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Daily News Summary
27 January 2025

VAT on fees: 'This policy has placed my wife and me in an untenable position'
House of Commons written answer: Independent education and business rates
'Single-sex schools are undoubtedly here to stay'
Don’t delay launch of natural history GCSE, conservationists tell ministers
A closer look at absenteeism

VAT on fees: 'This policy has placed my wife and me in an untenable position'

 

The children of US soldiers are exempt from VAT on independent school fees in the UK while British troops must pay full price, The Telegraph has revealed. "In a briefing note seen by the paper, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) stated that independent school fees are considered a service, which allows American military families to avoid paying the tax under the "VAT-free purchase scheme". Criticising the "pernicious tax", shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: “The government is treating British forces as second-class citizens. Whilst US military families are exempt from VAT, ours are having to fund Labour’s ideological education tax." By Pieter Snepvangers.

Paul Norton, principal of Kings Monkton School, has expressed concerns about the potential risks of home schooling, noting that the VAT on fees policy could exacerbate the issue. Speaking to Wales Online, Mr Norton also noted that the VAT charge on independent school fees disproportionately impacts families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). He added: “The image being portrayed of private education families, earning large salaries, making the choice to send their children to elitist schools is wrong and very skewed.” By Abbie Wightwick. 

The Telegraph talks to Tim Barrow and his wife, Carly, who have been forced to withdraw two of their three children from independent school as a result of Labour's VAT on fees policy, which has added £10,000 a year to their costs. Describing the "untenable" position the family has been left in, Mr. Barrow warns: “All this policy has done is target middle-income families, those who have made considerable sacrifices to provide the best education for their children. Those who, frankly, have no margin left to play with.” A Freedom of Information request by the paper has revealed nearly 100 applications from independent school pupils to join state schools in Hertfordshire, where Mr Barrow and his family live, between June and September last year. By Pieter Snepvangers. 

In The Telegraph's 'How I spend It' feature, an independent school parent talks about the impact of Labour's VAT on fees policy. She says: "My daughter goes to a private school, and we receive a 10 per cent discount because she has a scholarship. We really hope that our son will go to the same school when he reaches Year 7. Although thanks to Labour’s VAT policy, we will be very stretched unless the bursar offers a discount." By Maya Wilson-Autzen.

 

House of Commons written answer: Independent education and business rates

 

In a question in the House of Commons, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities David Simmonds asked what estimate the chancellor has made of the number of independent schools that receive discretionary business rate relief from their local authority to top up the 80 per cent mandatory charitable rate relief. Mr Simmonds also asked if an assessment will be made of the potential impact of the removal of mandatory charitable relief on funding by local authorities of discretionary rate relief for independent schools.

Responding, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said: "Under the existing discretionary relief powers provided by the Local Government Finance Act 1988 local authorities are permitted to award relief of any level to any ratepayers, where they feel it reasonable to do so and it is in the interest of local council taxpayers. Existing discretionary relief powers are provided by the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and will be unaffected by the ending of charitable rate relief for private schools. Central Government does not collect data on specific recipients of discretionary relief." Hansard.

 
Hansard

'Single-sex schools are undoubtedly here to stay'

 

Single-sex schools will not disappear, and many that are transitioning to coeducation are doing so for financial reasons, according to Rachel Bailey, the headteacher of Benenden School. Speaking to The Times, Ms Bailey said she would never put “economy before ideology” and  criticised predictions that educating boys and girls separately was coming to a "natural end". She added: “Those who argue that single-sex schools are antiquated miss the point that the choice inherent in Britain’s education system is one of the aspects that make it the envy of other countries.” Reference is made to research by the ISC and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Nicola Woolcock. 

Writing to The Times in response, Mike Windsor, head of Abingdon School, challenges Ms Bailey's claims that schools transition to coeducation for economic reasons, arguing single-sex education "looks increasingly anachronistic". He concludes: "This is why no school that has moved to coeducation has reversed its decision, and why the vast majority of the world’s most successful state and independent schools — including here in the UK — are coeducational." The letter appears halfway down the page.

 

Don’t delay launch of natural history GCSE, conservationists tell ministers

 

Ministers have been urged to implement a natural history GCSE immediately amid fears reform of the curriculum will delay it until 2030. The previous government supported the GCSE, which is different from geography and biology in its focus on field work. Leading environmentalists have said it offers “young people a chance to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of this amazing planet”. By Adam Vaughan, The Times.

 
The Times

A closer look at absenteeism

 

One in seven children at selective state schools in England now miss the equivalent of one day per fortnight and are said to be “persistently absent”. The number has reportedly doubled in four years, rising from approximately 13,000 to 28,000 children a year. The Sunday Times explores some of the reasons behind the trend across secondary schools. By Louise Eccles, Joey D’Urso and George Willoughby.

More pupils in Scotland miss school regularly than in any other part of Britain, with tens of thousands missing the equivalent of a month a year, according to the latest figures. The Educational Institute of Scotland, the country’s biggest teaching union, has said the high rate of absence is “a matter of real concern”. By Mark McLaughlin, The Times.

 

 

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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