The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has warned that charities will be at risk if tax exemptions for independent schools are removed under Labour's plans. An ISC spokesperson said: "If Labour takes away the tax relief associated with charitable status for independent schools, the policy would create a two-tier system within the charity sector, setting a precedent that any charity seen as not reflecting the political ideology of the government of the day could be subject to additional taxes." By Ella Braidwood, Third Sector.

The Guardian's Thursday briefing considers the findings of a report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) on Labour's plans to remove VAT exemption from independent schools. The paper considers the impact on the wider education system and includes arguments for and against the proposals. The ISC is referenced and the briefing concludes with a look at some of the plans' unintended consequences. Richard Adams, The Guardian's education editor, says: “There are actually a large number of private schools which look nothing like Eton and Winchester. They’re very small, community-run or run by parents or particular religious groups, for example. And ironically, they may be affected the worst by this.” By Esther Addley.

Writing in Independent School Management Plus, headteacher of Stafford Grammar School Nick Pietrek details how a number of pupils at his school who have been identified as needing specialist SEND support will now have to pay extra if the Local Education Authority is to continue to help them. Asking if this is the latest way to attack independent schools, Mr Pietrek warns: "The fixation of many politicians and the media to try and pull down the independent schools sector is going to be a genuine tragedy."

Schools in England could be affected by further teacher strikes after a second education union voted to walk out over pay. The NASUWT union said 88.5 per cent of around 122,000 balloted members voted for industrial action, with a 51.9 per cent turnout. By Alice Evans, BBC News.

Figures from Ucas have shown the biggest drop in a decade in white applicants to universities as the number of black and Asian candidates grows. Figures from the admissions service show school leavers from British Asian backgrounds rose by 4 per cent to 52,460 while black British applicant numbers increased by 6 per cent to 24,370. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times.

David Tuck, head of history and politics at Harrow International School Hong Kong, writes in Tes on why he decided to spend his later career years working abroad. To colleagues contemplating such a move, Mr Tuck says: "I can certainly say the opportunity to move and work abroad is one any teacher thinking of a change should consider."

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

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