The government’s controversial decision to impose VAT on private school fees has led to over 13,000 children being pulled out of the independent sector, 4 times greater than anticipated by the federal government.
According to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), by January 2025 the number of scholars in private schools was 538,215, down from 551,578 at the identical time the previous yr. The ISC data only covers around 80 per cent of personal schools in England and Wales, so the true number of scholars leaving the sector is prone to be well over 13,000.
The controversial tax is currently facing a legal challenge brought by Christians and oldsters of youngsters with SEND (Special Educational Needs), who claim the policy is discriminatory. Last month the High Court heard that around 6,500 children with SEND could lose their places in private schools as a result of the VAT change.
The results of the judicial review into the policy have yet to be released.
Caroline Santer, a headteacher who helps to bring the case against the federal government, said that many smaller private schools are already being forced to shut because of this of the tax, putting further pressure on state schools which must tackle children whose parents can not afford the fees.
She said that the delay in resolving the difficulty meant further uncertainty for folks, who need to choose if they’re able to meet the numerous commitments required to send a baby to non-public school.
Her words were echoed by Jill Holt, headteacher of a small Christian school in Dewsbury, “Our small church-based Christian school is exclusive and essential to the academic needs of our families, 25 per cent of whom have identified additional needs and 15 per cent with emerging additional needs.”The longer it takes for the Government to reverse course, the harder it’s for the college and our parents to plan ahead. Our fees, that are lower than £4,000 a yr, are a fraction of the national average of £22,000.
“Our families decide to send their children to us due to Christian ethos, not because they’re affluent – most should sacrifice to send them to a college that upholds their Christian values and caters for his or her individual needs.”
The legal challenge is being supported by the Christian Legal Centre, whose chief executive, Andrew Williams also called for the reversal of the federal government’s policy, calling it an “irrational and disproportionate attack on families”.
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