ISC Daily News Summary

In an article for Independent School Management Plus, headmaster of Stafford Grammar School Nick Pietrek considers the implications of Labour's plans to impose VAT on independent school fees. Speaking of the "hugely detrimental impact on the education landscape", Mr Pietrek warns of increased pressure on state schools and the financial challenges independent schools face, adding: "As a school we run on the finest of margins. We are a not-for-profit school and if there is any surplus it is immediately reinvested to benefit our pupils."

Sir Keir Starmer has defended his party against suggestions it is looking to introduce a “nanny state”, saying he would step in to make children healthier should Labour win the general election. The Labour leader blamed the Conservatives “neglect” for Britain falling down the international league tables for height and obesity among children, and said his “child health action plan” could be funded by taxes that include adding VAT to independent school fees. By George Parker and Anna Gross, Financial Times. 

Some comprehensive schools fail to take in disadvantaged pupils and are more “socially selective” than grammar schools, according to a new report on social mobility by the Sutton Trust. The report identified more than 150 state-maintained comprehensives as being more socially selective than the average grammar school. By Sally Weale, The Guardian. 

More than half of child sexual abuse offences recorded in 2022 were committed by other children, data from a landmark survey has revealed. Figures from 42 police forces in England and Wales have shown that a total of 106,984 child sexual abuse offences were reported in 2022, up 7.6 per cent on the previous year and more than five times the just over 20,000 recorded in 2013. By Henry Vaughan, Sky News. 

Analysis of government figures has revealed that children with diabetes, epilepsy and autism are among more than 160,000 pupils who are missing out on free school meals they are able to claim for. The data, analysed by disability charity Contact and shared with iNews, suggests the children affected are losing out on the equivalent of £570 a year of help that they are entitled to. By Alannah Francis.

Lord Nash, an academy leader and former Department for Education (DfE) minister, has said home-schooling parents should be inspected by Ofsted, following shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson's announcement that Labour would introduce a register of home-educating families. Voicing his concerns over the safeguarding of home-educated pupils, Lord Nash said: "It’s essentially an unregulated area." By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

Tes' latest in the "Safeguarding Around the World" series looks at the issue of safeguarding internationally, with advice on how to stay aware of emerging problems and the importance of raising awareness around online safety. By Ian Thurston, principal of Dubai International Academy Al Barsha.