Writing in The Spectator, Toby Young explores the possible effects of the Labour Party's plan to levy VAT on independent schools. Arguing that Sir Keir Starmer’s policy is "just another piece of pointless virtue-signalling", Mr Young says: "It will almost certainly cost the taxpayer money, it is more likely to damage social mobility than improve it, and it won’t make our education system any fairer." Reference is made to comments from David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA) and Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The article also mentions research findings from the ISC and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations.

The Public and Commercial Services union has announced that strikes will take place on 15 March across 123 government departments in England, Scotland and Wales. Staff at the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted are set to walk out on the day of the Government’s spring budget and the National Education Union (NEU) strikes in England. By Samantha Booth, Schools Week.

The NEU has said that teachers at Winchester College have reached an agreement over pay but remain in dispute over pensions. Decisions over strike action in the independent sector are conducted on an individual basis at each setting. By Ross Kaniuk, The Times.

In a blog to mark Children's Mental Health Week, Donald Manson, head of music at Shoreham College, reflects on his school’s experience of implementing mindfulness training for the benefit of students and staff.

The Independent Review of Prevent report suggests that frontline staff in schools may need “strengthened training” on the causes of radicalisation while more “independent oversight” could improve their compliance with the Prevent counter-terror programme. By Callum Mason, Tes.

A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has revealed a rise in the number of young people seeking help for illnesses including anorexia and bulimia since the onset of the pandemic, suggesting children with eating disorders are 'bearing the brunt' of long NHS waiting lists for treatment. By Eleanor Hayward, The Times.

Alun Francis, the interim chair of the Government's Social Mobility Commission, has said that students should be given more information about how the courses they study after leaving school could affect their employment prospects, as figures from the Commission have shown 'near-record' numbers of 18-year-olds applying to university. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

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