Editorial

The Independent Schools Council (ISC), representing 1,400 private schools, has voted to pursue legal action against the UK government’s VAT introduction on school fees, set for January 2025. Leading barrister Lord David Pannick KC will spearhead the challenge, which will focus on alleged breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights, including discrimination and the right to education.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that from January 2025, private school fees will be subject to 20% VAT, and that business rates relief would be removed from April 2025 onwards. Also announced in the Autumn Budget was the additional allocation of £1bn for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as part of a broader £2.3bn increase in school funding.

Imperial College London has opened Imperial Global USA, a new hub in San Francisco, California. Aimed at enhancing UK-US scientific collaboration, the hub will support convergence science and aims to foster over 100 partnerships in 2025 to address key challenges, from climate change to healthcare innovation. 

Eight universities have formed the Global Humanities Alliance with the aim of defending and elevating the importance of the humanities and social sciences in the political sphere. Comprised of member universities in the UK, India, Chile, Thailand, Australia and more, the Alliance aims to promote collaboration through joint research, global teaching, and exchange programs. 

Whether parents need to understand the nuances of the British school system or would like help navigating key entry points for their child, we know that the right support can make all the difference. That’s why our Education Manager, Amelia, shared her expert tips for making the transition as smooth as possible in the latest issue of British Education. Read the full story here - https://www.flipsnack.com/6ED5D7EEFB5/british-education-relocation/full-view.html

The Economics Prize was awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson for their research on the influence of colonial institutions on economic disparities among nations. Meanwhile, the Physics Prize was awarded to Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield for their work in machine learning, and the Literature prize to South Korean writer Han Kang. 

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is expected to announce an increase in university tuition fees in England, ending an eight-year freeze due to expire in 2025. Tuition fees, which rose to £9,000 in 2012 and to £9,250 in 2017, could soon align with inflation under a new plan.

Josh Thorpe, an academic skills adviser at the University of Stirling, emphasises the need for AI literacy in schools to enhance learning without sacrificing independent thought. With many teenagers using generative AI tools for homework, he recommends keeping students at the centre of AI use, guiding them to leverage technology for feedback and idea development.

Will Goldsmith, Head of Bedales School, criticised Labour’s plan to impose VAT on private school fees, calling it "levelling down" rather than addressing the real issues in state education. He argued that the tax won’t significantly improve state school funding, describing the hiring of 6,500 teachers as insufficient, and stressing that long-term investment in state education is needed instead. 

We are delighted that our Head of Education, Jess Harris, was named one of the UK’s top education specialists in Spear's Magazine's index. Learn more here -https://www.spears500.com/adviser/12966/jess-harris

Universities UK, representing vice-chancellors, has proposed a target to have 70% of school leavers pursue higher education, surpassing Tony Blair's previous 50% goal. The plan calls for a rise in teaching grants, suggests reforms to international student visas, and for universities to offer more career support for graduates. 

Prior Park College in Bath is ending its nearly 200-year affiliation with the Catholic Church to become a more inclusive Christian school, appealing to a broader range of families. Despite some criticism from the Catholic Church, the decision has received overwhelming support from parents. 

An online pledge by the campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood, signed by parents at 20% of UK schools, aims to delay smartphone ownership until children are at least 14. With parents at over 6,500 schools committing to the pact, the movement seeks to reduce peer pressure and raise the average age for smartphone acquisition.  

There has been a sharp rise in UK children being homeschooled, with over 126,000 children taught at home in 2022-23, a 60% increase since 2018-19. Anxiety, often linked to school transitions or inadequate support for special educational needs, is a leading cause, and experts urge reforms, including better mental health support in schools and a national register of homeschooled children. 

A new report by Tim Oates, director of research at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, highlights that children affected by early pandemic disruptions in the UK will face ongoing educational challenges for years. Recommendations include closely monitoring students, enhancing home-school connections, and focusing on basic skills to address the enduring impacts.