How many kids have left the school? (VAT)

[limeandwater]

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.

The “forgotten” element in this disastrous policy are all the cooks, cleaners, groundskeepers, minibus drivers, local businesses relying on selling produce to the schools etc.

The effect of private school closures or schools laying off staff, especially in rural areas with little other employment opportunities, is causing real hardship.

Good teachers can usually find new jobs without too much trouble. It’s the situation of the “unskilled” men and women, often older, who suddenly find themselves out of work, that I find heartbreaking.

It’s like putting an extra tax on private healthcare when the NHS is already on its knees

Free education is not available to all if you have SEND that is unmet by state provision.

It’s day one for Reform and Tories and yes fees will have gone up by 9.7% just with inflation alone. Is your point that not taxing children’s education won’t help children’s education?

Our old school closed down although the group that acquired it didn't help they essentially ran it into the ground and writing was on the wall when they made no investment just vague promises so I don't solely attribute it to VAT. We were relocating anyhow. Other more established school have benefited. What is sad which people forget is it's all the ancillary staff as well. The big change as PP have mentioned is people just aren't sending their kids to prep schools now either saving up for secondary or using tutors for grammar etc.

As PP's have said, there are so many factors at play here. Businesses are struggling for various reasons. But no, my heart does not usually break for a child when they need to move schools. Especially a DC with engaged parents that will likely thrive wherever they go to school.

Exactly and also why a tax free non state alternative is was available for all children. Plurality of children’s education eh? Down with that sort of thing.

I doubt many parents really care if people’s hearts don’t break for their child having to move schools, they probably just care if people support policies that force them to move in the first place.

And to add balance, my LA has had to close 16 state schools since 2018. Sad for those children, families and staff.

The birth rate is dropping, meaning less school places are required. This is more prevalent in primary with a plateau and then decline at secondary.

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/national-pupil-projections/2025

Yet, nationally the number of schools has increased - the biggest increase being in the number of independent schools, the largest closure being state primaries.
There are 26 more schools in England in 2025 compared to 2024. This was due to increases in some phases (4 more secondary schools, 9 state-funded special schools, 1 AP school and 35 independent schools) and decreases in others (21 primary and 2 nursery schools).

https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25

Nonsense. You have a choice. Free education or fee paying education.

If I choose private school in future, I understand that it will be taxable and I find that perfectly reasonable.

I suspect many families will get through to the next break point whether or not they can really afford it, particularly for a youngest child. It won't be so obvious how many left, but less will start, unless a school closed locally and 'shares out' its pupils.

Look on the bright side, you get away with not paying VAT for hundreds of years. Because of a deliberate charity legal thing. Private schools had it very sweet for a long time. Pay your fucking taxes. Thank you.

The biggest impact will be for y7 and the following years.

I do think current students should have been excluded from the rise in VAT (my dc go to a state school- private was not an option).

What is nonsense about tax fee children’s education? It’s impossible to fathom how someone can support taxing children’s education whilst also claiming that it’s important. What are your reasons for supporting children’s education tax? Not just it’s not that bad, why do you support it?

I believe it is a luxury and a privilege and therefore warrants being taxed as such. Please now stop the aggressive questions, sometimes you do need to accept that others may not have the same viewpoint as you.

I've heard it all now, "children's education tax". ,??? Fucking nuts to suggest it's a general tax. Enjoy tomorrow's Telegraph. And fuck you and all your family.

This is typical of the ignorance around this subject and attitudes to the importance of education. Just a bit of tax free education here:
VAT was introduced in 1973, private schools have always paid it. Labour have introduced ‘education and vocational training tax on children aged 4 to 18’ meaning the child’s education itself is now taxed. It has nothing to do with charitable status

Here is a link :https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-education-and-vocational-training-notice-70130
It applies to people aged between 5 and 18, commonly referred to as children.

Our school is closing in July. 100 primary school kids uprooted. No sign of trouble pre VAT. My littlest had only just started in Reception. 😢

Children’s education is not a luxury or a privilege outside of a small pocket of undeveloped countries

Private children's education is.

For what reason does an individual paying for it rather than the tax payer turn it into a luxury?

More aggressive questioning. It is a shame you are not able to accept others having different viewpoints. I believe it is is a luxury as only those with enough money can buy it and free education is available. You can choose to believe differently and that's fine. I wish you a lovely evening.

If it was no different from the standard state package then nobody would pay for it now would they? All that "extra" - thats the luxury.

It’s not aggressive, it’s just that your viewpoint doesn’t stand up to any scrutiny and you are not used to be challenged.
So your definition of a luxury is something only people who can afford it can buy it? Would you like less children to be able to afford an independent education choice or more children ?