The government's VAT plans for independent schools risk costing the taxpayer up to £1.8 billion, a new report from the Adam Smith Institute has found telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/3…

I do find it disappointing that the planned government changes bringing in an education tax for independent schools will make moving from 1 in 5 on bursaries to 1 in 3 so much harder than it might have been, to the detriment of young people.

Parents are already turning down independent school places ahead of the implementation of VAT on fees, school leaders and education experts have warned independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

"There is not enough time for schools to adjust... it could cause significant disruption for pupils in both private and state school sectors." One in five independent schools could close within three years as a result of VAT on fees, new research suggests dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1…

"There is pressure on parents to act quickly and local authority and school admission processes aren't set up to support it." Several parents share their experience of trying to secure state school places for their children before VAT is added to fees independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

Campaigners have delivered a petition to Downing Street with 203,400 signatures calling for independent school fees to remain VAT-free, amid a House of Lords debate on the potential effects of the tax policy dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1…

Lord Lexden, ISA President, passionately addressed the House of Lords on the upcoming VAT policy's impact on independent schools. He warns of the potential harm to children's education and well-being. Read his full speech here: t.ly/ZoBrV

Lord Lexden, The Independent Schools Association (ISA) president, opened a House of Lords debate yesterday on the potential impact of VAT on fees. During the session, Peers from across the political spectrum warned of the unintended consequences for schools and families bit.ly/47gW3hA🧵

"All children with SEND should be exempt from the VAT charge. It should not be applied to service families receiving the CEA. Steps should be taken to protect small faith schools. Above all, VAT should not begin to apply before the start of the 2025-26 academic year."-Lord Lexden

"My Lords, I stand here as a supporter of the Government, but no support can be blind. I cannot support the proposed VAT on independent school fees...It is immoral and destined to bring about significant social and political damage to my party and the country." - Lord Hacking

Pleased to see that the House of Lords debate on VAT on school fees focused on children and that a new education tax is being introduced. It is not removing a tax break anymore than adding VAT to something VAT is not added to now would be removing a tax break.

Labour's VAT on fees plan faces a High Court challenge over claims it breaches human rights law. Lawyers acting on behalf of a mother and her autistic daughter have written to the Treasury arguing the policy discriminates against children with SEND telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/priv…

"I can't send my son to a school that is 90 minutes away - that's just not doable." Sarah, whose son currently attends an independent school, speaks to iNews about how she has been unable to find a nearby state school place for her child inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyl…

Norfolk County Council has warned the VAT on fees policy could push more children with SEND into mainstream schools. The council said it was struggling to meet rising costs of SEND provision, forecasting a £115m budget deficit by March bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

"One of the things I'm reminded of is that day in, day out, there's a great deal of light to be found in every school in the country." In this video, ASCL President Manny Botwe shares his plans for his presidential year and his theme of a brighter future: ascl.org.uk/president

ISC chief executive Julie Robinson warns the VAT on fees policy could have a "devastating" impact on children attending independent performing arts schools under the government's Music and Dance Scheme ⤵️

"I’ve contacted all of the local state schools in Edinburgh and I’ve been told there are no places." The Telegraph explores how online independent schools could be an alternative for families set to be impacted by the government's VAT on fees policy telegraph.co.uk/money/families…

"The challenges to cost and affordability are very real, and for some vocational schools and families relying on them, it could be catastrophic." Tring Park School principal Simon Larter-Evans warns VAT on fees could "undermine" the creative arts sector schoolmanagementplus.com/bursars-financ…

Next week 52 Year 5s from nine local primary schools will be mentored by this wonderful group of Alleyn's School Year 11s as part of the scec-uk.org weekly Saturday Maths programme. We're really looking forward to welcome our new maths experts! #powerofpartnerships

Lower Sixth students from Caterham School run a weekly drama club for children from St John's Primary School. There are two cycles of the programme per year, which culminate in the performance of a scripted play in front of parents and carers 🎭