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

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

Thursday

30th Apr 2026

Why we’ve put design thinking at the heart of learning
The head of Bede’s Senior School reflects on its new ‘D-School’ model and why they think it is the solution to providing both academic excellence and real-world skills
Patterned heads

Friday

27th Feb 2026

Private schools lose legal challenge over VAT on fees
Several schools and parents previously brought legal action against the Treasury, but now Court of Appeal dismisses the challenge
Private schools and families lose Court of Appeal challenge over VAT on fees

Thursday

19th Feb 2026

DfE promises ‘crackdown’ on spiralling private special school fees
National standards and price bands to be introduced for independent special schools as part of government SEND reforms
DfE promises ‘crackdown’ on spiralling private special school fees

Monday

19th Jan 2026

Inspired Education shuffles UK leadership team
Ashley Harrold will head up UK operations, while former Gumtree CEO will take over the Online Schools division
Ashley harrold