Channel 4 News investigates the government's VAT proposals and considers how the policy, which will come into effect from January, is likely to impact independent and state schools. Principal of LVS Ascot Christine Cunniffe is interviewed on the tax policy, warning that secondaries in areas such as Surrey are going to see "an unprecedented demand on school places". She adds: "The last thing anybody wants to do is impose more children on [the state sector] when they are already under huge constraints." Suki, a parent who will no longer be able to afford her child's independent education, says: "I live in a very humble abode, I drive a really old car and I'm doing all that to give my son the start in life that he needs... I don't really see why I should be penalised for that because I've worked really, really hard to get to where I am." By Ciaran Jenkins.
Dulwich and West Norwood MP Helen Hayes has been elected as chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee. Ms Hayes, the first woman to chair the committee, has pledged to prioritise issues including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform, child poverty and the school curriculum. By Shane Chowen, Schools Week.
Teachers and inspectors have been left feeling “distressed and burnt out” by a “toxic” regime of Ofsted inspections that needs a complete overhaul, insiders have claimed. Current and former inspectors with experience of the system, told iNews that the watchdog's culture has become too “aggressive” and rigid to judge schools fairly. By Adam Forrest.
In an opinion piece for iNews, Scotland correspondent Adam Forrest shares his own views on Ofsted reform having conducted research and interviews for the article above. He writes: "It is a tricky balance to strike. Schools must be effectively, rigorously held to account for the good of pupils, while also being treated with respect."
The English literature curriculum ought to include more “inclusive and diverse” contemporary stories that are “relevant and relatable” to the lives of young people, ex-children's laureate Malorie Blackman has said. In a foreword to a Lit in Colour campaign report, the author of the Noughts and Crosses novels said that no child should feel that studying English is irrelevant because “they never see themselves” reflected in the literature. By Tom Ambrose, The Guardian.
Schools in Scotland have been told to ditch blazers from their uniforms in new guidance from the SNP. Headteachers are now being urged to require pupils to wear “generic” non-branded, gender-neutral items and look into “alternatives” to ties and formal trousers. Ministers have said "flexible and inclusive" uniform rules will reduce costs for families and promote the "comfort, happiness and freedom" of children. By Daniel Sanderson, The Telegraph.
