ISC Daily News Summary

Independent schools have been forced to charge VAT on school lunches despite the government promising they would be exempt from the tax policy. Ministers said in July that school meals were “integral to children accessing education” and would therefore “remain exempt” from VAT. However, The Telegraph understands that many independent schools have had to add the levy to fees charged to parents for lunches due to inconsistencies between guidelines published by the Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is working with HMRC to resolve the issue, which could result in higher fees for parents than is necessary. Speaking to the paper, an ISC spokesperson said: “The written guidance suggests VAT should be levied [on school lunches] while informal guidance suggests it shouldn’t. Most bursars are erring on the side of caution and going with the official, written advice.” By Noah Eastwood. 

The Department for Education (DfE) should consider how to capture pupil wellbeing levels as part of plans to reform the accountability system, an Education Policy Institute (EPI) report has recommended. Noting that "there are no current measures of pupil wellbeing available in centrally-collected data", the think tank points to annual surveys conducted in areas such as Greater Manchester and Hampshire as examples of how this data could be gathered more broadly. By Cerys Turner, Tes. 

Universities must show that they deliver the “best outcomes” for students following the rise in tuition fees, Bridget Phillipson has said. In a written ministerial statement yesterday, the education secretary said universities should “raise the bar further” on teaching standards and “drive out poor practice”, while also emphasising the need to broaden access and enhance outcomes for disadvantaged students. Ms Phillipson added that the government will set out its longer-term plan for higher education reform by summer. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.