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Original poster

How many kids have left the school? (VAT)

407 replies

limeandwater · 23/03/2026 13:38

It's been long enough now that I think we can make a reasonable conclusion on how bad it has hurt school.

To be honest at our school I only know 3 pupils that have left because of the VAT so not as bad as many feared.

Still heartbreaking for the kids though.

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driftwoodseaweed · 23/03/2026 13:59

Not sure how many left, but the number (and % size of) bursaries was chopped by about 50% according to rumours. I think that's probably true given the far lower number of students in DD2s intake (year 7) compared to how many were in DD1s (year 9).

Really sad as it's the really bright students, whose parents can't afford school fees, who have been hit the most. The parents of friends that DD1 has who are recipients of bursaries are really gutted, even though they are keeping their bursaries. One said to me the other day it's not about bringing people up but rather keeping every down, which honestly is how it feels as the very wealthy can continue as normal and the middle class who had to stretch to give their kids the best chance are, once again, the ones who suffer.

Near us the local comps are crap. I'd rather have quite my job and home-schooled than subject my children to them (moving isn't an option).

Original poster
limeandwater · 23/03/2026 13:57

Hallamule · 23/03/2026 13:56

What about all those children whose parents could never afford a private education, is it heartbreaking for them too?

One of the few private schools local to us shut down but that had been struggling financially since 2019. The others all benefited from that closure.

No obviously it isn't heartbreaking for them, as nothing has changed for those kids. They haven't had to leave their school and their friends.

OP posts:
Hallamule · 23/03/2026 13:56

What about all those children whose parents could never afford a private education, is it heartbreaking for them too?

One of the few private schools local to us shut down but that had been struggling financially since 2019. The others all benefited from that closure.

Original poster
limeandwater · 23/03/2026 13:54

Swiftie1878 · 23/03/2026 13:51

Our school mitigated the hit, meaning our fees only increased by 9%.
We gained pupils from two other local private schools that closed down.

That's good to hear.

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 23/03/2026 13:51

Our school mitigated the hit, meaning our fees only increased by 9%.
We gained pupils from two other local private schools that closed down.

Original poster
limeandwater · 23/03/2026 13:49

Meadowfinch · 23/03/2026 13:47

It's hard to tell, because how many children did not join the school, who would have done so if VAT had not been imposed - in yrs 7, 9 and 12.

My Ds' school will close their sixth form from September.

That's so sad.

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 23/03/2026 13:47

It's hard to tell, because how many children did not join the school, who would have done so if VAT had not been imposed - in yrs 7, 9 and 12.

My Ds' school will close their sixth form from September.