- Viability of cathedral schools under threat from Labour's tax plans, MPs told
- Letter: Levying tax on independent school fees
- GCSE maths resit pass rate falls in England, figures reveal
- Trusts planning independent SEND schools to meet demand
- Dermatologists warn against early use of anti-ageing products by children
- Financial incentives would attract career-swap teacher recruits, survey shows
- University of York lowers entry requirements for overseas students
Viability of cathedral schools under threat from Labour's tax plans, MPs told
Independent sectorDuring a House of Commons debate on choral music in cathedrals, Conservative MP for Lichfield Sir Michael Fabricant said that cathedral schools are "very, very concerned" they may no longer be viable should Labour's plans come into effect. Sir Michael highlighted Lichfield Cathedral School as one such school that fulfils the vital role of providing young choristers for cathedrals. Echoing Sir Michael's concerns, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC) Julie Robinson said: "The majority of independent schools, including cathedral schools, have thin operating margins and cannot absorb the effects of VAT and the loss of business rates if they are to remain viable. But nor should they have to ask hardworking families to bear the brunt of a legal requirement to place VAT on fees." By Gabriella Swerling, The Telegraph.
The full transcript of the debate can be viewed here.
Letter: Levying tax on independent school fees
LettersIn a letter published in today's Times on the subject of Labour's school fee tax proposals, a reader warns the underfunded state system "is going to require a great deal more than the £1.3 billion that the Labour Party calculates will be raised by levying VAT on private schools". The letter appears halfway down the page.
GCSE maths resit pass rate falls in England, figures reveal
ExaminationsThe pass rate for GCSE maths resits in England has fallen, after more pupils needed to retake their exams. November's exam rates have shown that 22.9 per cent of maths entries were marked at a Grade 4, a standard pass, or above, down from 24.9 per cent in 2022 and 26.9 per cent in 2019. By Hazel Shearing, BBC News.
Trusts planning independent SEND schools to meet demand
SENDSchools Week exclusively reports that academy trusts are drawing up plans to open their own independent special educational needs and disability (SEND) schools to help ease the shortage of specialist provision, with five trusts reportedly working on the proposals with the government's free-school support contractor, Premier Advisory Group. By Samantha Booth.
Dermatologists warn against early use of anti-ageing products by children
HealthThe use of anti-ageing products at too young an age can damage children’s sensitive skin, dermatologists have warned, and following a simple skincare routine is sufficient for pre-teens. Some teenagers are following online trends seen on platforms such as TikTok when they should seek medical help for problems such as acne, the experts added. By Kat Lay, The Times.
Financial incentives would attract career-swap teacher recruits, survey shows
Recruitment and retentionAn increased bursary of £30,000 alongside a higher career-change bonus would persuade more people to switch to teaching, a YouGov survey commissioned by Now Teach has revealed. Now Teach chief executive Graihagh Crawshaw-Sadler said the findings showed that the “public is intensely interested in the profession” despite teaching being “perceived as a stressful career”. By Matilda Martin, Tes.
University of York lowers entry requirements for overseas students
Higher educationUniversity of York is lowering the entry requirements for some international candidates, who pay higher fees than UK applicants, as a result of "current financial challenges", academics have been told. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph.