During a debate in the House of Lords yesterday, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Lord Lexden asked ministers what assessment they have made of the results of imposing value added tax on independent school fees from 1 January. Lord Lexden raised concerns that the VAT on fees policy threatens small independent schools and shared several personal testimonies, including that of a mother whose autistic child’s school is closing and a headteacher struggling to keep their school open. He said: "What are the government to say to the mother of a child with special needs whose independent school is closing because of their education tax? She writes to me: 'Shell-shocked does not cover it. My child is autistic... She felt safe and happy. Her heart is now broken'." Conservative peer Baroness Goldie highlighted the financial strain on Armed Forces families, who rely on independent education for continuity of education. While the Ministry of Defence has increased allowances, she warned that parents still bear additional costs. Conservative peer Baroness Neville-Rolfe also criticised the policy, calling it a "class-based" tax on education. Defending the government's decision, Treasury minister Lord Livermore said independent school closures are consistent with historical trends and that most schools are absorbing VAT costs. The matter will be covered again next week during a debate on the Finance Bill. Hansard.

In written questions in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Patrick Spencer asked whether the chancellor plans to introduce leniency provisions for independent schools through the initial implementation of VAT on fees and also whether she plans to adapt the VAT penalty regime for independent schools in the context of the publication of guidance by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Responding to both questions, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said that since the government announced its tax policy last July, HMRC has provided support, including guidance, a dedicated mailbox, webinars, and extra resources for VAT registration. He added that HMRC guidance on VAT penalties and interest states that penalties may be cancelled or amended if the taxpayer has a reasonable excuse and that late submission penalties do not apply to the first VAT return for newly VAT-registered institutions.

Shadow education minister Neil O’Brien asked the Treasury whether independent schools under the new interpretation of VAT entities are their own class of business. In response, Mr Murray said: "The 'Business activity' section of the VAT registration form requires a full description of all the taxpayer's business activities, including the type of goods and/or services that they supply. HMRC guidance is for private schools to enter 'Private Education Provider' in this section."
 
In a separate question, Mr O’Brien asked why the publication of new VAT guidance in October 2024 came after the Budget. Mr Murray replied: "On 10 October 2024, HMRC published bespoke guidance for private schools, which can be found here: Registering for VAT and Charging and Reclaiming VAT. HMRC published initial guidance ahead of the Budget to maximise the amount of time private schools had to prepare for this policy taking effect. This guidance was updated on 30 October 2024 to reflect the final policy design. Details of guidance updates are available on GOV.UK." Hansard.

President of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Manny Botwe will today call for stricter regulation of social media, amid reports of increased bullying, abuse, and the malicious use of "deepfakes" against pupils and staff online. Speaking at the association's annual conference, he will criticise tech billionaires for "profiting from platforms that allow harm to fester". Mr Botwe will also highlight a recent ASCL survey revealing that nearly 75 per cent of secondary teachers and 50 per cent of primary teachers have reported online bullying, while over 70 per cent of primary teachers are aware of underage pupils using social media. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

Speaking at the Association of School and College Leaders conference today, Bridget Phillipson will call on schools to use "old-fashioned graft" to help improve pupil attendance. The education secretary will also say some schools are "not making enough progress" on absences and that she will not accept the "damage" that is caused by pupils missing school. Released to coincide with Ms Phillipson's speech, data from the Department for Education suggests that around 3.6 million children missed 10 days or more of school last year, and 1.6 million - more than one in 10 - missed a day every fortnight. Tes. 

BBC News reports that more than 100,000 people have backed a petition set up by Natalie Elliott, a parent who is calling for families to be given "up to 10 days fine free" during the school term. Ms Elliott's online campaign has been signed by more than 107,000 people, meaning the topic is to be considered for debate in the House of Commons. By Nigel Slater.

Ministers are considering tightening the rules on which children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) qualify for specified extra support, in a move that could result in more of them being taught in mainstream schools. Speaking to iNews, sources in the SEND sector said legal changes to the criteria for education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are being considered by the government. The news comes amid an escalating SEND crisis, caused in part by the increased number and cost of EHCPs. Responding, the government said that "no decisions on SEND reform have been taken, and any plans would look to improve support for children to thrive in education". By Connie Dimsdale.

In light of the increasing demand for SEND support, Tes analyses the latest data and asks whether there is sufficient provision to meet current requirements. By Ellen Peirson-Hagger.

Shirley Ballas, Dame Arlene Phillips and the cellist Julian Lloyd Webber are among hundreds of artists to have signed a letter calling on ministers to reverse cuts to music and drama in state schools. They say creative subjects have disappeared from state schools since 2010 and criticise previous governments for initatives including EBacc and Progress 8 policies that "have done untold damage to our children and their life chances". Separately, a report by the Centre for Young Lives think tank and the Child of the North initiative has called for every child to have three years of free music or singing lessons. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. The letter appears above halfway.

In the ISC's latest blog, which marks British Science Week, Gareth Lewis and Dr Liam Duffy from Haileybury explain how the school’s partnerships with renowned organisations are empowering pupils with hands-on research opportunities, preparing them for successful careers in STEM.

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