Addressing delegates on the final day of Labour's annual conference yesterday, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson reiterated the party's intentions of adding VAT to independent school fees and removing schools' charitable tax reliefs if it wins the next general election. Ms Phillipson said: "We will end the tax breaks that private schools enjoy to deliver high and rising standards, in every school for every child.” Ms Phillipson also said "chippy people make the change that matters", referencing subject access requests made earlier this year that revealed an Independent Schools Council (ISC) staff member had said in private messages that the education secretary can be "very chippy". The education secretary has previously described herself as arriving in Westminster "as a slightly chippy Northerner". 

Responding to Ms Phillipson’s comments, an ISC spokesperson said: “We share Labour’s goal of wanting the best outcomes for every child and we have been consistent in our offer to work together towards achieving this.” By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Geoff Barton said the tax plans are "crowd-pleasing" but lack detail. He warned: "The unintended consequences are some private schools close and those young people moving into the state sector clearly will create costs." By Connor Stringer.

The Times takes a closer look at Labour's key policy proposals, with a section focusing on the party's tax plans for independent schools. Questions remain as to how and when the policy would be implemented, the article states. By Oliver Wright, Steven Swinford and Chris Smyth.

There is further coverage of Ms Phillipson's conference speech in The Independent, Independent School Management Plus (ISMP) and the Evening Standard. A full transcript has been published in Schools Week, by Freddie Whittaker. Tes includes a conference summary, by John Roberts, Matilda Martin and Charlotte Santry.

Earlier this week, ISMP reported on the findings of a report from the Boarding Schools' Association (BSA) suggesting Chinese families are likely to shun independent schools in Britain if VAT is added to fees. Today's Times reports on the findings, which have also revealed the perceived discrimination of Oxbridge against independent schools is putting parents off the UK. Caroline Nixon, international and membership director at the BSA, said: "With the prospect of an additional 20 per cent on UK school fees, it isn’t surprising that our survey shows Chinese parents, and no doubt those in other countries, are looking at other options." The article also references Ms Phillipson's speech at the Labour Party Conference yesterday. By Nicola Woolcock and Chris Smyth.

In a letter to The Times, Tom Lawson, headmaster of Eastbourne College, argues the prime minister's Advanced British Standard "promises greater investment of hours and expertise in education for those aged 16 to 19" but "perpetuates the UK's strange dual school-leaving exam system". Mr Lawson calls for a response from Labour beyond its independent school tax pledge, arguing: "Diminishing a largely innovative and successful part of the education constellation to level the playing field hardly seems the most optimistic of approaches." The letter appears halfway down the page.

White pupils have fallen behind their peers since the Covid pandemic, according to a report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI) think tank. The report also found children in reception receiving special educational needs support were more than a year behind their peers. By Nicola Woolcock, The Times. 

The Telegraph considers the rise in parents complaining about teachers and the effect it appears to be having on the profession's retention crisis. Names have been changed in the feature-length article, which mentions teachers affected by the issue in both the state and independent sectors. By Jack Rear. 

Lisa Kerr, the first female principal at Gordonstoun, is leaving to head up George Watson's College, Scotland’s largest independent school. The article looks at Ms Kerr's career to date and, in particular, her stance on restricting the use of mobile phones in schools. By Emma Taggart, The Times. 

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