List of private school closures since VAT and NI changes

[BlueBadgers]

Is there a list of private schools which have closed since the VAT and NI changes came in?

There have been three near me in Yorkshire - Fulneck, Queen Margarets and Moorlands - which seems like a lot of affected children and teachers.

I'm wondering how this is playing out in the rest of the country.

I think there needs to be a caveat to any such list, as to how many were already reporting financial difficulties…

… so many of the schools that have closed have had dwindling pupil numbers or been looking for a buyer for years.

This is what google told me - if they cannot run a business, then its right that it should pay VAT and close if they cannot make a profit

12 Private schools shutting down over Labour’s VAT

Is Labour’s VAT policy forcing private schools to shut down?
At least a dozen schools have cited Labour’s tax policy as the reason for their shutdown, with many others having ceased operations since the policy was seriously considered.
From January 1, private school fees have been hit with a 20% VAT, following the policy’s enforcement.
Official figures reveal that 77 private and specialist schools in England have shut their doors since Labour confirmed plans to impose VAT on school fees in its first year in power.

I agree that they were probably struggling anyway, but do think the changes probably tipped the balance.

This isn't meant as a debate on the principles of the policy; it was a genuine enquiry as to whether there's a list somewhere.

If not, it would be interesting for people to list the schools closing near them.

Google saying there are 12 doesn't feel right to me if there are 3 within a 30 mile radius of me. (Edit: I see they say at least a dozen then say 77 which is a big difference!)

If you join the Education not Taxation group on Facebook you can see the spreadsheet they maintain. As of yesterday the total is 32 closures.

A local school to me closed recently but I know they were in financially difficulty for a few years. Falling rolls are also hitting private schools. Not sure how you can separate what is VAT as opposed to increases in fees over the years, fewer dc etc?

How many normally close each year?

Interested in how many

This is an interesting (I thought!) article on some of the challenges for private schools.

https://www.penningtonslaw.com/news-publications/latest-news/2025/unveiling-the-hidden-fault-lines-how-vat-exposes-deeper-financial-vulnerabilities-in-private-schools

They are plenty of state primary schools closing down in London - attributed to a drop in the birth rate leading to falling rolls, as well as young families unable to afford to live in London.
Just because a private school closes doesn't mean it's to do with VAT changes. There could be many demographic changes behind it or it could have been somewhere struggling for years.

In that quote, Google says 77 have closed since Labour confirmed their plan, but only 12 have cited the tax changes as the reason for closing.

I have no idea, but I could name four state primaries in my borough who have closed or are closing next month. Falling birth-rate and people moving out of London (due to cost and WFH) are the reasons given, plus the schools were not as popular as other local schools that are full. Popular, successful schools, who get good results, will always flourish regardless of external factors.

I also think there are probably a lot of parents who historically you may have expected to use private prep schools… who just now aren’t as the cost is so high, even without VAT.

I live in an area where a high % of pupils are privately educated and I can count on one hand the number I know in private prep schools, even where the parents have high flying jobs. The mortgage on a family home usually takes up most of their income!

Fair point, it's very normal now for high earners to use state primary.

I agree, our 2nd closest has closed but appeared to have been struggling, our closest has expanded which was planned prior to the election due to increased demand which has been needed even more since the closure of the other school. The children don't seem to have left to go into state schools they have been moving to other private schools so I have a question about whether the VAT change is a genuine reason, but I get that any closure is likely to be a mix of factors. Really sad for staff.

I would think there’s also a spiral effect - imagine you’re sending your kids to a school so they can interact with others who can pay for schooling and in order to avoid the local plebs….but then you realise that many of those people are now choosing state… well then that benefit goes and you might as well go state too.

For those of you who will jump on this comment to state this isn’t the point of private education, please look at the government and then tell me that jobs/contracts for the culture doesn’t exist.

For those of you who will get a bit upset at my description of kids going to state school, it’s sarcasm!

I asked Chat GPT for permanent state school closures in 2024-2025 and it found the following:

Monkseaton High confirmed (August 2026 closure)

Colegate Primary (Gateshead) in consultation, closure Sept 2025 planned

Isle of Wight council issues notices to 5 primary schools to close Aug 2025

I'm sure others are being consulted on but that's all I can find that's definitely happening in the 2024-2025 period (and Monkseaton High doesn't close till 2026)

St Anne's Wandsworth, St Mary Magdalene Peckham, Charlotte Sharman in Southwark are all state primaries closing in London.

That is definitely wrong, can’t be bothered to google names but state primaries often close due to falling rolls, usually at least one a year in Yorkshire, and carlton high ( state secondary) is closing this year.

St Mary's infant school near Guildford, Surrey to make decision on 7 July whether to close 31 August (I don't see how they will say anything but closure given the consultation and numbers of children left on roll but let's wait and see).

It's no good asking Chat GPT for this information, it has a knowledge cutoff and after that it's just making shit up or linking to news articles and hoping for the best.
Would be interested in a proper answer though. The 32 cited upthread is probably most accurate so far.

I think this list of closures and mergers is quite comprehensive just not updated for Moorlands yet because it's only just been announced

https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/bursars-finance/private-school-closures-how-many-uk-independent-school-closures-2025/

If you look at the pupil numbers, most of the schools closing had under 200 pupils and a lot were around or even under 100. I think small schools are becoming economically unviable.

It is poor that they are announcing closures for the end of this term in June - it doesn't leave very long to find a new school for September.

Two more state primaries - Highbury Quadrant and St Jude and St Paul's, this time in Islington, closing at the end of August. https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/school-closures-parents-told-theyll-get-just-30-for-pupils-new-uniforms

Closures or mergers of six primaries in Haclney at the end of the year
https://education.hackney.gov.uk/content/school-organisation-changes-2025

I asked Chat GPT for permanent state school closures in 2024-2025 and it found the following:

And this is why you can't trust chat GPT...

https://www.holyfamilycarlton.org/closure-information/ secondary school in Yorkshire, closing August 2025.