Private Schools

The latest news, analysis and thought leadership for the independent schools sector, including taxes and funding, state-private partnerships, pupil wellbeing and more

Tuesday

1st Sep 2026

5 trends for British international schools this year
From teacher recruitment to group consolidation, Association of British International Schools chair James McDonald shares insights on key trends set to impact settings in 2026-27
Lightbulb with Union Flag

Thursday

20th Aug 2026

GCSE results 2026: English and maths pass rates down for fifth straight year
This year’s GCSE results also reveal that the regional divide in England in attainment continued to widen while the gender gap narrowed
GCSE results 2026: English and maths pass rates

Monday

10th Aug 2026

Why private schools opening overseas must adapt to thrive
As more UK independent schools look to open campuses in other countries, this primary leader shares examples of how to lean into local customs and cultures to ensure that the new school is built on solid foundations
UK private schools have opened overseas campuses in countries such as Malaysia

Friday

24th Jul 2026

Two years on and the VAT debate remains alive
Should private schools accept that VAT on fees is here to stay, or could political winds of change shift again one day, asks HMC CEO Simon Hyde
Mother and boy at school gates

Tuesday

30th Jun 2026

Epsom College to open two schools in the UAE
Plans for British curriculum schools in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are a clear vote of confidence in the international sector in the Middle East despite the disruption caused by war
Epsom college

Thursday

25th Jun 2026

GEMS snaps up Jordan school, and appoints UK trust exec as Dubai head
Deal sees group expanding into another new market, amid appointment of Nick Soar to a role at a British curriculum school in Dubai
Aqaba, Jordan

Tuesday

23rd Jun 2026

The view from Nigeria: teaching and leading in a rapidly growing nation
The international school scene in Nigeria is booming thanks to strong population growth. We speak with staff at schools across the country to find out what it’s like to live and work there
Lagos Nigeria

Monday

22nd Jun 2026

GEMS plans Georgia school opening for 2029
International group follows up Zanzibar school announcement with foray into Eastern Europe
Tbilisi Georgia

Friday

19th Jun 2026

DfE legal costs rise by more than 50% under Labour
Increase in legal costs is likely due to the government introducing contentious policies that have ‘well-funded’ opponents – such as VAT on private school fees, say experts
A statue of Justice holding scales
Exclusive

Wednesday

10th Jun 2026

‘It’s just not cricket’: is brand the new battlefront for private schools overseas?
Commentators are predicting the dawn of a new era in international school competition in the wake of two Haileybury-branded schools in Kazakhstan switching to the Wellington brand
Almaty Kazakhstan

Friday

5th Jun 2026

Why private schools are rethinking their commercial strategies
With many independent schools under financial pressure, more are looking at ways to diversify their income streams
Field for hire

Thursday

4th Jun 2026

International schools in Kazakhstan swap Haileybury for major rival
From August 2027, two Haileybury-branded schools in Kazakhstan will switch to the Wellington brand – a move that may be due to increased competition in the country
Haileybury Astana