Schools' development sector news

Keep up to date on news from across the schools' development, education and charity sectors with our sector news area exclusively for IDPE members. 

Select an issue below to jump to a specific month, or click 'View all as a list' and then 'Show archived' to view older news.

IDPE endeavours to keep individuals from the schools' sector up-to-date with relevant news from the education and charitable sectors, and news stories are selected based on their relevance. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IDPE.

News topics:

Issue: legacy
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New VAT guidance for private schools
Wednesday, 16 October 2024
HMRC has published guidance for private schools on the implications of charging VAT on fees, including if, when and how they must register for VAT. Read...
Plans to add VAT to private school fees won't be delayed, says minister
Wednesday, 9 October 2024
James Murray reaffirms timetable despite many in the sector calling for changes to be deferred until September 2025
Independent Schools of the Year 2024 - award winners
Wednesday, 9 October 2024
IDPE member schools were honoured for their dedication to fostering educational opportunity and excellence at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards,...
Teaching unions urge government to delay private school VAT roll out
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
Teaching unions have urged the government to delay the roll out of private schools having to pay 20 per cent VAT on fees, amid fears of job losses and...
Chancellor urged to clarify private school charity tax changes in upcoming budget
Wednesday, 2 October 2024
Charity sector bodies have called on the government to provide greater clarity on its plans to remove charitable business rates relief for private schools...
Top fundraising trends for 2025
Wednesday, 2 October 2024
Charity Digital explores the fundraising trends set to define the charity sector in 2025 and examines the various challenges and obstacles that charities...
Delay private school fee VAT charge or lose teachers 'permanently'
Wednesday, 2 October 2024
Headteachers' and teachers' leaders have urged ministers to delay implementation of the government's school fee levy to next September, and to carry out...
One in eight 'high net worth' UK private school parents to withdraw children this academic year
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
More than half of parents with investable assets of £250,000 or more say their children's education could be disrupted by VAT policy.
New CAF Corporate Giving report reveals 75% of UK businesses did not support charities in 2023, and urges the Government for a national strategy for philanthropy and charitable giving
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
New research by the Charities Aid Foundation reveals charitable donations from FTSE 100 companies have not kept pace with profits over the past decade....
Commission updates guidance for charities facing financial difficulties
Monday, 23 September 2024
The Charity Commission has updated its guidance to help trustees navigate through financial hardship. Its updated guidance (CC12) is for trustees overseeing...
Educate September/October 2024
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Read the September/October 2024 issue of Educate magazine:





NEU backs carnival relaunch of Love Music...
Best UK private schools by A-level results 2024
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Use The Telegraph's interactive tool to compare the performance of independent schools in your area to others across the country
The September Snapshot: What Back-to-School Questions Should School Leaders Ask Staff?
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
The start of a new school year is the perfect time to set a clear direction, establish expectations, and lay the groundwork for success. It's also an ideal...
Best UK private schools by GCSE results 2024
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Use The Telegraph's interactive tool to compare the performance of independent schools in your area to others across the country
Ofsted enlists charities' help as it plans inclusion 'criterion'
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Leaders welcome focus on inclusion, but warn against creating 'perverse incentives' for schools
What are the changes to Ofsted grades and will they work?
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
The government is scrapping single-word ratings for schools following Ruth Perry's death, but a new system will not be in place until 2025.
New Ofsted school grades will not confuse parents - PM
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Ofsted's new system for grading schools in England will not cause confusion for parents, the prime minister said on Monday after announcing changes.
Trust Leadership Today: Summer 2024
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Highlights of the launch edition include:





Samuel Skerritt shares an insight into the current funding...
Private school pupils edge further ahead in GCSEs
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Sample data suggests level nine marks were five times more common than at state schools.
Eton to raise fees to £63,000 per annum in response to VAT change
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Eton college has sent a letter to parents saying it will raise its fees by a fifth in response to the government's removal of the VAT exemption on private...
The Status of UK Fundraising: 2024 Benchmark Report
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
The Status of UK Fundraising is back for the seventh year with 40+ pages full of insights and data to benchmark your performance against.
Over...
Independent School Management Plus Magazine: Summer 2024
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Packed with useful articles for independent school leaders and managers, this summer's bumper edition includes:





...
Charity Commission publishes guidance for online meetings
Monday, 22 July 2024
The Charity Commission has called on charities that hold online meetings to review their governing document to ensure it is up to date. Read more......
Military families could be spared from private school tax raid
Monday, 22 July 2024
Armed Forces could be exempted from paying extra fees, leaked email suggests. Read more...
Bottom Line podcast: Royal Grammar School Newcastle, Sevenoaks and GDST on private school business models and the impact of VAT
Monday, 22 July 2024
Private schools in the UK are mostly registered as charities – but they are also businesses – businesses in the sense that they sell a service...
Nine reasons taxing private school fees will not be straightforward for Labour
Thursday, 11 July 2024
Keir Starmer will not give in to protests against his flagship education policy - but now his party must deliver it. Read more... ...
Chartered Institute of Fundraising names next chair
Thursday, 11 July 2024
Harpreet Kondel's appointment is subject to approval at the membership body's annual general meeting in September. Read more......
Bridget Phillipson is confirmed as the new Secretary of State for Education
Thursday, 11 July 2024
Bridget Phillipson is confirmed as the new Secretary of State for Education – Sector Reaction. Read more...
Last chance to have your say – IDPE benchmarking review survey closes Friday 12 July
Thursday, 11 July 2024
IDPE is committed to advancing and championing schools’ development. Benchmarking is central to this effort. IDPE’s regular benchmarking survey/report...
Labour's private school tax raid 'likely illegal'
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Keir Starmer’s flagship policy could breach human rights law, top lawyers warn. Read more.....
Katriona Carmichael becomes Scottish Charity Regulator CEO
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Katriona Carmichael officially started her role as Chief Executive at OSCR on Monday 1 July, taking over from Maureen Mallon who has retired, and following...
Surge in use of AI but few charities ready to adopt it safely & effectively
Thursday, 27 June 2024
AI has seen in surge in use among charities and individuals working in charities, but most organisations are currently unprepared to use it safely and...
Legacy Futures: annual bequests reach record high
Thursday, 27 June 2024
Legacy income received by Legacy Futures consortium members in the year to March 2024 reached £1.81bn, it has reported: 1% up on the previous financial...
VAT on fees: 'These proposals demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of who we are and what we do'
Thursday, 27 June 2024
Alison King, librarian and PSE lead at Kings Monkton School, explains how her school’s offering would be impacted by the pledge to impose VAT on...
One-third of Gen Z supporters say they plan to increase their giving this year | Blackbaud Institute
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
One-third of Gen Z supporters say they plan to increase their giving this year. Are you ready to welcome them to the table? Read more......
Fundraising Regulator shares update on code review
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
Shaping the future: an update on our code review. Read more......
ISF releases new education spending report, examining proposals to remove tax exemptions from private schools
Tuesday, 11 June 2024
This report compares private school fees and state school spending. It also examines Labour’s proposals to remove tax exemptions from private schools....
Sutton Trust poll shows public support for investment to improve social mobility
Wednesday, 5 June 2024
British public backs investment to improve social mobility. Read more......
Vary gift aid by region to give deprived areas greater tax break, think tank proposes
Wednesday, 5 June 2024
The next government should vary gift aid by region so donations can help boost deprived areas, a think tank has argued. Read more......
Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024 opens for applications
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Big Give has opened applications for the 2024 Christmas Challenge which last year raised £33 million for 1,077 charities. Read more......
Analysis: VAT on private schools could end up costing taxpayers
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Revenue raised from imposing VAT on private school fees could almost entirely be lost as a result of the increased cost to the Treasury due to rising demand...
Labour would impose VAT on private school fees 'straight away'
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Labour to impose Immediate Tax on Private School Fees, Says Starmer. Read more......
Largest fall in Independent school entries since 2011
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) have revealed that enrolments at independent schools this academic year have fallen by 2.7 per cent,...
IDPE annual conference welcomes top speakers
Thursday, 16 May 2024
Ahead of the IDPE 2024 Annual Conference, the Independent Schools Management Plus magazine highlights calibre of speakers and opportunities for delegates....
Wolfson Foundation funding round opens for state schools capital projects
Thursday, 9 May 2024
Funding for secondary schools & sixth form colleges. Read more......
Physics education grants - The Ogden Trust
Thursday, 9 May 2024
There is one round of funding each term for grants to support projects that enhance physics opportunities and aspirations. Read more......
Labour to impose sales tax on UK boarding fees as well as private education
Thursday, 9 May 2024
Charge could hit private schools' plans to recruit more pupils from abroad to mitigate impact of VAT charge. Read more......
Showcase community impact - feedback invited from people living near a large independent school
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
The Guardian is inviting feedback people living near independent to share their experiences, including how they have benefited from use of schools’...
Donations by digital wallet and card account for 40% of regular gifts
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
Digital wallets now account for nearly half of all single donations and regular gifts, with a significant year on year rise, according to the findings...
Charities' legacy income increases to record £3.9bn
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
Charities’ legacy income in England and Wales increased to a record high of £3.9bn last year, according to new research. Read more......
Blackbaud releases newly updated 'How to choose a CRM' guide
Wednesday, 1 May 2024
How to Choose a Fundraising CRM Solution - Read more......
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