A comprehensive article in The Telegraph explores the impact of Labour's VAT on fees policy on single-sex schools. Quoted is Alex Hutchinson, headteacher at James Allen’s Girls’ School and president of the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), who recently said the tax policy could have a “seismic impact” on girls’ life chances. In comments to the paper, experts warn that any decline of single-sex education, particularly for girls, may have lasting effects on academic performance, subject choices, and gender representation in key fields. Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Julie Henry. 

During a debate in the House of Lords on the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers) Bill, peers discussed motions concerning the provision that would remove charitable rate relief for independent schools. Proposing amendments, Conservative peer Baroness Barran said: "The Bill introduces two things with which we fundamentally disagree: a tax on education and a two-tier charity system. Both are political choices made by this government and both are, we believe, mistakes. I cannot see why the power for the Secretary of State to reverse this decision would be rejected. It does not require the Secretary of State to do anything but offers the flexibility and ability to change, if this policy—coupled with the introduction of VAT on independent school fees and the increase in employer national insurance—has wide-reaching and damaging impacts, not just on independent schools but on their neighbouring state-funded schools. That is particularly the case in areas of tight capacity, where there are not spare places for children to go if their independent school closes as a result."

Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), said: "Will the Minister confirm clearly that, through this measure, the country will obtain, for the first time ever, a two-tier charitable system? That is what he appeared to accept. This must be thoroughly undesirable. To remove a set of arrangements that independent schools, the vast majority of them very small schools, have enjoyed over centuries and to create two tiers must be a thoroughly retrograde step. To describe the exemptions that independent schools, like all other charities, have hitherto enjoyed as “tax breaks” is deeply unfair. Independent schools have been properly treated, along with other charities, for centuries—a position that ought to endure—and it is really shameful, given that independent schools are overwhelmingly small and cannot bear these burdens, for this state of affairs now to come into existence as a consequence of this legislation."

Earlier in the debate, Conservative peer Lord Caine warned: "For a large number of small, independent schools across the country that have been struggling to keep their heads above water in recent years, the imposition of VAT and increases in employer national insurance are policies that will sink them." On the threat posed to cross-sector partnership activity, Conservative peer Lord Moynihan said: "The costs imposed by VAT on school fees, increased by higher national insurance contributions and now by business rates, means that to balance the books those schools which survive will have to reduce the many sports scholarships and bursaries currently available to talented young people. Talented young people from a wide range of backgrounds in the maintained sector would otherwise never have access to facilities and coaching expertise of this type." Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Pinnock also voiced her party's support for Baroness Barran, who concluded the debate by thanking peers for their addressing the variety of ways in which "independent schools form part of the fabric of our society". 

In a written question in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Blake Stephenson asked the education secretary, pursuant to the answer to Question 27313 on 'Private Education: Special Educational Needs', if she will make a separate assessment for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Schools minister Stephen Morgan replied, saying: "HM Treasury has published a tax information and impact note on applying VAT to independent school fees, which includes pupils with special educational needs."

Conservative MP Wendy Morton also submitted a written question, asking what information ministers hold on the number of children who transferred from independent to state schools in the first three months of (a) 2024 and (b) 2025. Mr Morgan responded with data showing that, in January 2023, there were 591,954 pupils in independent schools, and in January 2024 this number had increased by 1,532 to 593,486. He added that the figures for January 2025 will be published this June.

In a written question in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley asked what steps ministers are taking to ensure that independent schools are subject to the same inspection standards as state-funded schools. Stephen Morgan replied: "The regulatory regime for private schools, as set out in the 2008 Education and Skills Act, is based on compliance with the independent school standards, and failure can lead to a notice to improve, restrictions being placed on school operations or, following long-term or very serious failures, deregistration which requires closure. Private schools do not receive public funding, so are regulated to ensure that they provide a safe and suitable education as required by the independent school standards, whilst being able to operate as independent private businesses." Hansard.

Pupils are being offered rewards including iPads and bicycles in a bid to boost ­attendance, according to a report by the National Foundation for Educational Research. The study, which gathered interviews with staff and pupils from nine secondary schools and survey responses from over 600 secondary school teachers and leaders, found that students in schools emphasising sanctions were more likely to view attendance policies as “punitive and unfair.” It said that schools which combined reward with sanctions had seen “higher pupil engagement” with attendance policies as pupils felt more motivated to attend. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

Pupils are struggling to focus in class owing to the effects of nicotine, with some even vaping during lessons, an NASUWT survey has found. The teaching union has revealed that most respondents felt vaping remained a problem in their schools, with teachers reporting that children were congregating in toilets to vape throughout the school day. The findings come as the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes provisions to tackle youth vaping, is being considered by Parliament. By Bethan Lewis. 

There has been a 23 per cent increase in police callouts to schools, freedom of information requests have revealed, with children as young as 7 being reported for carrying knives at school. The requests also found 4,480 reports of weapons being carried on school premises, primarily involving knives or blades, as well as at least one incident involving a gun. In a detailed breakdown from Merseyside Police, a seven-year-old was reported for carrying an "article with a blade or point" on school grounds in 2022-23. By Ben Ellery, The Times. 

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