Writing in Independent School Management Plus, Sam Hart, head of Giggleswick School, highlights the benefits offered by independent schools in the north of England. "Surrounded by landscapes that inspire exploration and creativity, schools here can use the outdoors as an extension of the classroom," he writes, adding that good transport links mean such schools can be reached "with ease". Encouraging parents to explore the educational opportunities that are available, Mr Hart says: "Across the region, institutions are working to show that the north is not an alternative to the south, but a destination in its own right."

Schools will be ordered to communicate more with parents in a white paper being published by Bridget Phillipson this autumn. Speaking at an event hosted by The Times and Parentkind to launch the charity's annual report, the education secretary said: "Parents are children’s first teachers. We need a step-change in how we recognise that, how we treat parents as genuine partners." Ms Phillipson also expressed concern over engagement declining when children transition from primary to secondary school and how emails are the main form of communication between some schools and parents. By Nicola Woolcock and Georgia Lambert. 

One in three parents have pursued a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) assessment for their child, according to a survey commissioned by Parentkind. Last year, official figures revealed that nearly one in five children were classified as having SEND, including 482,000 in England with education, health and care plans (EHCPs). Carried out by YouGov, the survey also highlights the personal cost that many parents of children with SEND face, with 15 per cent saying they have had to stop working to care for their child. By Richard Adams, The Guardian. 

Douglas Ross, chair of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee, has written to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander, inviting him to attend a Holyrood committee session in October to discuss the impact of the VAT on fees policy in Scotland. In his letter, Mr Ross explained that the invitation was being extended after two earlier invitations to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, which went unanswered. Last October, representatives from the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) warned that the VAT decision was unlikely to achieve its goals in Scotland. Early estimates from the Labour Party suggested the plan could raise up to £1.5 billion, but reports commissioned by SCIS put the figure closer to £50 million. The article explains the Barnett formula, which decides Scotland’s share of UK government spending on devolved matters, and how revenue from the new tax policy could affect that allocation. By Garrett Baylor Stell, The Herald. 

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