AIBU to question rising private school fees amid declining GCSE results

[Sidedoors]

Private school GCSE decline.

What happened? Is this an example of what’s to come?

Fees are rising well beyond inflation annually yet, results are in decline.

State schools prioritising, ‘reserving seats’ in house for 6th Form. Risky investment?

https://schoolsweek.co.uk/gcse-results-day-2026-6-key-trends-from-this-years-data/

The fact they consider private schools not paying VAT was ‘unfair’ shows you what they really thought of private schools.

They don’t (yet) say children’s shoes benefit from an unfair tax break, or that supermarkets use a loophole to avoid paying VAT on bread.

When those fish pies and cheesecakes go…… (which they will already the reduced F&B options are in place).

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/child-private-school-state-depressing-difference-4726844?srsltid=AfmBOorKRtnraUiqrdOEB25qFoQHoYcv1IJ8o82PPyKvZIXXr6G45Z7H

The education comparison; selective independent/good state is exactly the same.

One costs £250k per child the other is Free.

Save that money for family enrichment, family holidays, family time. Family investment.

More and more families all with the same findings.

What cash injection? As @Araminta1004 this is likely to cost money rather than add to state budgets.

state schools are definitely not improving from what I can tell - fewer teachers not more as promised, and most state school heads expect to need to do cost cutting over the next year. And the proposed send policies are diabolical - if anything that alone likely to push some parents to stretch for private.

i would LOVE to see state doing better, but if anything I see the gap between state and private widening as the Indy sector consolidates. Consistently it has been the no frills, more afffordable private schools that are just a bit better than state which have closed, while the more prestigious / ‘luxurious’ schools are doing just fine.

I can assure you they’re not.

imagine the headache of navigating the tiered fee structure!

There is simply not the wealth in regional independents to meet the Fees + hikes. Relying on the Middle class as your main bread and butter yet, increasingly priced out.

The return on investment is just no longer there. It’s not worthwhile. When a couple leave they normalise the transition, others follow and they all go on to enjoy their new found disposable monies (with their own families). Snowball effect.

Not sure what to tell you - my dc school (regional - very far from London) has increased pupil numbers this year and have had a really strong intake for next. They have the highest fees in the region, and focus on breadth and quality of experience - if anything they have expanded extracurriculars (delivered at no additional cost) rather than cut back. Clearly their strategy is to focus on families that are less price sensitive and want the best education available- so far it seems to be working.

a number of families have been priced out of private entirely in our region, but for those that have not there seems to be a willingness to pay a few grand more for the better school.

Recollections may vary.

It will be down to every individual family to read school communication, look at factual evidence such as the CEO of independent schools themselves testifying that 1 in 3, one third are on assistance.

How fabulous for you, of course we only have your word for that.

Schools with children in transition years or exam years will not just offload families out priced due to VAT.

Every family will study school communication, school provision standard and most importantly the annual financial accounts.

That is where the evidence the data is held not anonymous comments on Mumsnet.

Do you need to reread and edit this for clarity?

I can speak to my own experience at one school - believe it or don”t. I guess it is uncomfortable for you when people have experiences outside this bizarre narrative.

The data, The facts are from the CEO of the ISC I know which I choose to believe!

https://www.isc.co.uk/media-enquiries/news-press-releases-statements/independent-schools-facing-incredibly-difficult-financial-headwinds-warns-isc-ceo/

One third.

Yes, as a sector it is a challenging context - BUT within the sector there is a real range of schools experiencing very different dynamics. A number of schools are clearly struggling- evidenced by the uptick in closures (which Labour claimed wouldn’t happen btw), but there are also some schools that are very much coming out ahead. While many schools need to rethink their business model, private education isn’t going away anytime soon.

and an increase in the number of students getting discounts isn’t really an indicator one way or another. For some schools it may be a sign of decreasing margins (and cause for concern), but in other schools it might be part of a bigger strategy - just look at how American universities use grants as part of a larger recruitment strategy (recruiting for talent that boosts prestige as well as high net worth or other influential individuals who will support the school beyond simply paying fees)

I need a car to get around. I could spend £80,000 on one or I could get one for £8,000 second hand. Some people would choose the £80,000 car and I would choose the £8,000 car. I don’t care about cars. Equally some people are happy to stay in hostels and rough it whilst travelling but I like a nice luxury hotel. Hostels and hotels both provide a place to sleep. We all spend money to suit our own preferences. You don’t want to pay for your child’s education but others prefer what an independent education provides. Your money, your choice, your prerogative, indeed.

Your problem is you don’t want it/probably can’t afford it so you don’t want anyone else to have it either, just in case your child misses out on what your friends’ children are getting. Have the courage of your convictions and use state education. 93% of people do, so you won’t be on your own, but equally a significant number will continue to use private schools even if you don’t.

The only way all my circle are getting back to their 5* hotels and luxury cars is to drop the school fees (which have been economising and cutting back trips cancelled, we’re talking about local trips not international!, staff ‘covering’ co curriculars. All the last minute cancellations.

Independent schools have been living beyond their means for over a decade, they were not prepared for the VAT.

Perhaps there are some schools entirely unaffected (that goes against the ISC official data) but, let’s just imagine it’s true.

There are many, many more situations where they are receiving the constant desperate school communication where the provision has been cut to the bone. Families sharing and circulating communication. That’s just reality.

So you do you,

Allow everyone else to question the school standards, annual financial accounts and annual fee hikes.

Those 1/3, one third, one in 3 on financial assistance The ever growing “hardship fund” are not allowed to have new cars or holidays or that makes them excluded from financial support criteria.

People are living in poverty, hardship AT independent school. Read the data from YOUR OWN representatives.

The ones consolidating STILL have hardship funds, I can promise you that!! They have staff with kids who absolutely cannot afford to be there in this climate. Some selective up to 50% of the year groups! These are financial perks you can “hide” when the school is flush but the moment anything happens it stands out like a sore thumb.

Families in non transition years or exam years who can no longer meet their fees (all requiring additional financial support) These are some of the top top schools using the “broad shoulders” communication.

At the other end those schools who know very well their finances are dire, such little care and respect for students and families that they tell them all is well (these places are businesses, PR, they don’t tell the truth they do what is best for them, their own best interest-not families) leaving families high and dry a week before school return! You cannot believe a word ANY of these businesses say!

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/private-school-not-reopen-current-040000786.html

Why is a hardship fund a bad thing?

I doubt you care as you seem intent on harassing everyone, but it does seem to be only you who is 'question(ing) the school standards, annual financial accounts and annual fee hikes.' The rest of us did our due diligence and happy to continue with our chosen schools for our children, beit private or state.

Ask the people making sacrifices to meet their full fees!!!!! Annual fee hikes to pay for it. What a ridiculous question.

The problem with independent school is that it’s not monitored, all financial decisions are entirely to their own discretion (they seem to be incredibly generous towards themselves!)

Again, deep dive into all bursary, discounts and the direction of those figures in annual accounts over the coming years, after all, that’s Fee money being used not for provision but hardship benefits. To keep kids who can’t afford to be there on the roll at your expense.

Really, they come out happier and richer??

Well, quite. People choose how to spend their money if there is no longer enough money to pay for everything. Some of those people will pay for school fees and drop the luxury cars and some won’t. You do you and accept that all your ranting isn’t going to lead to everyone doing the same as you. Make your choice and understand that you won’t have the security of all your friends making the same decision.

@helenafalco The word was “enriched”. Not richer in a monetary sense. I don’t entirely agree they are happier - mine were privately educated and I did not necessarily see that. However they did all sorts of activities and enjoyed school. From what I saw, other dc at state schools did too but those were good schools. If you are not in a great school area, you are going to see a difference. Enrichment for dc was having inspiring visitors to dchool, lots of clubs, amazing theatre and performing opportunities , great music and sport facilities. Plus some amazing staff. There was fun and a chance to be themselves.

Throwing money at it doesn't automatically mean your entitled to good grades? That's up to your kid not how much you spent

OP is worried about her child having to slum it with the regular kids 😂

@SidedoorsI’ll ask again, what exactly do you want to happen?

As these threads have progressed, I have become more convinced OP does actually have a child in private school, and may not even have a child at all, but is trying to sow resentment amongst those with children at private school.

There’s a paradox here let me explain,

Most know academia doesn’t pay,

Those who dedicate their lives to teaching know it’s not well paid whether school or uni. The pursuit of higher education comes, often with great student debt.

Often teachers, professors even can be working whilst still paying off student loans.

It’s the “academics” or those who believe they’re of superior education who will often correct on mumsnet. They can be entitled and obnoxious. The problem is more often than not these “academics” have chosen to teach not do. They often lack the funds or the finance to pay for these institutions.

More often than not a humble business owner perhaps with basic education will be financially superior as they chose to DO, not teach.

Theres a society of old school “academics” holding onto these independent institutions with a vice like grip yet, They cannot afford them.

We’re moving into a technological era where education is open to all for low cost. Education is increasingly not only for high society, it’s accessible, universal.

There is poverty within independent education just as there is wealth within state school.

Your own independent articles and data are testament to that Fact. The world has changed and it is private school being left behind, drowning in debt and financial burden.