Independent school headteachers have discussed the cost-cutting measures that may be considered by leaders if Labour imposes VAT on school fees. David Woodgate, chief executive of the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA), has called on Labour to publish further details of its VAT plans so schools can start planning properly. Speaking to iNews, Mr Woodgate said: “Leaders are undertaking financial modelling and are planning based on a range of different scenarios. Naturally, these look at all options for cost-cutting, but the lack of detail attached to this policy means it is too early to say for sure what independent schools’ definitive plans will be." School leaders including headteacher of Ewell Castle School Silas Edwards and headteacher of Rupert House School Nick Armitage are quoted on the likely impact of Labour's tax plans. Reference is made to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which show 85 per cent of members hold partnerships with state schools. By Poppy Wood.  

New research from education think tank EDSK reveals a number of reasons why attempting to tax independent school fees could present significant legal and political challenges for a future government, not least the complexity of legislation underpinning VAT in the UK. The detailed report has also identified a range of unintended consequences from adding VAT to school fees, which includes the impact on children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who do not have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP). It concludes: "This research paper has illustrated why the complexities of VAT legislation – which applies across the whole of the UK, not just England – are likely to work against any future policymaker seeking to deliver this proposal." EDSK.

Writing in Tes, headteachers Robin Newman (Haileybury College) and Martin Collier (Haileybury) reveal why the partnership between their two schools has been successful. They explain: "The key is to ensure that our initiatives encourage and cultivate best practice and ensure teachers at both schools continue to develop their pedagogy, which directly enhances the pupil experience."

In his speech to ASCL's conference in Liverpool today, the union's president John Camp will tell delegates the national conversation on education needs a “change of tone”, after a survey found almost half of leaders said they had seen pupil absence because of disputes with parents. Teacher Tapp polling for ASCL found 32 per cent of teachers and leaders reported absence where the reason was that parents or carers had been “in dispute with school”, which rose to 48 per cent when just leaders were asked. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week. 

The AQA is to launch a free digital maths test to assist teachers work out why pupils are struggling, but has delayed plans to introduce on-screen exams. Powered by "adaptive technology" that reacts to the answers a pupil gives, the test is aimed at children in the first few years of secondary school or those preparing to study towards a maths GCSE resit. By Freddie Whittaker, Schools Week. 

Tes features an article on encouraging children to read in light of new figures from the National Literacy Trust that reveal less than half (43 per cent) of children and young people say they enjoy reading in their free time - the lowest figure since the survey began in 2005. By Zofia Niemtus.

Following World Book Day yesterday, managing director of LoveReading4Kids Deborah Maclaren writes in Schools Week with advice on how best to encourage young people to read for pleasure. Ms Maclaren says: "Social spaces are critical to enable students to talk about books. Read aloud. Read in silence. Read together. Gone should be the day of being told to shush in a library."

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.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.