The Telegraph examines the impact of Labour’s VAT on fees policy on independent schools in the UK, with some having been forced to close and others expanding overseas. Experts discuss the future of the sector as well as the effect on schools globally. David Walker, director of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA), tells the paper that even though the UK remains an attractive place for international students, ministers cannot be "complacent" about the impact its taxation and immigration policies have had. He adds: "We urge the government to recognise the value of British boarding to students, families and the wider economy, as well as its role in ensuring Britain’s soft power." Figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) are referenced in the article. By Pieter Snepvangers.

The government’s VAT on fees policy is reportedly boosting demand in property markets in areas such as Kent and Buckinghamshire, which have some of the highest concentrations of grammar schools in the country. Seb Hipwood, a founder of Blue Book Agency, which covers prime markets across southern England, says he has noticed a shift in buyer attitudes over the past year, adding: "VAT on fees is transforming how parents are thinking." By Ruth Bloomfield, The Telegraph. 

A number of schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned across this weekend's coverage. 

Catherine McKinnell has been replaced as minister of state in the Department for Education (DfE) as part of a wider reshuffle following the resignation of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. Ms McKinnell has left government, along with children and families minister Janet Daby. Writing on social media platform X, Ms McKinnell said she had been offered an alternative ministerial role but had "made the decision to resign" in order to spend more time in her Newcastle constituency and in Parliament.

Towards the end of the weekend, it emerged that Stephen Morgan was leaving his post as minister for early education to become lord commissioner of the Treasury. In a social media post, he said: "It has been a huge honour to have been the first ever minister for early education, with much achieved in the first year of a Labour government to give every child the best start in life."

Georgia Gould, MP for Queen’s Park and Maida Vale, has been announced as minister of state in the DfE. She was previously parliamentary secretary in the Cabinet Office. Two DfE junior ministers have also been appointed. These are former teacher Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, and Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire, who was previously parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Work and Pensions. Tes.

Dame Rachel de Souza has recommended reforming statutory support through a system of children's plans. In a report published today, the children's commissioner for England calls for a focus on supporting pupils with additional needs beyond special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including safety, pastoral, health and learning needs. The report, which asked questions of every school in England, suggests an education plan should be available for all children who need specialist support to engage in education, over and above a core school offer. By John Roberts, Tes. 

The Times also covers the children's commissioner's report, which includes the findings of a survey revealing that access to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) emerged as a top concern for 70 per cent of primary schools and 78 per cent of secondary schools. The report states: "Schools are increasingly dealing with more pupils with mental health difficulties and being asked to fill the gaps where children face long waiting lists for community services." Ministers are expected to set out their reforms to the SEND system in a white paper this autumn. By Georgia Lambert. 

Writing to the Sunday Times, Samantha Price, head of Cranleigh School, responds to the recent findings of the paper's most comprehensive poll of British 16 and 17-year-olds, to which 33 per cent of girls surveyed said they suffered from anxiety. Ms Price warns that, while schools are doing all they can to help, there is an urgent need for ministers to collaborate and "agree on a robust solution". This, she concludes, "must be a priority". The letter appears close to the top of the page. 

Sixth form pupils will be taught about cyber warfare as part of a £182 million government funding package to boost defence recruitment. Concentrating on defence, five new "technical excellence colleges" are set to open across the country in 2026 with the aim of developing the skills needed to ensure national security. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it hoped to create a fresh supply of submarine engineers, specialist welders, and cyber warfare specialists that the defence industry will require in the years to come. By Poppy Wood, The Telegraph.

Bridget Phillipson is considering proposals for parents of truanting pupils to attend speed awareness-style courses to tackle rising school absence. The education secretary plans to introduce measures in the schools white paper this autumn to rebuild parent-school relationships strained during Covid lockdowns. She is reviewing a Centre for Social Justice report suggesting “attendance awareness courses” based on those for speeding motorists, with fines of up to £200 for non-attendance. Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, has backed the report and pledged to adopt the measures if the Conservatives are elected at the next election. By Caroline Wheeler, Sunday Times. 

Wellington College has appointed a "chair of compassion" to address the issue of cancel culture, help pupils learn to "disagree agreeably" and lessen the influence of harmful social media figures such as Andrew Tate. The role will build on existing wellbeing lessons, which were introduced in 2016 by former headmaster Sir Anthony Seldon in response to bullying claims. James Dahl, the school’s current headmaster, tells The Telegraph the appointment reflects the increasingly "divisive nature of the world in which we live, cancel culture, the inability of young people, I think, to be able to disagree agreeably, for them to judge far too quickly in their online lives". By Poppy Wood.

In a letter to The Telegraph, James Watson, head of Milton Abbey School, praises independent schools for having the freedom to explore topics outside the national curriculum. "Independent schools have spent many decades championing forgotten topics, such as King Aethelstan, and we will proudly do so for many more", he writes. The letter appears near the end of the page.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.