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Original poster

State school 6th forms oversubscribed

436 replies

LordGiveMeStrength · 16/02/2025 19:56

AIBU to be concerned about the impact the new VAT on private schools will have on state school 6th forms?

Our local 6th form open days have been jam packed with so many year 11s moving from private schools.

Issues I see:

  1. kids who have been at the local state secondary school since year 7 have been told their space in the 6th form is not guaranteed and if they don’t get as high GCSE results as other potential pupils they will not have a spot. The nearest private schools have amazing GCSE results so very likely to displace existing students to other state school options a far distance from their homes.
  2. infrastructure - the local school is already heaving so accommodating a huge influx is not possible, buildings are already crumbling and it will take a long time before investment actually happens to improve the facilities.
  3. false economy- currently kids in private schools don’t cost the government to be educated. Government’s plans are that money raised from VAT will pay for additional teachers (but I don’t see that happening immediately). If lots of private schools kids move to the state system not only will government not collect that VAT, but they will all be liable for educating pupils who previously were in the private sector. I believe the current cost from central government to educate in 6th form is £5k with additional payments for more academic subjects (eg further maths A level pupils will equal an additional £900 per pupil per year in the state schools). Apologies if these sums aren’t correct.

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/private-school-parents-vat-state-sixth-forms-3473062?srsltid=AfmBOopXOi5842QMq-qO1NqHGR9g9-4BOi6Gc0v_dlhBbFBTMmU5Prsi

OP posts:
noblegiraffe · 17/02/2025 09:56

My sixth form would be delighted to get an influx of kids with great GCSE results. More kids = more funding. It doesn't appear to have had any visible impact on state schools round my way though.

Why are there 5 billion threads about VAT on MN again all of a sudden? Is something happening that they want to whip up a froth about it?

SpanThatWorld · 17/02/2025 09:55

Bewareofthisonetoo · 17/02/2025 09:40

Not if you have a Y11 child.
Of you don’t, just scroll on.

Show quote history

I've had my Y11 days.

Open Evenings full of kids who want a look around but won't ever go there.

Most kids in the UK don't go private.
Of those who do, most will stay in the Indy sector, VAT or otherwise.

Most state schools give places to existing students providing that they meet the grades no matter who else applies.

It is very unlikely that whether your child gets into the sixth form will be affected by mythical hordes of VAT refugees.

Every day someone posts another variant of panic about school places.

It's dull. And I shall say so.

redphonecase · 17/02/2025 09:54

Well yes, this was always going to be the obvious outcome. Add in those who have kids in nursery and for whom the VAT has been the final thing persuading them not to start private. I have several friends in this position - they are all buying next to the best primary school in the area, and in 5y or so will move next to the best secondary.

VAT on private schools was always going to increase inequality of access to the best state school, I'm not sure why this is a surprise?

TizerorFizz · 17/02/2025 09:52

Definitely a short sighted VAT policy. Many schools have minimum grades for 6th form and no automatic place. Some dc cannot do the academic A levels so always go elsewhere. That would be no change here. I doubt whole y11s at private schools are looking either. A handful no doubt and more than before. Of course vat was spiteful and the state will pick up the fall out snd maybe some displaced dc at the local comp. Grammars have increased 6th forms to take even more dc here and have for years due to movement from secondary schools and private schools.

Tia86 · 17/02/2025 09:52

I used to work in a sixth form, we were desperate for numbers. Most kids went to college instead.
I guess it depends on where you live, what courses are offered, how many places they have for each course and overall perception of the sixth form v college.

6namechange3 · 17/02/2025 09:50

Isn't a low birth rate coming through, I thought there was an excess of sixth form places in many areas?

DeepFatFried · 17/02/2025 09:46

Meh.

Round us loads of kids move from private to state 6th forms, always have.

And all the Open Days are always packed, always have been.

Bewareofthisonetoo · 17/02/2025 09:40

SpanThatWorld · 17/02/2025 09:34

Blimey this is dull

Not if you have a Y11 child.
Of you don’t, just scroll on.

Kuckingfnobden · 17/02/2025 09:40

SpanThatWorld · 17/02/2025 09:34

Blimey this is dull

Why read it then?

CatsLikeBoxes · 17/02/2025 09:39

How do you know where all these yr11s jamming your open evenings currently go to school? Have you had the chance to chat to them all? Some pupils have always moved from private to state for 6th form and also vice versa.

SpanThatWorld · 17/02/2025 09:34

Blimey this is dull