Whitehall “braced for private schools collapse” 4

[ICouldBeVioletSky]

Continuing the discussion about the impact of VAT on independent schools…

Me too.
In fact was taught to for A level and always remember Ann Widdicombe saying she read a broad range of newspapers each day to help get a more rounded view of the world + policies etc.
To only accept 1 source as 'legitimate' is exceedingly narrow minded

If that is directed at me, you are totally wrong. It's just a right-wing comic.

Starmer’s wife went to Channing as well.
If Reeves, the Respondent, loses in court, some die hards may well blame it on the Government KC’s having some sort of ingrained pro private school bias. They should have found at least a couple of state educated KCs, I agree.

Who knows what Pannick KC is charging? He may have reduced his rate if he considers it a matter of public importance. Taxing education is a matter of public importance.

There is one acceptable source of news and one acceptable source of education.

Questioning acceptable news and education is just sooo bourgeois and the sign of a far right bot.

That's a bit of a leap. Who is only considering one source because they are discounting Guido?!

I clearly wasn't referring to what Pannick was charging for this case but rather his reported general hourly rate.

Let's just say it's faintly ridiculous to discount FACTS because you are being pearl-clutchy about the publication.

Hardly pearl clutchy. You can read a variety of sources and still be discerning about their quality. A flavour of the founder of Guido Fawkes.

"At university in Hull in the 1980s he was a member of the Federation of Conservative Students, an organisation so right-wing that it was disbanded by Mrs Thatcher. “I never wore a ‘Hang Mandela’ badge, but I hung out with people who did …” he once said."

Okay with that?

I'm reading his website, not marrying the guy. Why on earth would I have a problem with it?

I mean, we all watched Huw Edwards announce the death of the Queen. Should we never turn on the BBC again?

Up to you what you choose to read and quote. Up to me if I consider it a source that is not worthy of quoting.

People can make their own minds up as to whether they find the private schooling of the government’s KCs to be shocking/ironic/whatever.

It will have zero impact on the case itself - none. It will be of no interest to the judge and will make no difference to how forcefully the
KCs advance the government’s arguments.

They can make up their mind but I find it odd that it is a focal point.

I agree that it will have zero impact on the case itself. The KCs are professionals and will treat the case impartially. The judge won't give a hoot whether they went to Grange Hill or Eton.

I agree with you (for once!) that it’s an odd focal point.

I find it as uninteresting as it is unsurprising.

Yes agreement for once! I know many London KCs (including DH) and private ed is the norm.

Nobody is arguing that it will make a difference to the substantive outcome of the judicial review. However, given the VAT on private schools is in itself entirely politically motivated, you would think the politicians who decided to do this VAT, would consider how it looks, in the media, choosing KCs from a private school background. It does not stack up, politically speaking.

Yet another school closure announced this morning! That's now 24 and yet supporters still claim it had nothing to do with VAT! Labour refuse to engage, review the impact or collect data!

The mismanaged one that had JCQ withdraw authorisation to enter kids for exams?

“Labour refuse to engage, review the impact or collect data!”

Labour are digging their head in the sand. At the very least they should be VERY CLOSELY tracking the state Sixth Form applications this year.
1500 applications for 60 places in my local highly sought after school, just an example. It is even more for the other grammar. It has gone completely nuts on the Sixth Form front and they need to have a plan.

Are there even enough A level places for this year's Y11?

DD's school massively oversubscribed - only 160 places for internal students (450 in her year) and 40 for external. They've raised the acceptance grades this year.

I don’t know @OhCrumbsWhereNow and I am really cross on behalf of all year 11s who already had their year 6/7 transition utterly ruined by Covid. Can’t believe this may be happening to some of them again!

So bad.

Given Reeves approach at spring statement it’s just blast untruths, ignore and blame everyone else.

Labour don’t care. Didn’t you see what they did to the winter fuel allowance. Reeves needs to go. She lied on her CV. She is inept.

This one?

Closing tomorrow.

What happens to the poor kids sitting exams?

www.lep.co.uk/news/heartbreak-as-ps33000-a-year-lancashire-private-school-closes-down-with-two-days-notice-to-pupils-5054783

"Our Year 11 students, parents and school have been left without support in a highly stressed and anxious state. Fortunately, our friends at Westholme have acted with class, responsibility, integrity and care, which is more than can be said from the very authorities with regulatory and contractual responsibilities of duties of care for young men and women. There inactions, policies and responses have shown no concern or worry for children's futures and mental health. Indeed, my own son is in the Year 11 cohort and so we are and have been as equally affected, and as equally desperate to resolve the situation for our Moorland Family."

One in my area going in September, 300 children
Quite a few SEN paid for by local Council. Other Private schools are trying to help but the funding won't transfer outside the LEA