms Bingham states: "We mustn’t lose sight of the beauty and the joy of education – that you can’t easily measure or put into a spreadsheet." By Irena Barker.
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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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Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.
Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.
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