ISC Daily News Summary

Dr Rebecca Ashcroft, head at Red House School, was interviewed in an item on BBC Politics North as part of a wider discussion about Labour’s plans to tax independent school fees and the policy’s potential impact on parents. Dr Ashcroft highlighted the contributions of independent schools to the economy and urged Labour to evaluate the consequences of the policy, adding: “In terms of impact, it really is a tax on children’s education.” The segment includes an interview with a parent from Red House School who dispels some of the myths about families opting to send their children to independent schools: “Parents are prioritising education over holidays, changing cars, all luxury things they might want to indulge in, but they will sacrifice those to give their children the opportunity to come to a school such as this.” As part of the same programme, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson took part in a studio discussion about Eton College's plans to co-sponsor a new, selective sixth form college in Middlesbrough. Tom Arbuthnott, deputy head (partnerships) at Eton, highlighted the opportunities the project will bring to children in Teeside. The programme concluded with a debate between Ms Phillipson and Darlington Conservative councillor Jonathan Dulston on Labour's tax policy. (The segment begins at 16:12). 

Labour’s pledge to add VAT to independent school fees if the party wins the next general election could have an adverse effect on the number of Chinese families choosing to send their children to study in Britain, according to the findings of a survey by the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA) and Connexcel. The poll of almost 1000 parents found that introducing VAT on school fees would have a negative impact on 60 per cent of Chinese families' decisions regarding UK independent schools, with nine per cent saying it would make them choose another country for their children’s education. Caroline Nixon, international and membership director at the BSA, is quoted and reference is made to the ISC's latest annual census. By Irena Barker, Independent School Management Plus. 

The Department for Education (DfE) is to spend £196 million this academic year to attract more teachers into the profession. Additional funding for scholarships, bursaries and salary grants will assist thousands of candidates through their Initial Teacher Training (ITT), ministers have suggested. Tes.

In a blog marking World Mental Health Day 2023, director of marketing at Felsted School Jack Dougherty explains how two sixth formers undertook a 24-hour fell running challenge to raise money for a charity supporting Armed Forces personnel with their wellbeing.