Why are Chinese-owned independent schools being sold or closed so quickly?

[RachelThieveyReevey]

Just heard of another Chinese owned independent school closing. There have been several recently and have also heard rumours of several other Chinese owned about to go up for sale. After buying up so many in a short time, it seems they’re all offloading just as quickly. It’s a sorry state of affairs for the poor kids and staff members involved, but was wondering if this is about more than the schools themselves. Financially, it was never a good investment with the prospect of Labour’s education tax, but Is there a greater reason as to why these Chinese businesses are all exiting so swiftly?

These schools were business investments. If profits and forecast sell then they can sell up and sell land

vat is a red herring, these schools weren’t profitable hence being sold to investors in the first place. In fact this prices why vat should be applied, they are businesses and businesses pay taxes including vat. Genuinely not for profit charitable status independent schools are being penalised but the sector was on borrowed time due to the drop in birth rate

China already owns a great deal of the UK both in terms of land and organisations.
I agree, it will not be done by accident.
I don’t think people realise it.

There are quite a few Chinese/Malaysian/Singaporean/Thai owned schools around Asia with British Heads and significant numbers of British/Aussie/Kiwi expat teachers eg. Dulwich College, Harrow, Marlborough College.

No need to send their kids all the way to the UK (ok maybe not Eton College…)

@Sandysandybeaches no need to attack pp. roll with the punches. This is capitalism. Which you supported before they came for you.

it often says on their website, if not Companies House. Also, it’s often known about locally, due to being reported in the local media when the takeover occurred.

China owns a great deal of property, even the major shareholder in Northumbrian water. All sorts of investment and land. They have interests in education for sure. Universities too.
The days when Britain owned itself, education and universities, industry and even our water is gone. We don’t even own our own water companies anymore.
We sold/sell anything possible to sell. I doubt the Chinese do.

@pimplebum
sorry, I don’t understand this sentence:
less privileged kids at private school is great as far as I'm concerned

Do you mean it’s great if there are fewer privileged kids going to private school as private education is a bad idea, or do you mean it’s good if less privileged children get the chance to go to private school?

Good point, well made.

Who did I attack? Do you mean when I pointed out to the person gloating about the closure of schools that they are pleased that ordinary people have lost their jobs - as one of those people I’m perfectly entitled to point out that it’s a nasty comment. And as for ‘roll with punches’ - I don’t know if you’ve ever been made redundant but it’s a really tough and frightening thing to experience. It’s not just teachers either it’s all the support and domestic staff.

Money will alway buy privilege in terms of education. If it’s not spent on private school fees it will be spent on property in the catchment of the best schools and tutoring to get into grammars. Now there’s just more competition to get into decent state schools. Parents will always do the best they can for their children; even lying to do it.

Fleeing the Titanic possibly, its not looking good is it.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/20/spies-china-schools-gchq-security-spying/i

With this and the new embassy, it doesn’t seem subtle.

https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/26245972.ruthin-school---named-one-uks-best---close/

One of the schools that I had heard was going to close. I believe it was Chinese owned.

Durham High also announced closure- owned by the same group.