To think parents of private education school children will be fine

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I’ve seen lots of threads on this topic recently. It would be great to have it’s own section so those who want to chat about it with fellow parents , can without an argument.

But private school parents and their children!! We will be just fine. There’s so much smugness and bitterness and hate coming from people who think it’s great the VAT will be added and force some out. In fact I don’t disagree - add VAT on ! Great, and then we can take either our state places up … win win we have more money to spend on holidays, deposits for houses for our kids, private tutors, extra cirricular activities etc and we can probably move to better areas with the outstanding state schools or OR we pay it it we can afford to keep our children there.

On some of the independent school committees they are working out how to charge the fees differently so the actual fees we will pay 20% on are low and the rest of the money is on stuff that’s exempt from VAT. They are also looking at changing the nature of the schools so the children get their state education allowance and then pay extras on top- like you would nursery extras.

The chance of labour implementing it is low. There are solicitors looking at it now and whether they can change the law to allow it.

So either way we’re not in a bad position - as most of the threads argue we are the wealthiest in The UK- some can’t afford food bills etc so we are incredibly lucky to have choice and it is true we must have money to
even contemplate spending £25k on each child in school.

Not quite sure what the point of this thread is, or what makes it special compared to all the others. But your comment about how private schools are scheming to find a way round the tax tells you a lot about these ‘charitable’ institutions…

lol 😂 I do like this thread . Guessing it’s a joke to wind people up. I don’t disagree though - it will all be fine either way . And yes , if children leave their school parents can spend the money on other nice things instead, so either way it’s not an awful position to be in!

I’m not in the position for this to affect me (no kids in private school)… but I do worry about a few people I know who don’t have a massive disposable income or aren’t really wealthy, but have scrimped and gone without to just about afford to send their kids when circumstances dictated (terrible school experience so had to find an alternative etc). The 20% will make it impossible. Feels really unfair on them.

We will be fine too. If we couldn't affford an extra couple of hundred £ a month then we probably can't really afford Private school anyway - in any case we only have 1 year left. We would rather fees didn't go up but I am not going to whinge about it
I really do hope that any if any extra money IS raised from VAT on fees it is ring fenced to help State schools.
Our school isnt a charity by the way.

And you wonder why its such a contentious topic.
For the record I can afford to send my children to Private school but I shudder at the thought that they would have to be surrounded by the offspring of such entitled arseholes.

Sneaky way to put across the point that social inequality will continue by different means. I agree with you so I’m just here for the rabid ranting 😜

I agree with you! We aren’t entitled to the VAT so add it on. That’s exactly what I’m saying , we don’t have an entitlement. Add it on and also to private healthcare, nurseries and universities. Let’s get rid of the entitlement and live in the real world! Stop moaning and either stay at the school because you can afford it or move to a state - sorted ✌️😎

OP has it occurred to you that many parents at state schools already have money to spend on holidays, deposits for houses for our kids, private tutors, extra curricular activities etc - we're not all rubbing our two pennies together you know (and that's just at the comprehensives, if you go to the grammars many parents are very wealthy). I don't think anyone has an issue with your child taking up a space in a state school and you may be surprised that you are not in some wealth league of your own!!

Tbh I agree, individuals will be fine (and are - our DD goes to a private school and we will just find the extra money)

The issue is the £60 million that local authorities will need to find since nearly 20,000 SEN pupils are in Independant schools as they’re not able to remain in mainstream education for a myriad of reasons.

The policy will cost more than it ‘makes’

In addition to this it also means all education is impacted. That’s holiday clubs, after school clubs etc.

I think this is what the OP is trying to do 😆 I think it’s a jokey post tbh! I’ll get the popcorn 🍿

Nah I send my 13 kids to the local failing comp and spend my money on huge cars, fancy holidays, takeaways and wine - I'm winning

I didn’t think we were but I was reading posts today saying we are very wealthy and most will just be able to pay the 20% so they must be correct- we need to suck it up and move on! I agree with them we are extremely wealthy , I don’t have to worry about buying food or turning lights on- so no need to get upset over some posts ranting on saying we are wealthy- I fully agree! That money we earn is still going to spent on something other than basics either way school or champagne I see it as 🤣 . We are privileged. Whether that’s by being able to afford it or moving to state and using the money elsewhere

I sent my DC Private so they could avoid the offspring of lower class oiks

This has made me laugh so much…. Some happily complain and call us names so hilarious to be honest and say it back … bravo darling bravo 👏

Also I thoroughly begrudge it when people say we all work hard. I’m a prime example that that is not the case. I work in a government level job , and do a very mediocre job at best- yes I get up each day and do the school run, go to work (put in minimal effort in wherever possible) and go home and do the house and tea. My husband however is a CEO and he works much harder and more hours than me - he flies round the world working, taking phone calls all hours of the day- sleeps for 5 hours a night and missed out on a lot so he definitely earns his salary compared to my lazy half arsed self 🤣

I mean at least you’re honest 👀

To be fair there will be a lot of money spare for tutoring if private school parents go to state.

It will be two tier eduction.
Many parents in state have to tutor anyway

DH and I had a discussion on whether we’d remove DC and put into state. We can afford the uplift but the whole furore got us thinking ‘what if’?

We put DC in private simply because they got in and we could afford it, but we’d be saving £££ if we took them out. This could be used as a housing deposit for them. We’re looking at the highly rated schools in the area to transfer DC to. We figured we can pay tutoring on top of required. Kind of hoping other PS parents aren’t thinking along our lines as I’m sure the cost of tutors will increase if they demand goes up.

Ah at last…a private school parent who is actually honest about why they really choose it. We already knew the cuntish reasons and vile bigoted values being modelled to the poor kids but glad at least some of you are owning it. Well done.

Exactly my point- I have 3 children in private schools. Jokes aside from this post- Im questioning whether we want to spend it. Made us think differently- There are outstanding and lovely Grammar schools near us and then we can use the money elsewhere . Some parents at our school will move their kids abroad , mainly the armed forces and those who work internationally and their children board. Others have said they will move to state as they are great schools and they didn’t choose them because of prestige but rather the wrap around they gave so the parents could hold down their jobs. We chatted and some said they’re happy to leave their job and do the school runs instead at state schools as they can no longer continue working. The only ones I’m sad for is 2 are consultants at the hospital and use flexi boarding for their children so they can do their shifts overnight. They will need to pull their children out as they will no longer afford and of them one said they will take very early retirement so in effect losing a well skilled NHS doctor in the process.

Glad you and your ilk will be okay, OP. I actually agree with you on this.
We use state school and do have enough money for everything else so also lucky.
Nice to see some parents happy to pay the VAT.

‘ The only ones I’m sad for is 2 are consultants at the hospital’ - ah yes, consultants. Famously some of the most salt of the earth, WC and poorly paid people you’ll ever meet.
I too would just jack in a career that took 15 + years of study and specialist training to do to prove a point, become a SAHP, not adapt my position, hours, or role at all in any way shape or form,
just walk.

all institutions and individuals minimise their tax bills, within the confines of the law

entire departments are dedicated to this kind of work

Do we really need another thread on this? Yes, many parents and children will be fine. But the ones that won't be OK aren't going to feel any better because some stranger on mumsnet tells them to stop worrying and think about people who can't afford rent! If it wasn't important to them they wouldn't be sending their children to a school they can't really afford. Try minding your own business.

This is a lovely message- half of mine were jokes because I do think some of the posts I’ve seen are ridiculous- they come across as entitled and showing off. We owe the money, we should pay the VAT. Yes we make choices to pay for education but when people say they don’t go on holiday or have new cars- so what- people who don’t pay for schools still don’t have these. Half my messages are joking at how ridiculous some sound. I do appreciate those who can’t afford and have children who need their for SEN needs etc but I don’t doubt that will be sorted for them as it’s being discussed now and I don’t think it’ll be 20% added , it’ll be fought in court. I think state schools do need money , I don’t think the policy will raise the money they want, but improving state education is a must. Sometimes we need to think we’re lucky , I work with people who have nothing and complaining our already optional fees are going up , doesn’t sit well with me!