ISC Daily News Summary

As families across the country are notified of their children's secondary school places, Anna Tyzack, a freelance lifestyle writer and editor, writes in iNews on the impact of the government’s VAT on fees policy. Ms Tyzack talks to Simon Heard, headmaster of Sherborne School, who says that, for those parents already under financial pressure, the new tax has pushed independent schools "out of reach". In the extensive article, Mr Heard speaks about the crucial role played by independent schools, and urges families to assess a school’s commitment to "soft skills and character education". "This is what private schools excel at," he says. Urging ministers to recognise the value of UK independent schools, he concludes: "Whatever your views on Britain’s private schools, the rest of the world eyes our independent sector with envy. Other countries want to recreate it, which is why I find it so frustrating that the government is undermining one of our great assets." Reference is made to a number of schools in membership of the ISC’s constituent associations. 

Schools in England must provide allergy awareness training for all staff for the first time, under new statutory guidance announced by the government. Spare adrenaline auto-injectors must also be stored in schools for emergencies involving pupils who do not have a prior allergy diagnosis. The plans follow cross-party support for Benedict's Law, a campaign to improve allergy safety in schools by ensuring consistent, life-saving protections for young people with food allergies and anaphylaxis. By Hannah Karpel and Vanessa Clarke, BBC News.

The average school will not have to grow its teaching workforce for at least two years, according to government estimates published this week. The forecast comes despite the Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers by the end of Parliament. The document states that, on average, falling enrolment means schools will need 0.7 per cent fewer teachers between 2026-27 and 2028-29. Experts have warned that it does not take into account specialist teacher shortages, and there are concerns that major special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms could contribute to teachers’ workloads. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

Sir David Bell, formerly a permanent secretary in the Department for Education, is to lead an independent review into how schools identify, respond to and prevent antisemitism, ministers have announced. Sir David will consider how well state and independent schools and colleges are supported in handling cases of antisemitism, including through their own policies and government guidance. A call for evidence will open in the spring, with the education expert's recommendations following in the autumn. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

More than half of free specialist school projects put on hold by ministers are set to proceed, as councils decline alternative funding offers. The government offered town halls the option of opening 59 special or alternative provision schools or taking a three-year, £50,000-per-pupil monetary alternative to create new places in existing schools. A further 18 special schools and 28 mainstream schools were cancelled altogether, and councils had until last Friday to submit their responses. Schools Week reports that 34 schools have been approved by councils, and a further 18 are in areas where councils decided to accept alternative funding. The paper has published a full list of the decisions so far. By Ruth Lucas.

Writing in Schools Week, Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, highlights the importance of supporting young people in processing their emotions around the escalating conflict in the Middle East, rather than leaving them to rely on the internet as their primary source of information. "We must always answer children’s questions. They deserve far more than our silence," she says. Dame Rachel encourages adults to offer a safe space where children can air their concerns, and directs them towards outlets such as Newsround, which provide clear, age-appropriate updates that youngsters can easily understand. "Ultimately, it is important that children feel they have the space to process their emotions," she explains.