Public schools could lose charitable status
By Liz Stephens Independent schools could lose £100 million in tax breaks and be forced to raise their fees following a landmark ruling by the Charity Commission. Two of the first five schools to be inspected by the commission have been told they fail to meet standards for retaining their charitable status. The two schools, […]
Rough history: MPs and private schools
By Ian Dunt They say Conservatives get in trouble because of sex, and Labour MPs get in trouble because of money. So it’s no surprise that Labour MPs are the ones who have found themselves in deep water when it comes to private education. There’s a very traditional story arc. Labour MP spends career making […]
‘All MPs should send their children to state schools’
By politics.co.uk staff MPs are duty-bound to send their children to state schools, according to the chairman of the Commons education and skills committee. Writing in today’s Fabian Review, Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield, said party leaders should set an example with their children. “Elected representatives in public office should lead by example and send […]
Private schools ‘will suffer’ in recession
Private schools providing may have to close or merge due to the recession, educators were warned today. Attendees of the Wellington-Marlborough preparatory heads conference were warned by Haysmacintyre partner Noble Hanlon. “If it gets very serious, [prep schools] will have to close, or merge,” Mr Halon said. “Prep schools don’t have big resources; they tend […]
Private schools gain momentum
The drift towards private schools in Britain’s education system is quickening, with new research showing more parents would prefer to get their children out of the comprehensive system. Research by pollsters Ipsos Mori for the Independent Schools Council found 57 per cent of parents revealing they would prefer their children to attend private school if […]
MPs to quiz private school heads over charitable status
MPs are to quiz private school heads as independent schools are placed under pressure to justify their charitable status. The Charities Commission today published a report warning charities cannot be “exclusive clubs” as the public benefit is “very limited” if only a few people can join or access their services. This places pressure on independent […]
Best schools urged to mentor underachievers
The government wants the most successful schools to help those that are failing, claiming such partnerships can produce “huge leaps” in results at the least successful schools. Ministers believe good schools can be encouraged to share their ethos, management techniques and teaching expertise by forming federations with less successful schools. As an incentive, the government […]
Private schools ‘growing inequality’
Independent schools’ growing superiority over comprehensive schools is pushing inequality in Britain upwards, academics have claimed. Research from the Centre for Economic Performance due to be presented at a Nuffield Foundation seminar in Oxford later today shows a widening gap in educational attainment among private schools reflecting a doubling of fees in real terms since […]
Private schools could drop ‘trendy’ lessons
Private schools could abandon the “fashionable” national curriculum for a return to 1950s-style education. Headteachers at many of the country’s prep schools argue five to 14-year-olds should be taught key historical dates, spelling and times-tables – rather than government-ordered classes on obesity, parenting and citizenship. The proposal risks widening the academic divide between state and […]
Kelly defends sending son to private school
Ruth Kelly has defended her decision to send one of her children to a private school, saying it was taken on “professional advice”. The communities secretary has come under fire after the revelation that she had moved her son from a state school to a £15,000-a-year boarding school, with one backbench Labour MP describing it […]
