Leaders of independent special needs and disabilities (SEND) schools have raised concerns that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is ignoring their schools as he forges ahead with plans to impose VAT on fees. Speaking to The Telegraph, headteacher of Moon Hall School Michelle Catterson said it is "quite shocking" that the party is failing to discuss its plans with leaders of independent schools providing specialist support. Jonathan Hetherington, headmaster of More House School, spoke of his disappointment that no Labour MPs had chosen to attend a recent event that he had arranged to facilitate cross-party discussion on the issue. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), is quoted, saying: “Nearly 100,000 students in ISC schools are receiving SEND support but do not have an EHCP. We are deeply concerned about the potential disruption to their education and the resulting pressure it would cause within state SEND provision." The article is accompanied by a case study on the experiences of a family from More House School. By Louisa Clarence-Smith, The Telegraph. 

Principal of LVS Ascot Christine Cunniffe was interviewed by John Pienaar on Times Radio last night, following claims that grammar schools are preparing for an influx of independent school children amid Labour's tax plans. Ms Cunniffe said she anticipates around 20 per cent of her pupils would have to leave should Labour's policy come into effect and that independent SEND and faith schools would "suffer the most". Listen from 01:21:30.

Author and columnist Allison Pearson considers the possible impact of Labour's tax policy on SEND schools, and the wider education sector, in a comment piece for The Telegraph. "Lazy stereotypes about independent schools abound", she writes, before highlighting the extensive bursary provision offered by independent schools. Ms Pearson concludes: "It [the independent sector] takes so much pressure off the state system that parents should get tax relief, not a tax increase!" 

In a letter to The Telegraph, former independent school headmaster John Richardson warns: "All that Labour’s policy will do is narrow the overall educational provision, reduce state-private partnerships, deny many the chance of bursaries and scholarships, and put private education further out of reach for many less well-off pupils."

VAT expert Kieran Smith joined think tank the EDSK's education podcast to talk through the complexities of taxing school fees. On the question of what important message he would like to give politicians from all parties, Mr Smith responded: "The main one, based on conversations that I've had with schools - big and small - over the last few years would be to make sure schools have the chance to prepare for these changes." The podcast does not offer, or intend to offer, any legal or financial advice.

Education secretary Gillian Keegan has said special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision in England is in the grip of a “crisis”. Promoting plans to deliver 60,000 more places to meet the needs of pupils and their families, Ms Keegan also acknowledged that parents are having to “fight to get the right support” for children with SEND. By Ben Quinn, The Guardian.

The Labour Party will not commit to the government's expansion of free childcare, Bridget Phillipson has said. The shadow education secretary told BBC Newsnight that she has commissioned a review of the scheme, which would see eligible parents in England offered 30 free hours of childcare by September 2025. By Nicholas Watt.

Robert Halfon has resigned as minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education (HE) and intends to stand down as an MP, Schools Week reports. Association of Colleges chief executive David Hughes said Mr Halfon’s “drive to promote inclusion and to back further education will be missed”. By Billy Camden. 

The Daily News Summary will be taking a short pause for the Easter break. We wish you all a very happy and restful Easter holiday.

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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