Impact of VAT on private schools on bursaries

[noodlepoodler]

We are a low income family hoping to apply to a private school with a hope to receive bursary.

With vat imposed on private school fees, are they likely to reduce the amount of bursary students with a view to pass on less strain to the fee paying parents?

The thing about bursaries and not including boarding is that unless a school is completely full - rare - it costs the school little to nothing to offer a bursary and their charitable status depends on their providing community support. The easiest and cheapest way of doing this is to offer bursaries. The kids are using facilities and resources already in place and paid for. Most indie schools hold 'bursary fundraisers' but the money doesn't really pay for places. The incoming children are very carefully vetted and will often be potential high achievers that will uplift the schools high exam pass rates and get accepted at good grammars and high profile secondary schools which is great PR to attract new full fee paying parents. The loss of charitable status is likely to be the driver to reduction or cessation of bursaries being offered