Writing in Independent School Management Plus, Ian Hunt, a former headteacher and current chair and CEO of Haileybury schools in Kazakhstan, says education secretary Bridget Phillipson’s suggestion that independent schools have exaggerated the impact of the VAT on fees policy overlooks the real struggles faced by many small and specialist schools forced to close or merge. While Labour promises more state school teachers, Mr Hunt argues that the party is failing to acknowledge some of the deeper issues behind the UK's teacher shortages. He warns that pushing independent school pupils into an already overstretched state system is misguided, and concludes: "Scoring easy political points to cripple independent schools is not the answer. The wolf really is at the door. Unfortunately, it benefits nobody."

In a written question in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Blake Stephenson asked the chancellor on what evidential basis she estimated that 100 additional independent schools would close over three years. Responding, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray referenced the government's VAT on fees policy paper, which set out the estimate of school closures at last year's Autumn Budget under the heading 'Impact on business including civil society organisations'. He added that a detailed explanation of the methodology behind the estimated demand reduction can be found on page 41 of the Treasury's technical note under 'Demand'. Hansard.

Almost half of headteachers expect they will be forced to cut teachers' jobs next year as a result of funding pressures, according to a poll by school leaders' union the NAHT. The survey found 46 per cent of heads said they would have to reduce the number of teachers or teaching hours over the next 12 months, while 80 per cent said they would have to cut teaching assistants or their hours. The vast majority (98 per cent) of headteacher respondents told the NAHT they did not have sufficient funding in 2025-26 to fully meet the needs of all their pupils. By Jasmine Norden, Tes. 

Special school staff could receive additional training and pay to act as consultants for mainstream schools, a parliamentary inquiry into the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) crisis has been told. In a written report to the Commons Education Committee, the Catholic Education Service said the SEND system would benefit from greater support provided by special schools. Published yesterday, the report proposes that such schools be recognised as centres of excellence, with staff receiving advanced training and remuneration to operate as consultants in settings such as health and social work. It also says Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) documentation and assessment could be streamlined and made uniform across the country. By John Roberts, Tes. 

A mother says she is "heartbroken" that her seven-year-old daughter must take antipsychotic medication in order to cope in a mainstream school environment. Darcey is autistic, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and global developmental delay (GDD), and also lives with complex medical needs resulting from two genetic chromosomal abnormalities. Although she has had an EHCP in place since the age of three, which states that mainstream education is suitable, her local primary school has said it can no longer meet her needs. Despite this, Darcey has been denied a place at a specialist school. Speaking to BBC News, Deirdre Nic Sitric, director of the specialist advisory service Autism Champions, says many children like Darcey need urgent support. "It feels like a child has to be at absolute crisis and at risk of self-harm, or even worse, before professionals will take notice," she warns. By Kirsteen O'Sullivan.

Schoolgirls are being controlled by their boyfriends who demand photographic evidence of who they sit with in lessons, Scottish charities have warned. Women’s support services have described girls aged 13 to 17 being tracked on phones by their boyfriends, or being told to check in with them as they move around school. The revelations were shared at an event to discuss the impact of online pornography on the levels of violence experienced by young females, organised by Beira’s Place, the female support service set up in Edinburgh by JK Rowling. Anne Robertson Brown, executive director of Women’s Aid in Angus, told delegates that in the first five months of 2025 five girls under the age of 16 had turned to her team reporting serious abuse at the hands of their own partner, and 38 in the 16-18 age bracket. By Helen Puttick, The Times. 

In an article for Tes, David Tuck, head of history and politics at Harrow International School Hong Kong, highlights some of the key benefits of reverse mentoring and explains why experienced school leaders should not overlook the skills and insights of younger colleagues. Referencing a number of authors and school staff who have had equally positive experiences, including Edward Wright, vice principal (staffing and enrichment) at North London Collegiate School (Singapore), Mr Tuck writes: "It can be uncomfortable at times to admit that you don’t know everything after years of working in the role, but if you leave your ego at home and are open to insights on new trends, ideas and perspectives, reverse mentoring can be an invaluable resource." 

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