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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Major donors 'don't understand gift aid', says Prism the Gift Fund boss
Tuesday, 10 December 2024
The 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 2024
A 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 2024
PTA+ 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 2024
Annual report of cross-sector partnership work between independent and state schools
Charity Commission publishes new guides on cybercrime & fraud
Monday, 2 December 2024
The 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 2024
The 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 2024
Charity 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 2024
The 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 2024
Independent 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 2024
The 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 2024
These 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 2024
Research 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 2024
Sky 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 2024
Reforms 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 2024
Income 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...
School Fundraising magazine – autumn 2024
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
PTA+ and FundEd magazines have joined forces to become School Fundraising magazine, a publication for everyone who raises money to enrich education. In...
VAT on private schools: Everything you need to know
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Visit the Education Hub on Gov.UK for everything you need to know on VAT on private schools.
Private school body takes legal action against government on VAT
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
The 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 2024
Private 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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Military families set to be exempt from Labour's controversial VAT on private school fees
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Extra 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 2024
Strategy is all in school fundraising, but where on earth do you start? Kathrin Ostermann explains all to Simon Lerwill.
Organisations must do more to support people affected by data breaches, says ICO
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Nearly 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...
The school development podcast: compliance
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Proper compliance and transparency in school development help build trust in giving, explains Louise Bennett.
The Status of UK Fundraising: 6 Tips for Harnessing AI in Your Nonprofit
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Blackbaud surveyed nearly 850 nonprofit professionals for our annual Status of UK Fundraising report.

With a focus on artificial intelligence,...
Children as Change Makers: Unleashing Children's Real Philanthropic Power
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
How can we help children make a difference, allowing them to shape their communities, locally and globally? Drawing on a rich blend of academic research...
Scottish private schools say they will be hurt worse by VAT
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
The UK Government has been warned that increased VAT for independent schools is unlikely to achieve its stated goals in Scotland, with the promised benefits...
Christian schools' legal challenge against VAT on fees
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
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Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever...
Nearly half of UK consumers now familiar with micro-donations
Wednesday, 23 October 2024
Nearly half (42%) of UK consumers are now familiar with micro-donations, up from 35% in both 2023 and 2022, according to a survey by Pennies, and a similar...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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.
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...
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...
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
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
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
Educate September/October 2024
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Read the September/October 2024 issue of Educate magazine:





NEU backs carnival relaunch of Love Music...
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...
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.
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.
Trust Leadership Today: Summer 2024
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Highlights of the launch edition include:





Samuel Skerritt shares an insight into the current funding...
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:





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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......
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