Independent Schools Council

ISC CEO Julie Robinson addressed 80 school leaders at a Dukes Education conference, speaking with Aatif Hassan, chairman and founder of Dukes Education Group.

Did you know the ISC is a trade body? ISC doesn’t work alone. We have 7 associations in our membership, as well as 7 affiliate associations. We work closely to ensure independent schools are well supported as they deliver high-calibre education to children.

“It was so good to be able to talk to HMC heads about the significant work ISC is doing to support and promote their schools.” - Mark Taylor, ISC Chair, attended the HMC (The Heads’ Conference) earlier this week

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

Keir Starmer accused of misleading public over private school VAT raid Sir Keir Starmer provoked outrage after suggesting his housing pledge this week was made possible 'because' of VAT on school fees.

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...

Private schools lose High Court challenge over VAT changes Three high court judges have rejected a judicial review into the government's VAT policy on school fees.

www.bbc.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"

Private school families lose legal challenge against Labour VAT raid Judges deemed the policy ‘proportionate’ in its aim to raise extra revenue for state schools

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06...

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...

Private School VAT Could Disproportionately Impact Pupils With SEND, Sector Warns Independent schools have warned that the government’s VAT policy could disproportionately impact children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

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...

VAT on fees: 'There is no fat left to trim' | School Management Plus Kate Caryl, longstanding head of Wakefield Independent School, reflects on its proposed closure amid financial pressures

"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...

Private schools say fees have gone up by 22% in last year The Independent School Council says private school fees increased by 22.6% in January compared to a year ago.

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...

Julie Robinson Podcast Episode · Heads & Tales · 14/05/2025 · 23m

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...

Special needs crisis for 98 per cent of primary schools A snap poll of 750 heads in the mainstream primary state sector found 98 per cent do not have the resources to meet the needs of all their special needs pupils.

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/...

VAT on fees: 'The human cost was never thought about' | School Management Plus The government never considered the human cost of the VAT on fees policy, writes Gareth Jones

"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...

Fewer teachers, subjects cut and frozen food: How VAT is changing private schools Parents are complaining of 'ludicrous' fee rises of up to 25 per cent. But schools still need to find savings

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...

Labour's promise of 6,500 extra teachers 'might not fix shortage' The National Audit Office (NAO) said it is 'not clear' whether the pledge will solve the problem as there is currently no 'delivery plan'.

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/...

Private schools blame VAT and Reeves for fee rises of 20 per cent and higher Parents hit by 25 per cent rise says they're running out of savings they can make. Schools also hit by business rates, national insurance and pension costs

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...

'I went to private school and I think the changes to the rules are unfair' 'I am more of a typical private school student than the stereotype many people have', says Natasha Asghar, Welsh Conservative MS for South Wales East

"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...

We pulled our SEND twins from private school - even selling our home won't cover VAT Jennie Armstrong has already given her son's school notice they will not be returning in September but is hoping for a miracle

“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-...

Only 1.5 per cent of state school places may be unfilled in some areas New statistics for 2023-24, the latest available, show many local authorities had less than 5 per cent of spare places across their schools.

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-...

Lords vote against ending private school tax relief | School Management Plus Baroness Barran tells House of Lords that education should not be taxed

"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...