Have your school shared VAT update?

[nearlylovemyusername]

Just heard from ours, total increase will be 15%. This is on the top of annual increase of 4%.
Significant number of kids moving to grammar

We have had to do that too. I don't think we will manage paying for our 2, so the youngest will need to go state. I cannot contribute to other people's children when I cannot cover my own.

Sorry to hear that, but what to do.

I’m not certain Government has considered it nor gives a sh1t tbh.

They do not give a shit. Who cares that children pay the price when they are scoring points is the attitude.

We are the chaff.. 1 child off to grammar school..

Full 20% passed on at one school 18% at the other.

Dc1 will now go to grammar for sixth form in a years time (he got place at 11+ but declined; on track to sail on through the sixth form entry even with the massive influx of private school applicants) as will dc2 (though he will need tutoring for GCSEs to get the 8/9s needed for grammar school entry).

we too have stopped donations to bursary fund and won’t donate our £3k acceptance deposit refunds to the bursary fund as we had planned to do too.

Tough on the kids who will no longer receive a bursary, but your actions are completely understandable.

You’re right @AboveBeyond3 but the VAT for the remaining years of private schooling up until end of year 11 is about £50k out of our net income which we hadn’t budgeted for, on top of fee increases (which we had budgeted for). Thankfully the four Ukrainian refugees that had been on bursaries finish next year so they’ve been assured that they can finish their schooling even though the bursary fund will be depleted.

I wouldn't characterize this (a reduction in bursaries) as an unintended consequence. Labour clearly intend to discourage people from sending their DC to private schools. I think that intention applies to families which require bursaries as well as to those which don't.

I quite understand that this is very difficult for some private school parents and children. And obviously I hope that anyone who has to leave their private school is quickly and happily settled in either a cheaper one or in a state school.

But I do find the presentation of private schools as pillars of the community and supporters of the poor/disadvantaged a little disingenuous. There are of course some private schools that make a big contribution both financially and socially. However in most schools there are very few full, or even significant bursaries and scholarships. Most are little more than tokens. And in many cases the contribution a school makes to justify its charitable status is minimal. Sometimes risible.

Agree.

Also I don't think bursaries and scholarships are all about being nice and generous.

The private school my sister works at is quite clear in its internal business planning that part of the point is getting some very bright kids in whose parents couldn't afford it who then boost the school's exam results and make it more attractive to the parents who can afford to pay.

I realise on Mumsnet everyone chooses private school for the extracurriculars and send support but IRL it's exam results and bursaries and scholarships really help

Not in my own case.

We donated because we wanted to help disadvantaged children. It would be unconscionable however, for us to ‘subsidise’ others when the government embarks on this kind of action, which, is not the last affront to many of us. Just wait for the budget.

I otherwise agree that PS are generally not pillars of the community.

@AboveBeyond3 "It would be unconscionable however, for us to ‘subsidise’ others when the government embarks on this kind of action, which, is not the last affront to many of us."

This is puzzling. You're not prepared to subsidise others unless the Government subsidises you? Or at least, doesn't ask you to pay any more tax? I understand why you might feel that way-but the word "unconscionable" suggests some sort of moral imperative.

If you want to help disadvantaged children, then pay tax surely? Or do you not get to feel like Lady Bountiful then? Or perhaps it might go to the wrong kind of Poor People?

The vast majority of Ukrainian refugees were taken in by state schools who did a great job with minimal extra income and didn’t make a song and dance about it. Because it’s not out of the ordinary for them to help any kid that pitches up.

One of our local private schools trumpets its help for the state sector, which consists of letting the odd pupil from the local selective religious school take Classical Greek at their school.

Because it’s not out of the ordinary for them to help any kid that pitches up

Because that's literally their job, although I am sure not all state school pupils think their school went above and beyond to help them. Mine certainly didn't!

Settle down, and at least try to keep your emotions under control.

It’s my money and I will spend it as I wish. You will meanwhile take what you are given and be grateful for it. Better to keep quiet and be on your way.

Just so we are clear.

We've been paying tax and had no support for SEN DC. Where did my money go to? 🤔

@AboveBeyond3 "
It’s my money and I will spend it as I wish. You will meanwhile take what you are given and be grateful for it. Better to keep quiet and be on your way"

Now that is a very odd post!

Are you sure about it? about Ukrainian refugees in particular?

I hosted a family for a while, highly educated professional mother with two DDs, 8 and 10. They were eventually given school places at one of typical sink schools - supply teaches changing all the time, no more than a couple of lessons with the same teacher, no homework, most of kids with EAL but no language or integration support etc etc. When they arrived girls were probably two years ahead of local kids (with fluent English btw), they are really behind now and they lost their learning skills.

Edited to add - we're all paying our taxes. How much more do you want to take?

Given this thread has now moved very far from its original purpose, have a look at this
Page 3 | Tax avoidance, has really changed my opinion of someone | Mumsnet

Behavioral aspects. There is always a line in taxation when people just refuse to take it anymore. This line is different for everyone, but there is always a line

Socialists.

They always want to drag you down to their level…

Behavioral aspects. There is always a line in taxation when people just refuse to take it anymore. This line is different for everyone, but there is always a line

Exactly, not enough thought to behaviour and repercussions

Seconded.

@AboveBeyond3
"Socialists.

They always want to drag you down to their level…"

Good that you're accepting Starmer's not a socialist!

Hush now.

It’s ok, it’s ok.

Fair enough. Taking the piss about a serious subject is very juvenile, but you do you.

From the poster who made a lame attempt at humour re Starmer, and then tries to gaslight me.

The subject is serious, you are not.