The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is working to clarify whether independent schools are required to charge VAT on school meals, amid reports of inconsistencies between guidelines published by the Treasury and HMRC.

A leading headmaster says the Arts are an 'essential part of the fabric of school life', giving pupils a valuable opportunity to express creativity. Arts should not be squeezed out by an ‘overly utilitarian vision of education’.

Partnership work between Independent School Council (ISC) schools and state schools is at its highest ever level, with new figures revealing an estimated 175,000 state pupils are currently benefitting from initiatives between schools.

Kristina Lewis, assistant head (teaching and learning) at Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park, reflects on the success of the school’s student-led lecture series, which features numerous high-profile speakers.

Julie Robinson, CEO of the ISC, has responded to the findings of a new Parentkind survey which suggest state school pupils are almost three times more likely to have their lessons disrupted by poor behaviour than their independently educated peers.