In a letter to The Times, Jonny Timms, head of Walhampton School, comments on the "social deficit" resulting from school closures during the pandemic. He writes: "Instead of fostering unity to tackle this generational challenge, recent policy decisions, such as the introduction of VAT on private school fees, risk deepening the divide. This creates barriers to collaboration and partnership at a time when society should be drawing on every available resource to support all children." 

Timothy Straker KC of Gray's Inn, London, refutes the notion that independent schools had previously been in receipt of a "tax break". He writes: "VAT replaced purchase tax on April 1, 1973. That tax had itemised goods or services subject to that tax; education was never taxed ...  That exemption has now been varied so that school fees (but not, for example, university fees) are subject to VAT. I have not heard it suggested that those paying university fees are, if one follows the approach of the Treasury, enjoying a tax break." 

Richard Willmott from Hereford echoes Mr Straker's comments, writing: "The Treasury is indeed being disingenuous in claiming that putting VAT on school fees is removing a tax break for schools, as it is a tax paid by parents who are already paying their share of the cost of the state system through their taxes, as well as saving the system money by not using it."

Writing to The Telegraph, Simon Flude, an independent school parent from London, considers whether the government will raise money from the VAT policy. He argues "taxpayers will ultimately lose more on the roundabouts than the government gains on the swings", citing the example of his son, who is currently studying his GCSEs at an independent school but will need a taxpayer-funded state school place for his A levels. He concludes: "By putting three children through private school I have saved taxpayers more than £200,000. It is these savings that the government has ended." The letter can be found a third of the way down the page.

An article in The Telegraph explores the impact of Labour's tax policy on the housing market. Higher school fees are expected to drive overstretched homeowners out of London's affluent areas in search of more affordable properties and schools, with estate agents and mortgage brokers warning that housing demand will take a hit as a result. By Mattie Brignal. 

Revenues at independently run special needs schools in England have soared since before the pandemic, the Financial Times reports, as local authorities turn to external providers to meet rising demand for specialist education. According to the National Audit Office, the number of children in English schools requiring special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support has more than doubled over the past decade to 576,000. A lack of capacity in the state sector has meant that more councils are turning to independent providers - many backed by private equity firms - to make up the shortfall. By Peter Foster, Alexandra Heal, Jamie John and Amy Borrett. 

The number of children across England needing specialist treatment for severe mental health crises has increased, according to new NHS data. There has been a 10 per cent rise in emergency, very urgent and urgent referrals for under-18s, with the total amounting to 34,793 between April and October 2024. The increase comes after the previous government's rollout of mental health support teams in schools was criticised for being too slow. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Sir Martyn Oliver, the chief of Ofsted, will appear before the Commons Education Select Committee next week to answer questions on the progress of reforms to the inspectorate announced last year. MPs' questions are expected to focus on several high-profile policy changes, including the plan to move from single-word inspection judgements to report cards. By Dan Worth, Tes. 

The Guardian features an article on Arlene Holmes-Henderson, a Durham University professor who is on a mission to secure equal access to classical education for all children in the UK. She says: "It is certainly the case that there are fantastic state-maintained schools that have a vibrant Classics curriculum. But it is a postcode lottery and that is not fair." Last month, the professor opened the world's first department dedicated to researching Classics learning and teaching at Durham University, and last year she played a key role in establishing an all-party parliamentary group of MPs and peers exploring all things Classics, chaired by Labour MP Peter Swallow. By Mark Brown.

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