Private school group 'arrogant', says Bridget Phillipson

Some describe Bridget Phillipson as “peppy” but she says she will “make a change”. this is important' Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley for The Telegraph

A private schools group opposing Labour's VAT raid is «arrogant», says Bridget Phillipson.

The shadow education secretary used his conference speech on Wednesday to attack the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents about 1,400 private schools.

She targeted the lobby group over emails obtained by Labor using public records requests earlier this year which revealed an ISC staffer saying Ms Phillipson could be «very energetic».

Ms Phillipson told Labor. Party Conference: “We know what the private schools lobby thinks about our ambitions. They were arrogant enough to write it down. “Chippie.”

“And if they or anyone else doubts my determination to achieve our dream, I have a message for them.

“Chippie people are making important changes. I will make changes that matter. Together we will make a difference.

“We will end the tax breaks that private schools enjoy to ensure high and rising standards in every school for every child.”

Ms Phillipson, 39, has been the Labor MP for Houghton and Sunderland South since 2010.

She was raised by a single mother in what she described as «real poverty» and credits her Catholic comprehensive school education with helping her gain entry to Oxford University, where she studied modern history and was co-chair of the university's Labor group. .

Ms Phillipson has previously described herself as “a little short-tempered”. In an interview with the Evening Standard last year, she said she arrived in Westminster as a “slightly sprightly Northern girl”.

The ISC is calling on Labor to reconsider its planned tax raid, which includes adding 20 per cent VAT to tuition fees and introducing business rates for private schools.

Analysts warn the policy will bring in significantly less money. than Labour's £1.7 billion pledge because tens of thousands of private school pupils will be forced into the state sector by higher fees.

Ms Phillipson's attack on the ISC comes after Labor MPs shunned private school principals at a conference this week.

More than 40 MPs and their colleagues were invited to a private reception attended by independent headteachers who are concerned that Labour's plans will make their schools more elitist.

However, The Telegraph reported that none of them attended the event on Monday afternoon .

Responding to Ms Phillipson's speech, an ISC spokesman said: «We share Labour's aim of wanting the best outcomes for every child and we are consistent in our offer to work together to achieve this.»

The shadow education secretary also used her speech on Wednesday to announce the appointment of Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland and former chief inspector of schools, to lead a review aimed at delivering on Labour's ambitions to create a childcare system to support families. from the end of maternity leave to the end of primary school.

The review will include consideration of ways to increase the provision of primary school-based kindergartens in response to declining fertility rates.

' High and rising standards'

Labour has pledged to deliver “high and rising standards” and a “richer school curriculum” covering speaking, listening and digital skills.

Its commitment to education also includes providing additional training to primary school teachers to enable them to provide a high standard of education. -quality mathematics teaching.

The party said it would consider how to reform the mathematics curriculum to include financial literacy such as household budgeting, holiday exchange rates, spreadsheets sports leagues and cooking recipes.

However, it has not made any commitment to additional funding for schools.

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “It is clear that to maintain the quality of education or make drastic changes changes in student attendance and well-being will require adequate funding.

“High and rising standards will require more teachers and more time so teachers can focus on the core responsibilities of teaching and strong relationships with students.”