Writing in Independent School Management Plus, Kate Caryl, longstanding head of Wakefield Independent School, reflects on government policy and the proposed closure of her school. Expressing her frustration over the VAT on fees policy, she writes: "There has been no assessment done, and VAT has been added regardless of the size of your school and what it offers to whom." Ms Caryl says the tax is a significant factor contributing to the school's falling pupil numbers, adding: "Since VAT has been added, we only have 120 enrolled for September and have seen much less uptake since the announcement than there has historically been over the course of the year. With increased business rates, employers’ National Insurance, minimum wage and utilities bills still rising, we have nowhere left to go. There is no fat left to trim. No further savings can be made."

In a written question in the House of Commons, the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Kevin Hollinrake, asked what data is held on (a) the number of charitable independent schools which received 20 per cent discretionary business rate relief in 2024-25 and (b) the number of local authorities offering such discretionary rate relief. Mr Hollinrake also asked whether information is held on the number of local authorities that are continuing to provide such discretionary business rate relief in 2025-26. Responding, Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Jim McMahon said: "The government does not collect data on discretionary rates relief awarded to charities at property level. As part of the annual National Non-Domestic Rates return, data is collected for total discretionary relief for all charitable occupation. The published forecast data shows an estimate of 281 Billing Authorities providing £48.7 million in discretionary relief for charitable occupation in 2024-25, and 280 Billing Authorities providing £48.9 million in 2025-26."

Conservative peer Lord Jamieson submitted a written question in the House of Lords, asking ministers why there are different business rate liabilities for fee-charging standalone nursery schools and nurseries within the curtilage of independent schools. Treasury minister Lord Livermore replied: "Private schools in England no longer benefit from business rates charitable rate relief. The definition of a private school is set out in the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Act. This definition includes private schools with nursery classes, which, despite the presence of some nursery provision are, by their nature, private schools. Standalone nursery schools with their own business rates assessments remain eligible for charitable rate relief if they are eligible charities. This approach best ensures consistency with the underlying policy intent to remove eligibility from private schools." Hansard.

Monitoring inspections for areas identified as having "widespread" failures in their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision will restart this term, according to Ofsted's SEND and alternative provision inspector, Adam Sproston. The inspectorate announced a review into SEND area inspections last year, with monitoring inspections – revisits within 18 months to areas found to have systemic issues – paused. However, speaking at the Commons Education Select Committee earlier this week, Mr Sproston said monitoring inspections will resume in the summer term. Schools Week.

The vast majority of primary teachers believe ministers will miss their target of three in four children starting school with a good level of development by 2028, according to a Teacher Tapp survey for Save the Children. The poll of more than 2,500 primary teachers in England found that 81 per cent think a lack of affordable childcare is having a negative impact on children being ready for Reception. It also found that around 60 per cent of primary teachers in state schools think the government should increase access to childcare for low-income families to help meet its target. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

In an exclusive interview with Estonia's education minister Kristina Kallas, Tes explores what lies behind the country's impressive results. Ms Kallas explains one key determinant of success is that almost everyone, regardless of political allegiance, is broadly behind the country’s approach to learning. "There is no political fight over education," she says. Regarding special educational needs and disabilities provision, schools must provide speech and language therapy for pupils if needed. There is a requirement for students to reach a 50 per cent threshold in grade 9 exams, so teachers offer additional support to ensure no one falls behind. By Henry Hepburn, Tes.

In the latest ISC blog, Lyndsey Hayes, an A-level psychology teacher at Westminster Tutors and chair of SCoPESC, explains how specialist organisations are bringing educators together to offer valuable learning resources and professional development opportunities. 

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