Independent school pupil numbers have dropped by 1.9 per cent this year, falling from 593,486 in January last year to 582,477 this January, according to census figures from the Department for Education (DfE). In comparison, overall pupil numbers have fallen by 0.7 per cent, decreasing from 9,092,073 in January 2024 to 9,032,426 this year. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), which represents both state and independent headteachers, has criticised the "rushed" VAT on fees policy in response to the findings. Pepe Di'Iasio, ASCL's general secretary, said the government should have prepared better for the likelihood of children transferring to state schools "and the resourcing needs arising from that happening". Julie Robinson, CEO of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said the latest DfE statistics show that the drop in independent school pupil numbers cannot be explained by overall pupil demographics alone. "This outsized exodus should concern anyone who is interested in this tax on education as a revenue raiser," she said. By Connie Dimsdale, iNews. 

A government spokesman has said the drop in independent school pupil numbers "remains firmly within historical patterns" and "shatters the myth" of an exodus from the sector. The ISC has challenged this, saying more pupils than expected are leaving independent schools due to higher fees putting more pressure on parents. Ministers had previously predicted that around 3,000 independent school pupils would need to be absorbed into the state system this academic year, with state school places needed for around 37,000 pupils moving out of the independent sector over the coming years. BBC News reports that the census data does not give clear reasons as to why pupils have left independent school, and that these could include a shift in overseas students or a move to home-schooling. It also notes that this is the first time since the pandemic that the proportion of pupils educated at independent schools has fallen. By Kate McGough and Harriet Agerholm.

Tes takes a close look at the government's census, which includes information on schools as well as pupil characteristics. For the first time, academies now outnumber maintained schools. The data for 2024-25 reveals there were 11,280 academies and 10,743 maintained schools, while in the previous year there were 10,640 academies and 11,392 maintained schools. By John Roberts. A similar report has been published in Schools Week, by Freddie Whittaker.

The news has also been covered by Georgia Lambert for The Times, Poppy Wood and Ben Butcher for The Telegraph, Eleanor Harding for the Daily Mail and Eleanor Busby for the Evening Standard, with all outlets quoting Ms Robinson.

Schools risk "inadvertently" breaking minimum wage legal rules if they follow national pay scales for unqualified teachers, legal experts have warned. Numerous recent increases mean the national living wage is now £12.21 an hour for individuals aged over 21 – so someone working 37.5 hours a week can expect to earn £23,800 a year. However, despite the proposed four per cent pay rise for teachers next year, the first point on the unqualified pay range outside London is now below this threshold, standing at £22,601. Hannah Bingham, a senior HR consultant at law firm Browne Jacobson, told Schools Week the pay scale issue "could cause a compliance risk" if unqualified teachers were expected or told to work unpaid hours "beyond those for which they are salaried". By Freddie Whittaker.

Tes exclusively reveals that the DfE has said it is not including primary schools in its target for hiring an additional 6,500 teachers. The target was one of Labour's key manifesto pledges before last year's election but questions have been raised over how it will be measured. In a written statement in the House of Commons, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said it is a "promise to recruit an additional 6,500 expert teachers across secondary and special schools, and our colleges, over the course of this Parliament". Yesterday, the DfE confirmed to Tes that primary schools are not part of its target. By John Roberts.

Parents are being encouraged to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles ahead of the summer holidays as an outbreak continues to spread throughout the UK. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine during childhood can offer lifelong protection against measles, one of the most contagious diseases in the world. Despite this, uptake of the vaccine in Britain is below recommended levels, and cases have been going up. Urging parents to take action, Dr Vanessa Saliba, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: "It’s essential that everyone, particularly parents of young children, check all family members are up to date with two MMR doses, especially if you are travelling this summer for holidays or visiting family." By Joe Pinkstone, The Telegraph.

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