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.
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Issue: legacy
View another issueAround 100 schools could be forced to close under Labour's plans to impose VAT on private schools
Saturday, 8 March 2025About 100 private schools will be forced to close because of Labour's hated tax raid on fees, a Minister has admitted.
It is the first...
It is the first...
Paul Winyard: Charities should approach the use of 'soft opt-in' with caution
Thursday, 6 March 2025The UK has a strong tradition of charitable giving driven by public goodwill towards charities. In 2023 alone, the UK public donated an estimated £13.9bn,...
Grandparents dip into life savings to plug private school fee gap
Wednesday, 5 March 2025Grandparents across Britain are increasingly stepping in to cover soaring private school fees, but financial experts warn that older relatives may be undermining...
Language change needed to boost UK philanthropy, says minister
Tuesday, 4 March 2025A change in how charitable giving is described is needed to boost philanthropy in the UK, a government minister has said. Culture minister Chris Bryant...
How many UK independent school closures will happen in 2025?
Friday, 28 February 2025Up to date as of February 28, 2025
A total of 10 UK independent schools have announced plans for closure or possible closure since January...
A total of 10 UK independent schools have announced plans for closure or possible closure since January...
New scheme aims to ease regulator's decision-making processes
Tuesday, 25 February 2025The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has said its decision-making processes will improve as a new scheme is introduced. On Friday, the Department...
CIoF seeks power to award chartered status to fundraisers
Tuesday, 25 February 2025The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) is pressing ahead with its plans to be able to award chartered status to individual fundraisers. CIoF plans...
'Relief' for charities as probate waiting times halved in six months
Wednesday, 19 February 2025The government has announced that probate application processing times have halved, offering a boost to charities receiving legacy income. Figures published...
ONS report shows 13% rise in independent school fees since January as UK inflation jumps
Wednesday, 19 February 2025UK inflation jumped sharply in the year to January, driven by rising food prices, air fares and an increase in private school fees.
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Labour's policy on VAT is a "step backwards for equality" says GSA
Tuesday, 18 February 2025Female spaces in the independent sector are imperilled by the imposition of VAT on private school fees, to the detriment of our daughters
How to get the most from CRMs – now & into the future
Tuesday, 11 February 2025The right CRM platform can help a charity transform how it manages and communicates with supporters, deepening relationships and ultimately bringing in...
The Status of UK Fundraising: 6 Tips for Harnessing AI in Your Nonprofit (Blackbaud)
Thursday, 6 February 2025We surveyed nearly 850 nonprofit professionals for our annual Status of UK Fundraising report.
With a focus on artificial intelligence, these...
With a focus on artificial intelligence, these...
Fundraising Regulator reports 97% of increased levy on charities has been paid
Thursday, 6 February 2025The Fundraising Regulator has announced that approximately 97% of the levy that fundraising charities pay to it has been received. This covers the period...
Navigate the tax maze
Tuesday, 4 February 2025Robert Warne, a partner and head of VAT at accountancy firm Crowe UK, provides an update on the latest VAT on fees position
From the...
From the...
Great Gift Aid Hunt aims to unlock millions more for UK charities
Monday, 3 February 2025Swiftaid's Great Gift Aid Hunt returns for 2025, with the aim of securing more Gift Aid income for UK charities.
With support for the...
With support for the...
Independent Schools' Council gets High Court date on VAT challenge
Monday, 3 February 2025The Independent Schools' Council (ISC) has announced that its legal challenge to the UK government's recently implemented policy of VAT on independent...
Win for charities as soft opt-in amendment accepted
Thursday, 30 January 2025As many of you will know, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising has been engaging with government ministers and House of Lords peers in recent months,...
Consultation asks for views on developing & improving charity boards
Tuesday, 28 January 2025The Association of Chairs has opened a consultation seeking views on how to develop and improve charity boards and encourage more people to become trustees....
Employee survey highlights charities as least likely to be using AI in the workplace
Tuesday, 28 January 2025A survey of employees in 12 industries and professions has found those in charities and not-for-profit organisations the least likely to be using AI.
'Significant win' for sector as government adopts Bill amendment extending 'soft-opt in' to charities
Friday, 17 January 2025An amendment to the Data Use and Access Bill that will extend the 'soft opt in' exemption to consent for email and text marketing to charities has been...
VAT legal action to be 'fast-tracked'
Friday, 17 January 2025Lawyers argued that parents needed certainty regarding the VAT on fees policy
New governance principles launched to guide charities' investment decisions
Friday, 17 January 2025The set of principles launched yesterday (16 January) to help charity leaders and trustees when making decisions about their investments.
Payroll Giving Month: an opportunity for charities to encourage more business participation
Tuesday, 14 January 2025Payroll Giving Month takes place in February: the annual event that aims to raise awareness and increase the support good causes receive through this form...
Steps to safer giving:Donate with confidence
Wednesday, 8 January 2025Most fundraising is genuine; however, fraudsters sometimes take advantage of public generosity, especially at times of increased giving, using methods...
Rising costs force 'difficult choices' on schools
Wednesday, 8 January 2025Head teachers say they face "difficult choices" over what their schools can afford, as a new report says they could be forced into further cuts next year....
New private school fee hikes in September after VAT rise, parents warned
Monday, 6 January 2025A September fee increase will be the third hike in just over a year for parents who want to keep their children in private schools
Major donors 'don't understand gift aid', says Prism the Gift Fund boss
Tuesday, 10 December 2024The chief executive and co-founder of a large charity that administers the giving of high-net-worth individuals has said that major donors "don't understand...
Winchester headmistress warns government plans will harm girls
Friday, 6 December 2024A WINCHESTER headmistress has spoken out against the Government's plan to hike taxes on private schools saying it will harm girls.
School Fundraising magazine – autumn 2024
Wednesday, 4 December 2024PTA+ and FundEd magazines have joined forces to become School Fundraising magazine, a publication for everyone who raises money to enrich education. In...
ISC Celebrating Partnerships Booklet 2024
Wednesday, 4 December 2024Annual report of cross-sector partnership work between independent and state schools
Charity Commission publishes new guides on cybercrime & fraud
Monday, 2 December 2024The Charity Commission has published bespoke guidance for trustees on how to protect their charity from cybercrime, and a guide on fraud.
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Headship turnover may be 'accelerated' by VAT on fees policy, warns BSA CEO
Thursday, 28 November 2024The turnover of independent school headteachers could be "accelerated" by the impact of Labour's VAT on fees policy, Robin Fletcher, chief executive of...
Orlando Fraser to step down as Charity Commission chair
Tuesday, 26 November 2024Charity Commission chair Orlando Fraser has announced he will step down as chair of the regulator next year. Speaking at the commission's annual public...
DMA letter urges extension to 'soft opt-in' for charity emails
Monday, 25 November 2024The Data & Marketing Association (DMA) has today (25 November) called on the government to extend the 'soft opt-in' for email marketing to the third...
Headship turnover may be 'accelerated' by VAT on private school fees
Thursday, 21 November 2024Independent schools could also 'struggle' with teacher pay as a result of the tax, sector leaders tell the Schools and Academies Show
VAT on private school fees could have 'seismic impact' on girls – headteacher
Monday, 18 November 2024The Girls' Schools Association president called on independent schools to 'stand up and fight' to protect girls-only education.
Steering through uncertainty: The crucial role of strong governance in independent schools
Thursday, 14 November 2024These are undeniably challenging times for independent schools. With the Government poised to impose VAT on school fees in January 2025, and the likely...
Two in five Gen Z people interested in becoming charity trustees, survey finds
Tuesday, 12 November 2024Research has found that two in five Gen Z people would now consider becoming a charity trustee, an increase on previous years.
Armed forces retention crisis will worsen over VAT on private school fees, insiders say
Sunday, 10 November 2024Sky News understands that more and more families are raising concerns about the "damaging" policy.
Charity fundraising reforms dropped in revised Data Protection reform bill
Friday, 8 November 2024Reforms designed to make it easier for charities to send marketing via email to existing donors have been dropped from the Data (Use and Access) Bill....
What's in November's issue of Fundraising Magazine?
Friday, 8 November 2024Income may be up but profits are down at charity retail outlets, according to recent data gathered through the 2024 Charity Shops Survey. The survey results...
Private school body takes legal action against government on VAT
Tuesday, 5 November 2024The Independent Schools Council said the decision 'has not been taken lightly' but it is 'defending the rights of families who have chosen independent...
Private school parents face paying different fees for same education after VAT
Tuesday, 5 November 2024Private school parents face paying different fees for the same education as Labour confirms the introduction of 20 per cent VAT, i can reveal.
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VAT on private schools: Everything you need to know
Tuesday, 5 November 2024Visit the Education Hub on Gov.UK for everything you need to know on VAT on private schools.
School Fundraising magazine – autumn 2024
Tuesday, 5 November 2024PTA+ and FundEd magazines have joined forces to become School Fundraising magazine, a publication for everyone who raises money to enrich education. In...
Military families set to be exempt from Labour's controversial VAT on private school fees
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Extra support to protect them from the hike expected to be announced in chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget.
The school development podcast: fundraising strategy
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Strategy is all in school fundraising, but where on earth do you start? Kathrin Ostermann explains all to Simon Lerwill.
The Status of UK Fundraising: 6 Tips for Harnessing AI in Your Nonprofit
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Blackbaud surveyed nearly 850 nonprofit professionals for our annual Status of UK Fundraising report.
With a focus on artificial intelligence,...
With a focus on artificial intelligence,...
The school development podcast: compliance
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Proper compliance and transparency in school development help build trust in giving, explains Louise Bennett.
Organisations must do more to support people affected by data breaches, says ICO
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Nearly 30 million people in the UK have experienced a data breach, according to the Information Commissioner's Office, with 55% of UK adults saying they...
Christian schools' legal challenge against VAT on fees
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