- Labour's VAT policy could force thousands of children from independent sector, admits Treasury minister
- Letters: Labour's 'illogical' VAT plans
- Parents support campaign to delay smartphone access
- A closer look at councils' SEND funding challenges
Labour's VAT policy could force thousands of children from independent sector, admits Treasury minister
Independent sectorTens of thousands of children could be forced out of their independent schools as a result of Labour's VAT policy, Lord Livermore has admitted. Speaking in the House of Lords yesterday, the financial secretary to the Treasury suggested that taxing independent school fees could displace up to 45,000 pupils, prompting renewed calls for the implementation of the policy. He said: "As far as the state sector goes, to the extent that pupils move at all, the number of pupils who may switch schools represents a very small proportion of overall pupil numbers in the state sector, likely to be less than 0.5 per cent of total UK school pupils of more than 9 million." The Daily Mail states that the proportion quoted by Lord Livermore amounts to 45,000 pupils. President of the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA) Lord Black of Brentwood told the House that Labour's policy is "vindictive" and "all pain, no gain", while Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Garden of Frognal called it "a deeply damaging and mean measure". By Eleanor Harding.
Scottish pupils at independent schools face “significant disruption” to their exams because of the government's VAT policy, parents and education leaders have warned. They fear that pupils studying English qualifications or the International Baccalaureate will be forced to catch up with a new curriculum if rising fees push them into the state sector. Louisa Gardiner tells iNews she may have to home-school her son, who has just started his GCSEs at Merchiston Castle School, or move to England if the family is unable to afford an increase in school fees. In its response to the government’s consultation on the VAT policy, the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) said pupils face “significant disruption” to their subject choices. SCIS added that pupils at independent schools following Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland also face “having their education disrupted” because there are fewer years where it is possible to easily transfer to the state sector. Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. By Connie Dimsdale.
Letters: Labour's 'illogical' VAT plans
LettersWriting to The Telegraph, Jane Cooper from London commends the Labour Party for "wanting to improve state education", but argues that Bridget Phillipson's approach to independent schools has been "illogical". Ms Cooper says the education secretary has "ignored the use of private-school facilities by communities and charities". Referring to the many collaborations taking place between independent and state schools, she concludes: "Countless volunteer hours are given to find ways to improve school facilities and the education of children."
In a separate letter, John D Clark, a former chairman of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), expresses his frustration that the media labels schools as "private" instead of "independent", overlooking the broader access they offer.
The letters appear halfway down the page.
Parents support campaign to delay smartphone access
Mobile phonesParents are pledging to delay giving their children smartphones due to concerns about their impact on brain development. Grassroots movement Smartphone Free Childhood says thousands of individuals have signed its "parent pact", with some schools supporting the initiative. By Emily Coady-Stemp and Adrian Harms, BBC News.
A closer look at councils' SEND funding challenges
SENDA Schools Week investigation has looked into the financial and operational challenges faced by schools and councils in managing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding in the UK. The article highlights some of the tensions between the policy intentions and practical implications for schools, pupils, and parents as they navigate the complexities surrounding SEND funding. By Samantha Booth.