Writing in The Spectator, columnist Ross Clark explores plans by the Labour Party to remove the charitable status of independent schools and add VAT to school fees. Mr Clark acknowledges that not all Labour MPs support the proposals and says one factor preventing Labour initiating the policy in the past is "the fear that this could impose a huge extra burden on state schools".

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), is quoted, saying: "A gradual rise in fees over a decade is very different to a sharp shock of 20 per cent to parents’ wallets overnight, especially in a cost-of-living crisis. Labour’s tax on education would not raise the money it claims and would place unnecessary strain on the state system." Reference to ISC statistics is made throughout the article.

Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), will today urge the education secretary to stop “trading fatuous soundbites” and make a pay offer to bring an end to the ongoing industrial action. By John Roberts, Tes.

The latest pay offer from council leaders and the Scottish Government has been accepted 'overwhelmingly' by members of the Scottish Secondary Teachers Association (SSTA) who voted in a ballot that closed yesterday. BBC News.

Schools Week takes a look at what what the Government and unions are each asking for in order to move forward and resolve the dispute. By Freddie Whittaker.

In an exclusive interview with Schools Week, Geoff Barton talks about the challenges faced by the teaching profession in light of the present wave of industrial action. By Freddie Whittaker.

Amanda Spielman, the head of Ofsted, has criticised sex education lessons in schools, claiming that some have “no basis” in science. Ms Spielman's comments come after Rishi Sunak announced a review of relationships and sex education (RSE). By George Syllis and James Beal, The Times.

Ministers at the Department for Education (DfE) will not publish new guidance on blasphemy for schools despite a pledge from Suella Braverman, the home secretary, earlier this week. By Emma Yeomans, The Times.

According to iNews, the chancellor is set to announce a multi-million-pound boost to medical training as part of a plan to ease labour shortages in the health service. The paper understands that Jeremy Hunt has privately promised senior medics he will fund a significant increase in university places for trainee doctors and nurses. By Hugo Gye.

In a speech today, Evelyn Forde, president of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), will condemn ministers for the "deplorable" state of children’s support services and their effect on the wellbeing of pupils. Ms Forde is expected to say that schools and colleges have been left “to pick up the pieces”. By Eleanor Busby, The Independent.

A comprehensive strategy to encourage thousands of individuals back to the workforce will include financial assistance for parents struggling with rising childcare costs. Expected to focus on those supported by universal credit, the plans will be revealed at Wednesday's Spring Budget. By Faisal Islam, BBC News.

Lindsay Paterson, emeritus professor of education policy at Edinburgh University, has said that some exam stress can be good for you, as he responded to plans to phase out high-stakes secondary school testing in Scotland. By Helen Puttick, The Times.

In a blog to round off National Careers Week, Graeme Lawrie MBE, partnerships director at ACS International Schools, explains how a hugely successful event at Thorpe Park gave thousands of students the opportunity to find out more about a variety of exciting career paths.

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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