ISC Daily News Summary

iNews explores the impact of the government's VAT on fees policy on recruitment, subject provision, and catering, in light of a new survey by The Heads' Conference (HMC) of its member schools. The survey, which received 240 responses, found that nearly half are planning teacher redundancies, while a third are preparing to remove entire subjects - such as music, drama, computer science, and German - from their GCSE and A-level curricula. Speaking to the paper, Chris Fairbank, director of communications at HMC, said schools in both the independent and state sectors are making redundancies, adding: "It’s a combination of cost pressures and also demographics." The survey also revealed that financial pressures are costing schools an average of between £500,000 and £2 million each year, with schools also expanding their bursary provision to support families struggling with rising fees. Referencing the impact of financial challenges on the wellbeing of staff, Mr Fairbank said: "This is affecting teachers and their profession, and we are trying to offer a lot more support to teachers and heads." 

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), is also quoted, saying: "We have heard about many schools going into a restructuring process to reduce staffing, and we will see the result of that next academic year." She added that schools are assessing the subjects and extra-curricular activities they can offer, explaining: "Schools provide a really broad range of clubs, activities and subjects as well so these are things schools are reviewing. But of course, they’re going to balance making cost efficiencies against what they know is really, really important as part of the educational offer." By Connie Dimsdale.

A generation of children will be lost to poor mental health if safeguards on digital technology are not brought forward, leading paediatrician Baroness Cass has warned. Speaking during the second reading of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill in the House of Lords yesterday, the independent crossbench peer said the effect of smart devices on young people’s sleep, attention span, and learning is "not just a moral problem but an economic timebomb". Baroness Cass also called for teachers to be given dedicated training on the issue, in addition to education for parents. By Rhiannon James, The Independent. 

Plans to measure the happiness of all pupils are being championed by senior figures, including former education secretary Lord Blunkett and former cabinet secretary Lord O'Donnell, as part of efforts to improve the wellbeing of children. Studies suggest that the UK is one of the least happy countries for children and young people to grow up in; the latest international Pisa survey of education performance among industrialised nations revealed that the UK ranked 70th out of 73 countries for wellbeing. Lord O'Donnell said a national programme to assess the mental health of children in schools would cost no more than £20 million annually and would be a "vital" tool in shaping targeted policies to improve outcomes. By Oliver Wright, The Times. 

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has described a rise in teacher training applications and improved retention figures as evidence that the government is "turning the tide" on the recruitment crisis. A Schools Week investigation explores whether the data supports that claim, examining current figures and modelling forecasts. By Lydia Chantler-Hicks.

In an article for Tes, Margaret Mulholland argues that when mainstream and special schools work together, the entire school community reaps the benefits. She writes: "Special schools have a vital and evolving role beyond simply serving as placements for learners with the most complex needs; they offer both practical expertise and a philosophical foundation for a more equitable education system." Margaret Mulholland is the special educational needs and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders.