The Scotsman explores the impact of the VAT on fees policy in Scotland, with experts warning it has had a devastating impact on the country’s education sector. Lorraine Davidson, chief executive of The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), is quoted, warning that it could cost Scottish taxpayers up to £200 million a year within a decade. She is also calling on the Scottish Government to look at how it can support the country’s independent schools “for the benefit of all pupils”, highlighting that by attracting pupils from around the world, schools are helping to contribute to the Scottish economy. On the impact of VAT on fees on Drumduan School, which recently closed amid mounting financial pressures, trustee Sarah-Jane Mills says: “It was a significant effect, and it was announced in the middle of a school year so we had already budgeted for the year ahead, and that all had to be changed. There were no exemptions, no grace period for smaller schools like ours.” Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher has called on Holyrood’s education committee to launch an inquiry into the impact of the decision on both state and independent schools. By Gareth Edwards, The Scotsman.

Independent schools are facing increased competition for pupils as financial pressures continue to affect the sector. The Times looks at how schools are responding to recruitment challenges, including through open days and other efforts to attract families. The article refers to the Independent Schools Council’s (ISC) latest census, which showed the number of boarders was 56,702, down from 62,260 the previous year. A number of schools in membership of the ISC’s constituent associations are mentioned. By Nicola Woolcock.

Writing in The Telegraph’s money section, Charlotte Duck outlines a number of strategies families are using to lower the cost of independent education amid the impact of VAT on fees, the end of business rates relief and increased National Insurance contributions. The article notes that fee assistance is already a significant feature of the independent sector, with around a third of pupils receiving financial support, according to the ISC. “The amount of flexibility will depend on the individual school and its financial position,” says Vicky Collins, the founder and chief executive of Total Tutoring.

Schools Week is providing rolling coverage of Labour’s conference in Liverpool, bringing together updates and developments of interest to the education sector. The publication’s live blog includes coverage of education secretary Lucy Powell’s speech and further announcements from the conference. By Freddie Whittaker and Samantha Booth.

Improving school staff's understanding of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is essential to securing better outcomes for pupils, according to Hilary Spence, chief executive of Ambition Institute. Writing in Tes, she welcomes the Department for Education's (DfE) new SEND training programme and outlines how it could help staff identify and support children with additional needs more effectively.

Half of secondary-aged girls heard misogynistic comments from other pupils at school in the days before they took part in a survey by the Department for Education (DfE). The poll of 1,653 secondary students, carried out in May, found 50 per cent of female Key Stage 3 and 4 students said they had heard such comments on at least some days in the previous week. When students were previously asked the same question in December 2025, the proportion was 44 per cent. The proportion of boys hearing misogynistic comments also increased, from 29 per cent to 36 per cent, over the same timeframe. By Jabed Ahmed, Tes.

Children without access to smartphones are being charged higher bus fares in some parts of England because discounted tickets are only available through mobile apps. The Guardian examines concerns that the system disadvantages young people who do not own smartphones. By Anna Timms.

A small number of schools operate with little or no use of suspensions, instead relying on alternative behaviour management approaches. The Sunday Times looks at how these schools maintain standards and support pupils without excluding them from lessons. By Louise Eccles and Yennah Smart.

Parents whose household income is £100,000 a year or more are the least likely to read to their young children every day, according to research by the National Literacy Trust. It found only 44 per cent read with their children aged five or under, compared with 74 per cent of parents in households earning £20,000 to £40,000 a year. The findings were released a year after The Sunday Times began its Get Britain Reading campaign to help address the collapse in adults and children of reading for pleasure. By Louise Eccles. The paper is running a live poll asking readers if they read to their children every day.

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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