ISC Daily News Summary

Hundreds of schools have announced they will be closed today, with Storm Ciarán causing torrential rain and flooding in some areas across the UK. By Jane Dalton, The Independent. 

From April, the Department for Education’s (DfE) contribution to pensions for state school teachers will increase from 23.6 per cent to 28.6 per cent, equating to £1.2 billion more a year. Experts have warned that independent schools, which do not receive support from the state, could be forced to raise fees to cover the costs, or even close. Martin Willis, of consultancy firm Barnett Waddingham, has said more than half of independent schools may end up operating at a loss, if they face both higher pension costs and potential VAT changes. He adds: “This increase will be an unwelcome further cost for independent schools to weather in a challenging economic background.” By Lauren Almeida, The Telegraph.

Lord Lexden, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), writes in the ISA Journal reflecting on the ways in which cross-sector partnerships have developed over the years. He warns that Labour's tax policy would put bursaries and partnerships at risk, adding: "Enthusiasm for partnership will not wither in our schools, but the financial strains arising the imposition of VAT on fees and loss of business rates relief could make partnership harder to put into place." 

In a separate article, Nick Pietrek, headmaster of Stafford Grammar School, writes about how schools can use their independence to contribute to their communities and provide value against the backdrop of political turmoil.

Digital editions of the ISA Journal can be found on their website here.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Katharine Birbalsingh, headmistress of Michaela Community School, argues in favour of instilling "small-c conservative" values in children - including pride in being British - to support multiculturalism. By Daniel Martin.

According to research by the children's commissioner for England, only five per cent of children who were severely absent in both Years 10 and 11 - and 36 per cent who were persistently absent - achieved at least five GCSEs, including English and maths, at grades 4 or above in 2022. In comparison, 78 per cent of pupils who were rarely absent in both years achieved at least five GCSEs, at grades 4 to 9. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

Tes reports Dame Rachel de Souza has called for tougher measures to tackle low attendance. By Matilda Martin.

David Hughes, chief executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC), has called on the government to urgently address the low number of students starting T-levels. In a letter to education secretary Gillian Keegan, he says the amount of students starting T-levels are "falling short" of the government's target. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent. 

The Times reports on proposals to introduce barrister apprenticeships next year, which would enable trainees to earn while they learn. The proposed changes to how barristers qualify would allow students to complete their training over six years, and possibly qualify to practise at the Bar debt-free. By Catherine Baksi.

As world leaders gather for an AI summit at Bletchley Park, Jo Sharrock, head of Putney High School GDST, discusses the impact of this technology and the importance of understanding how the human mind works.