Meet Rosie, ISC's digital content manager 💻 Her role includes managing the ISC and Schools Together websites, supporting schools with Member Zone queries, helping parents find schools for their children, and more! Want to learn more about the ISC team? Hit 'follow' 🫖

"Days like these are more than just exciting; they provide meaningful educational enrichment." Fiona Price, partnerships coordinator at King Edward VI School, Southampton, explains how a recent partnership day fostered a spirit of shared learning and community www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

We are excited to be at the @uni-roehampton.bsky.social today to present the Independent Schools Council Digital Conference. @isc-schools.bsky.social

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of misleading the public over the VAT on fees policy, after suggesting it will be used to fund housing, not state school improvements www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

Today's High Court judgment states the government was well aware that some families would no longer be able to afford independent school fees but that it was "entitled to consider these factors to be outweighed by the expected revenue raised for public services"

ISC CEO @JulieR_isc: "This is an unprecedented tax on education and it was right that its compatibility with human rights law was tested." The High Court has "dismissed the claims" in the VAT legal challenge. ISC has vowed continued support for schools, pupils and their families

"We are part of the community and fabric of Wales." Paul Norton, principal of @kingsmonkton.bsky.social and WISC director, reflects on the invaluable role Welsh independent schools play in the wider educational ecosystem www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

The number of children with SEND attending independent schools has risen by 78% in the past decade, according to the ISC's 2025 Census. Heads have warned that the education tax could disproportionately impact pupils with SEND. www.politicshome.com...

"With increased business rates, employers’ National Insurance, minimum wage and utilities bills still rising, we have nowhere left to go. No further savings can be made." Kate Caryl, head of Wakefield Independent School, on the impact of VAT on fees www.schoolmanagement...

Independent school fees were 22.6% higher in January compared to a year ago, reveals ISC. The government predicted fees would increase by ~10% as a result of the VAT policy. "It seems clear to us that the government has underestimated the effect": Julie Robison, ISC CEO www.bbc.co.uk/news/a...

Want to get to know ISC's CEO Julie Robinson better? Well now you can! Henry Faber, co-founder of Oppidan Education, interviewed Julie about her career in education spanning 35 years. Listen to Julie's story via the link 👇 podcasts.apple.com/g...

98% of primary state school headteachers are unable to meet the needs of all their pupils with SEND, according to an NAHT survey, amid concerns over the impact of the VAT on fees policy www.dailymail.co.uk/...

"No consultation with the independent sector took place. And the human cost was never thought about." Gareth Jones, headteacher of Bilton Grange, reflects on the impact of the government's decision to impose VAT on school fees www.schoolmanagement...

A survey of 240 members of The Heads' Conference (HMC) has shed light on the impact of VAT on fees, with nearly half of schools reportedly planning teacher redundancies and a third preparing to remove subjects from their GCSE and A-level curricula inews.co.uk/news/teacher...

In the ISC's latest blog, Lyndsey Hayes, an A-level psychology teacher and chair of SCoPESC, explains how specialist organisations are bringing educators together to offer valuable learning resources and professional development opportunities 💭 www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

"When students are encouraged to reflect on their thinking, learning becomes more meaningful." Lisa Crook, deputy head at Banstead Preparatory School, explains how metacognitive strategies can boost pupils' confidence and support the development of key life skills www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

It is "not clear" whether the government's pledge to recruit 6,500 extra teachers will address the issue of staff shortages as there is no "delivery plan" in place, according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) www.dailymail.co.uk/...

Rising costs could contribute to an exodus of pupils from independent schools to "stretched" state schools, as the sector faces a "quadruple whammy" of financial challenges, warns ISC CEO Julie Robinson inews.co.uk/news/private...

"When you drill down into the ripple effects [VAT on fees] has on the education system as a whole, that stereotype begins to fade." Natasha Asghar, Welsh Conservative MS for South Wales East, on not fitting the independent school stereotype www.walesonline.co.uk/news/educati...

“The amount we’d be saving each month wouldn’t be enough to send them to the school.” A mother of twins with SEND, who has to withdraw them from their independent school due to the VAT on fees policy, says she considered selling their home to cover the extra cost inews.co.uk/news/we-...

"Student opinion, I believe, should be at the heart of any educational environment." Rosie Burt, a Year 12 student at Quinton House School, explains how an annual conference led by pupils is shining a light on some of the key issues facing young people today www.isc.co.uk/media-...

Data from the Department of Education (DfE) shows that many local councils had less than 5% of spare school places in 2023-24. If similar this year, it would mean fewer options for parents forced to move their children out of independent schools as a result of VAT on fees www.dailymail.co.uk/...

"Incorporating these celebrations into our routines is essential for fostering lasting change." Laurell Milton from @dulwichcollege.bsky.social explains how the school is promoting inclusivity through its celebration of events like International Women's Week www.isc.co.uk/media-...

"If we can recruit staff from minority ethnic groups to reflect pupil diversity we not only benefit our pupils but wider society." David Mulae explains how Cranleigh School is actively working to improve representation across the teaching profession www.isc.co.uk/media-...

"We remain committed to working with the government on their priorities for education and maintain that the best way to do this is through collaborative working rather than punitive tax measures": ISC CEO Julie Robinson. www.schoolmanagement...

"At Solihull, we believe that empowering pupils with AI literacy is essential." Matthew van Alderwegen and Charles Fillingham explain how Solihull School is helping students and staff navigate the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape www.isc.co.uk/media-...

“We are pleased that the Lords have rejected the creation of a two-tier charity system and the imposition of an additional tax on education. We remain extremely concerned about the impact of these political decisions [on] independent schools”: Julie Robinson, ISC CEO. www.tes.com/magazine...

"We wanted to equip our students to navigate AI confidently and ethically." Robin Street from North London Collegiate School explains the origins of the school's innovative AI Driving Licence, which is helping pupils to understand the challenges and applications of AI www.isc.co.uk/media-...

The House of Lords has voted against the government's plan to end business rates relief for independent schools. Peers voted by a majority of 91 to remove the key provision from the Non-Domestic Rates (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill www.independent.co.u...

ISC are delighted to welcome Mark Taylor as our new chair! "I am honoured to take on the role of interim chair. I look forward to championing and defending the bold ideas, pioneering approaches and strong community partnerships that are a hallmark of ISC schools."

Today we bid farewell Barnaby Lenon CBE, as he steps down as ISC chair after a long and distinguished tenure. Barnaby has led ISC since 2011, and we are extremely grateful to him for all he has achieved for the curriculum, assessment, and representation of independent schools

"The impact of taxing education is real" - Dominic Norrish, CEO of the Independent Association of Prep Schools. A survey by @thetimes.com has revealed some of the measures independent schools are taking to stay afloat following the introduction of VAT on fees. www.thetimes.com/uk/...

To mark #BritishScienceWeek, we're shining a light on the inspiring collaborative work taking place between independent schools and their state partners. One of these schools is @stalbansschool.bsky.social, which runs weekly activities for children and young people in the local community 🧵

"Our STEM research programmes are designed to bring science to life." Gareth Lewis and Dr Liam Duffy from Haileybury explain how partnerships with renowned organisations are empowering pupils with hands-on research opportunities www.isc.co.uk/media-... #BritishScienceWeek

👉 #EmpathyWeek is here! Are you a school leader looking to help your pupils better understand themselves & connect with others? Schools can access film-based assemblies, online events, & exclusive resources for free 🎉 Register here: www.empathy-week.com#EmpathyWeek @empathystudios.bsky.social

For almost 15 years, Blackheath High School GDST has partnered with the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to give aspiring physicists the opportunity to study GCSE astronomy 🪐 The programme prepares pupils for A levels and beyond, equipping them with valuable study skills #BritishScienceWeek

Around 100 independent schools are expected to shut over three years as a result of the VAT on fees policy, Treasury minister Torsten Bell has admitted. It is the first public acknowledgment by a minister that any school will close because of the tax https://t.co/KHwpqQOxLf

Matt Harris, a father-of-three, shares how the government's VAT on fees policy is impacting his family. He says his son "is being forced to leave the many friendships he has built, his place of familiarity and his routine through no fault of his own" www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

RGC Online is a ground-breaking programme developed by Robert Gordon's College to support the growth of the Scottish tech ecosystem. The platform's modules help to prepare young people for future roles in tech, including AI, cyber security, and entrepreneurship 💻 #NationalCareersWeek

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, joined Julie Robinson, ISC CEO, and Stephen Lehec FRSA, headmaster of Kingston Grammar School, to discuss education policy, community engagement and the important role of independent schools

“Independent schools can play a positive part in the national provision of education & be a force for social good": Helen Pike, master of @mcsoxford.bsky.social, reflects on the impact of the school’s partnership & community initiatives within the education ecosystem www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

"The Treasury and the DfE were warned that rushing in this policy would have unforeseen consequences that went beyond independent schools and the parents who choose them." ISC CEO Julie Robinson comments on VAT on fees impacting the UK’s inflation rate www.telegraph.co.uk/money/labour...

VAT on school fees has contributed to the UK’s highest inflation spike in 10 months, according to the Office for National Statistics www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A father is calling on the government to exempt families from paying VAT on independent school fees when medical needs prevent their child from attending a state school inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...

Taxpayers could face significant transportation costs if students displaced from independent schools are forced to travel long distances to state schools with available places www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/la...

In the latest ISC blog, Dan Clarke, coordinator of the Cheltenham Education Partnership, suggests ways in which cross-sector partnerships can be enhanced to ensure mutual benefits for all involved www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

"We aim to encourage all our pupils to see themselves as future scientists" Amanda Doliveux from King's House School explains how the school celebrated #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience with a series of inspiring STEM activities www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...

ISC blog: Serena Repetto, a physics teacher at Highgate School and LAE Tottenham, explains how a long-running partnership project is inspiring more female pupils to discover the wonders of the universe www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir... #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience

At least 27 local authorities have no spare state school places in certain year groups, @thetimes.com reports, prompting concerns they would struggle to cope with increased demand resulting from Labour's VAT on fees policy www.thetimes.com/uk/education...

In the final ISC blog marking #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, the Reverend Paul Gooding explains how @abingdonschool.bsky.social's multipronged approach supports students, staff, parents and carers in promoting positive mental health www.isc.co.uk/media-enquir...