History will not look kindly on the Labour government for "its destructive approach to independent education", the incoming chair of HMC – The Heads’ Conference has said. Philip Britton, head of foundation at Bolton School, was quoted in the Daily Mail about the "enormous and damaging change" that would be caused by the VAT on fees policy. “During the last months great schools across the country have focused on the best interests of their pupils against enormous and damaging change introduced hastily and carelessly. We have been working with HM Revenue and Customs to introduce VAT processes they are not ready for and whose implementation to the required timescale was unfair and unrealistic – yet as it is what must be done, we have done it", he said. Mr Britton has previously warned the historic school, which was founded in 1516, will be unable to fulfil its ambition of one in three pupils on a bursary by 2030 because of the tax policy. "From one in five to one in three will be much more difficult and will be slowed. That clearly is a detriment to children in the locality. That is a direct impact of VAT", he warned. Reference is made to the Independent School Council’s (ISC) legal action. By Elizabeth Ivens. 

The Sunday Times reports that Irish boarding schools are looking to attract families looking for alternative options in light of the British government’s VAT on fees policy. Speaking to the paper, Mark Wallace, who was recently appointed head at Dublin's King’s Hospital, said the tax on British school fees was a “huge opportunity” for the Irish sector. Several other leaders of independent schools in Ireland expressed their opinions on the government's VAT on fees policy. By Julieanne Corr.

A mother in Lincolnshire has said the government's move to apply VAT to independent school fees is resulting in higher costs for taxpayers. In comments to BBC News, Sarah explained that the county council now has to cover up to £8,000 annually to transport her daughter to the nearest state school after she withdrew her from an independent school. She claimed the government "failed to evaluate the impact" of its policy and had "taken away parents' choice." The article references an ISC survey, which found 8,500 pupils left the independent sector between September 2023 and 2024 and a further 2,500 in January. By Sharon Edwards.

Reference is made to the Independent School Council’s (ISC) forthcoming legal action across much of this weekend's news coverage.

The Times explores the growing issue of child-on-child sexual abuse and misogyny in primary schools amid  the publication of research naming 1,664 UK schools where children aged 5 to 11 have shared anonymous accounts of rape culture and abuse. The charity Everyone's Invited—which carried out the research with testimonies from both state and independent schools, along with evidence from police, academics, and safeguarding leaders—is calling for earlier education on respectful relationships and online dangers. Experts speak to the paper about the urgent need for comprehensive education and open conversations to protect children’s well-being in the face of rising toxic influencers and online pornography. By Alice Thomson.

Writing in The Times, Richard Scorer, head of abuse law at Slater & Gordon, calls for a mandatory reporting law to curb child abuse. He writes: "We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to choose the protection of children ahead of institutions. The human, societal and financial cost of child sexual abuse is something we cannot afford to go on living with. We must have courage, act now and protect our young people."

Pupils are to receive lessons aimed at countering misogyny and the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate under the government's updated relationships, health, and sex education (RHSE) guidance. Set to be implemented before the end of the academic year, the new guidance coincides with Sir Keir Starmer's endorsement of the Netflix series Adolescence as a potential educational resource in schools. The four-part series, which the prime minister has been watching with his two teenagers, depicts a family's turmoil after their 13-year-old son is accused of murdering a female classmate, and highlights the harmful effects of social media and misogynistic influencers on some teenage boys. Although Labour’s new guidance is still a work in progress, it is expected to include additional content to “support healthy relationships”. By Caroline Wheeler, The Sunday Times.

In a written question in the House of Lords, Conservative peer Lord Caine asked what assessment had been made of the impact of VAT on independent school fees on voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland that offer boarding places falling within the scope of VAT, compared with England where state-run boarding places are exempt. Responding, Treasury minister Lord Livermore said: "To ensure parity with English state boarding schools, the UK government has provided financial support to voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland providing an equivalent service to state-run boarding in England, but for whom it was not possible to legislate for a carve-out from the VAT charge. This will ensure pupils boarding at these schools are on the same footing as those attending English boarding schools." Hansard. 

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds who grow up with wealthier friends tend to earn significantly more in adulthood, according to a study conducted by the Behavioural Insights Team research consultancy in collaboration with Meta, the owner of Facebook. The research, which analysed Facebook data from some 20 million UK residents aged 25 to 64, found that those who developed such “cross-class friendships” in socially diverse areas saw an average increase of £5,100 in annual earnings, while social interactions between rich and poor were relatively frequent in southeast England, particularly in London. The Times.

A GCSE in natural history is set to be introduced after years of campaigning by naturalists, meaning pupils may soon study the importance of newts, bats, and jumping spiders as part of the qualification. Announcing the GCSE in Parliament, education minister Catherine McKinnell said it would help young people understand and protect the natural world, while campaigner Mary Colwell has called it “hugely good news.” Ministers will consult on the subject's content later this year. By Patrick Barkham, The Guardian.

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