Writing in Independent School Management Plus, principal at George Watson's College Melvyn Roffe explains why he believes it is not pedantic for independent schools to oppose the "private school" description. He writes: "It suits a certain point-of-view, often expressed in the media and reflected in the Labour Party’s policy on imposing VAT on independent school fees, to portray schools which are not on the state payroll as irrelevant to the public good." Outlining the collaborative work taking place between both sectors, he adds: "Those who criticise the disparity might better target [other areas] rather than independent schools, particularly where those schools are doing their level best to address open access issues through bursaries and innovative partnership working."

Almost two-thirds of children do not feel safe in school every day, a government survey has revealed. The poll of around 2,500 secondary pupils, which was conducted in May 2023, found that 61 per cent had not felt safe at school in the past week, up from 59 per cent the previous year. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

In a blog for the ISC, Hester Anderson, of Aysgarth School Trust Ltd, explains why the provision of independent education for military families is so important in offering stability and continuity for the children of service personnel. 

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