Julie Robinson, CEO of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), took part in a debate on the VAT policy in a segment for BBC Radio 4's Moral Maze. The discussion explored a variety of topics, ranging from the importance of parental choice to competition for university places. Challenging the stereotype that independent schools are “posh”, Ms Robinson said: “Most independent schools in this country are a few hundred pupils in a small community school. There are schools who charge £75 a week, £3,000 a year. The children in those schools should be protected from unnecessary additional taxes – the parents should not be penalised for helping ensure that their children get the right kind of education.” Referencing the 111,000 children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the independent sector, she said: “Those parents have every right to ensure that their child has the support they need. The tax that we’re talking about coming in is potentially going to outprice them into a state school where they won’t get that opportunity.”
Kings Monkton School, a small independent school in Cardiff specialising in supporting children with additional learning needs, has warned of the unintended consequences of VAT on fees. In a blog originally published on the ISC website, Alison King, librarian and personal and social education lead at the school, said the tax "will only push us further from the reach of those who need us the most", while putting additional pressure on the "already overwhelmed and underfunded" state sector. By Abbie Wightwick, Wales Online.
Writing in Forbes, Robert Marchant says the UK government’s recent decision to remove the VAT exemption for independent school fees could signal broader changes to areas that are currently excluded from VAT, such as private healthcare. Mr Marchant, a UK VAT and Customs Duty adviser, writes: "Given the complexities there is every reason to expect that those industries where exemptions apply will be targeted."
In a House of Lords written question to the Treasury, president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Lord Lexden OBE asked what assessment ministers have made of "the impact of VAT on independent school fees on small independent faith schools, particularly those educating the children of Muslim families". In response, Labour life peer Lord Livermore said: "The government has thoroughly assessed the impacts of the VAT policy on small faith schools, including considering all of the evidence submitted through the consultation process. Based on the evidence provided, it is not apparent that small faith schools will be affected more by this policy than other schools." He continued: "The government closely examined proposals put forward for how small faith schools could be carved out of the policy, concluded that any carve out would reduce the amount of revenue raised from this policy, be unfair to those schools with fees just above the threshold, and would create many tax avoidance opportunities that would be difficult for HMRC to police. Furthermore, it is the government’s position that state education is suitable for children of all faiths. All children of compulsory school age are entitled to a state-funded school place if they need one, and all schools are required to follow the Equality Act."
In a House of Commons written question, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire Blake Stephenson asked what assessment the Treasury has made of the impact of the VAT policy on the UK's global reputation and the UK's relations with European and international allies. Responding, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said: "International schools make an important contribution to the connections between the UK and its international partners, which the Government remains committed to strengthening and deepening further. While they can be subsidised by foreign governments, depending on their funding structure, many international schools still charge fees comparable to that of a lot of British private schools, many of which do not necessarily follow the UK curriculum, nor teach exclusively in English. It would therefore be unfair to carve international schools out of policy changes whilst comparable independent schools remain within scope." Hansard.
In a speech to the Confederation of School Trusts today, Bridget Phillipson will urge schools in England to move their focus away from academic success and towards pupil wellbeing. The education secretary will say that top exam grades alone will not ensure children grow into happy and healthy adults, and will suggest that improving the sense of belonging in schools can tackle declining attendance and boost outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). By Richard Adams, The Guardian.
Australia's government has announced it will introduce "world-leading" legislation to ban children under 16 from social media. Prime minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws, to be tabled in parliament next week, will aim to mitigate the "harm" social media has been inflicting on Australian children. By Hannah Ritchie, BBC News.
An article in Tes considers the problem of "affluent neglect", which is reportedly an issue common to "many private international schools". CEO of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) Colin Bell highlights his organisation's role in facilitating training to help schools navigate the address the issue. By Emma Seith.
Writing in Independent School Management Plus, master of Magdalen College School Helen Pike says the US election offers schools the perfect opportunity to engage pupils with big questions around democracy. Ms Pike asks: "If [the election] doesn’t give us a window into the strengths and weaknesses of democratic systems, then what will?"
