During a debate in the House of Lords on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), explained that his amendments (429 and 433) were not intended to challenge ministers’ proposals directly, but rather to explore ways of adjusting and refining them in certain areas. He noted that "the points in question have been the subject of careful discussion between Department for Education (DfE) officials and senior staff of the Independent Schools Council (ISC)".

Referring to Amendment 429, Lord Lexden explained it would mean ministers can give guidance to independent schools on important matters, such as safeguarding and moral or cultural education, but it would prevent them interfering with schools’ core independence, covering areas like admissions, curriculum, or exams. He added that it also seeks to ensure Parliament has a role in checking new standards and guidance so that schools’ independence is properly protected. On the importance of Amendment 433, Lord Lexden said: "A school that is deeply concerned to assist such pupils [with SEND] fully will want to make immediate arrangements to cover all of their needs. Amendment 433 would provide a simple remedy and set at rest the concern of schools finding themselves in these circumstances that they may be in breach of the law. It would give such schools two academic terms to make a material change application. This is a common-sense proposal that I hope the government will consider. Plainly, some change to the Bill seems to be needed in order to avoid inflicting difficulty on independent special schools."

Peers then moved onto wider issues relating to independent schools, including inspection. Lord Black of Brentwood, honorary president of the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA), praised the work of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). He reminded the House that the inspectorate, established largely through the efforts of Lord Lexden, has been operating successfully for 26 years, inspecting around 1,200 schools a year and covering half a million pupils. He emphasised that the ISI is a fully independent body, regulated by the DfE, with its board and leadership team entirely separate from the ISC, its associations, and the schools it inspects. "Ofsted itself produces an annual report on its work. It has never found evidence that ISI is any less strict than Ofsted in its inspections", he added.

Responding to the debate, Baroness Barran stressed that it is essential for parents to have confidence in the the ISI's judgments, and welcomed the minister’s confirmation that the DfE continues to have confidence in it. The debate can be read in full at Hansard. 

More than nine in 10 school leaders (91 per cent) responding to a poll by teaching union the NAHT said they oppose Ofsted’s revised inspection proposals. In addition, more than 62 per cent of the 1,400 respondents said they oppose those plans strongly. The move to grading schools using a new five-point scale will start from November, and routine inspections are not being carried out in the first half term of the year. NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said that his union’s poll shows "a comprehensive rejection" of the “small-scale changes". By John Roberts, Tes. 

Nearly a quarter of parents believe that their children have been exposed to inappropriate content in classes on religious education or in sex and relationships lessons at school, according to a survey by Parentkind. It found that 23 per cent said their child had learnt something in the lessons that was not appropriate for their age. The proportion was found to be higher at independent schools, where 32 per cent of parents agreed, compared with state schools where 22 per cent agreed. Commenting on the findings, Jason Elsom, chief executive of Parentkind, said: "What parents want is transparency, to know what is being taught, and to be consulted." By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

Girls who participate in after-school sport in the UK are 50 per cent more likely to get top jobs later in life, according to a report produced by Public First, which reveals that the boost is equivalent to a university degree. Despite this benefit, girls are far less likely to play sport than boys, with 11- to 18-year-olds each missing out on 1.4 hours a week, or 280m hours annually. The research suggests women who play extracurricular sport as children are more likely to reach senior professional roles, as sport builds resilience, confidence and adaptability, making them better at handling pressure, bouncing back and embracing new challenges. By Rachel Hall, The Guardian.

In a letter to The Times, Mark Steed, principal of Stamford School, highlights the benefits of banning smartphones in schools. Having introduced such a ban at his own school, he notes that "colleagues witnessed not only greater student engagement in the classroom but also less anxiety and more social interaction at break and lunchtimes". Mr Steed warns, however, that without parents actively involved in managing their children’s phone use, "many young people still have unfiltered access to the internet". The letter appears towards the end of the page. 

In an interview with Independent School Management Plus, Phillip Britton, chair of HMC – The Heads’ Conference and head of foundation at Bolton School, criticises the government's VAT on fees policy. Reflecting on his own journey into teaching and the motivations that drive him, Mr Britton says: "What frustrates me most is that our independent schools are characterised as bastions of privilege. For sure, they are examples of outstanding educational establishments, but that is not a proxy for individual privilege." Praising the collaborative work taking place between independent and state schools, he says: "Heads are seeking to lead their community as positively as they can, so it is the HMC’s job to support those heads who giving such a lot of themselves." Asked about the future of the independent sector, now VAT is now an "economic and political reality", Mr Britton replies: "We will continue to argue that the consequences of VAT on school fees are detrimental to everyone, not our sector as a special interest group but to all. We will also continue to ask how can we be part of the solution to problems for all pupils in education right across the educational landscape.” By Irena Barker.

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