In a House of Lords debate on the King's Speech yesterday, Lord Lexden raised the issue of the Labour Party's plans to impose VAT on independent school fees. Lord Lexden said: "It is a total myth that the independent sector of education is stacked with wealthy, well-endowed schools, educating the children of wealthy parents who can easily afford a sudden 20 per cent fee increase." Declaring his interest as president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA), Lord Lexden continued: "Its [ISA's] 650 member schools are virtually unknown outside their own local communities, which they serve faithfully alongside colleagues in the state sector. The hard-working families without financial reserves who send children to these mainly small, unpretentious, but highly successful schools do not deserve to be hit by a brutal tax increase. Some will be forced to move their children to schools in the state sector. Why should they be uprooted in this way?" Hansard.

According to the Institute of Student Employers’ (ISE) annual student recruitment survey, gaining a 2:1 degree is no longer a requirement for most graduate employers, with inclusivity and social mobility taking precedence. The figures suggest only 44 per cent of companies still require graduates to have a 2:1, down from 76 per cent 10 years ago, with companies also reportedly becoming more flexible on A-level grades. By Jane Hamilton, The Times. 

Writing in Tes, Margaret Mulholland offers advice on how to conduct an effective special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) review. Urging leaders not to be afraid of seeking help from consultants and experts outside the setting, she writes: "Seeing your school’s progress through an external lens is beneficial for everyone." Margaret Mulholland is the SEND specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). 

Safeguarding expert Mark Bentley explores the recent Online Safety Bill and what Ofcom's new guidance means for schools. Mr Bentley explains there are many new measures designed to keep children safe and protect them from online groomers, although he warns that "this will only work where platforms know the age of their users". Tes.

In a long-read feature, Schools Week considers the impact of schools minister Nick Gibb's traditional teaching methods in light of the recent publication of Progress 8 league tables. By Samantha Booth. 

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