ISC Daily News Summary

Head of More House School Jonathan Hetherington was interviewed by James Cannon on BBC Radio Surrey yesterday, during which he outlined concerns over the government's VAT policy for independent school fees. Mr Hetherington tells the programme he fears the plans will "put the burden [of specialist provision] back on the state system" as more parents will apply for Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) that cover the full cost of their child's fees, resulting in a "net loss" to the government. Jane, the mother of a nine-year-old girl who is dyslexic, autistic and has ADHD, explains how her daughter has "absolutely flourished" at More House, the largest specialist school in the country, but that the family will really struggle when the fees rise by 20 per cent in January. Helena, a mother of two boys at the school, tells the programme she is equally concerned over the impact of VAT and says she was shocked by the government's VAT announcement. "I will fight tooth and nail to make sure my children stay at More House School but, financially, it's crippling", she says. Additional reporting by Charlie Rose. The item starts at 2:07:17. 

BBC InDepth takes a closer look at what will happen when VAT is imposed on independent school fees and talks to parents in Edinburgh who are uncertain about the state sector’s capacity to accommodate more pupils. A parent with children at George Heriot's School says the policy "is keeping people awake at night", adding that when she enquired about spaces at her local state school she was told there is no room. The article considers the projected fall in the school-age population and how this is also likely to affect the pressure on school places across the city. Reference is made to data from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Andrew Picken.

Northern Ireland's education minister, Paul Givan, has expressed concern that the government’s VAT policy could impact some grammar schools in the region. Mr Givan said the draft legislation could "capture all schools, whether private or not, that charge a fee", potentially affecting 21 grant-aided grammar schools that charge additional fees. By Rebecca Black, The Independent.

In a series of written questions in the House of Commons, Conservative MP for East Hampshire Damian Hinds asked chancellor Rachel Reeves whether she has received representations over the timing of the consultation on applying VAT to independent school fees and removing business rate reliefs from independent schools that have them. 

In response, Labour MP for Ealing North James Murray said: "A technical consultation was published on 29 July and remained open until 15 September. This gave schools 6 weeks to prepare a consultation response, including around 2 weeks from the end of the school holidays. It is important that the consultation closed on 15 September to provide enough time to analyse responses and consider any changes to the draft legislation ahead of Budget." Hansard.

Teachers are to be allowed to work from home under government plans to address the recruitment crisis in schools. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson is expected to tell headteachers that they can let their staff do marking and planning away from the classroom to help stem the tide of women leaving the profession when they have children. By Daniel Martin, The Telegraph. 

The number of children fully vaccinated for MMR by the age of five has dropped to the lowest level in 14 years, NHS data has shown. The figures have prompted fresh appeals from the UK Health and Security Agency and the NHS for parents to review their child’s vaccination records. By Poppy Koronka, The Times.