The 2026 ISC Census has been published today. The report comes during a period of considerable change for the sector; pupil numbers fell by 3.5 per cent between 2025 and 2026 against a backdrop of financial and policy pressures, including the government's VAT on fees policy. 

The data shows ISC schools are providing £1.1 billion in fee assistance from their own resources – the highest level ever recorded. It also shows there have been almost 10,000 partnerships with state schools, and continuing support for the growing numbers of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

In his foreword to the Census, Mark Taylor, chairman of the ISC, highlights the sector’s resilience and wider contributions. "Independent schools remain an important and distinctive part of the UK’s educational ecosystem," he adds.

The ISC research and data team would like to thank all participating schools for taking the time to complete the Census and to check returns, particularly during the busy start of the spring term and when other census completions are required.

The Times reports on the findings from the ISC's annual Census, in particular the number of foreign children boarding at British schools having fallen by 10 per cent in just one year. According to the data, the number of pupils from Hong Kong has dropped more than 30 per cent in the past year, while from China it has fallen 25 per cent. Spain and Germany also showed a double-digit percentage decline. The number of non-British pupils with overseas parents fell from 25,526 in January last year to 22,941 in January 2026 and 93 per cent of these were boarders. This followed a decrease of 2.6 per cent the year before. Urging ministers to "reverse the tax on boarding school fees", Robin Fletcher, chief executive of the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA), told the paper: "Taxing sleep is having a material effect on the UK’s standing on the global education stage as shown by the fall in international pupil numbers. The long-term effects of this policy will not be felt until it’s too late and the UK’s soft power is lost." By Nicola Woolcock.

Psychology is the subject at Oxford University most dominated by state school pupils while Classics and music have a much higher proportion of independently educated students, according to the university's new admissions report. Published yesterday, it gives an insight into Oxford's intake broken down by ethnicity, deprivation and sex. The figures also show state school intake was slightly higher last year, at 66.5 per cent, but was down from 68.2 per cent in 2021. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

In a letter to The Times, Richard Cairns, principal of Brighton College, says the move towards co-education reflects schools putting pupils first. Highlighting that all Oxford University colleges are now co-educational, Mr Cairns argues that "it is surely only a matter of time before the same applies to our independent schools". The letter appears above halfway.

Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted's chief inspector, has defended the watchdog's report card inspection framework after MPs raised concerns relating to leaders' wellbeing and the controversy surrounding how schools are graded on achievement. Facing the Commons Education Select Committee yesterday to answer questions on the new inspection framework, he also said Ofsted was making progress on bringing more independence into its complaints process. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Over 850 schools across England and Wales are set to close early this week, as temperatures are expected to reach record highs for June. BBC News looks at how schools have adapted to the heat by relaxing uniform rules, providing extra water stations and encouraging sunscreen and sun hats. The broadcaster notes that government guidance suggests heat can usually be managed safely without closures, while advice from the UK Health Security Agency says schools may need to close their windows later in the day if it becomes hotter outside than in, and that fans should not be used once temperatures pass 35°C. Live reporting by Indy Almroth-Wright and Dave Gilyea, edited by Stephen Stafford. 

The Independent provides a full list of schools with closures in place, and reports that temperatures could hit 40°C in some areas as the red weather alert comes into force until 9pm tomorrow. By Harriette Boucher.

Writing in Schools Week, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, says that while schools can help keep pupils safe in hot weather, sustained support is required. "We need the government to do more to improve and modernise school buildings, including a focus on ventilation, solar panels, improved insulation, measures to ensure buildings are watertight and potentially air conditioning," he says.

iNews offers advice on how to work and study in the heat, and outlines parents' rights if their child's school is closed. By Matthew Bailey.

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.

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