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.

This is a pretty comprehensive overview - seems to be updated regularly too (Moorland and others are included).
https://www.getamplified.org/private-school-closure-due-to-vat

Hi all,
I’m currently working with special needs providers, helping them find suitable sites around the country. At the moment, I’ve got a list of 38 non-state schools that have either recently closed or are due to shut this summer, along with a similar number of state schools.
If anyone knows of any other schools that are closing in their area, I’d really appreciate the heads-up. There’s a huge demand for more special needs provision across the country, and we’re trying to make sure as many of these soon-to-be-vacant schools as possible can stay in use for the community — rather than being lost to residential development or sitting empty.
Thanks in advance!

Do you have the name of this school please?

Around 50 state schools close each year. I agree that many private schools and falling numbers and financial difficulties before the VAT ruling. Dame Allyns in Newcastle now pays its teachers an appallingly low pension contribution to save money and this was before the VAT ruling. It had enough money to expand it’s sporting facilities though 🙄

Oh, here's another one of the state ones for the pp above: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25266480.st-josephs-school-welcome-past-pupils-ahead-closure/

Bishop Challenor in Bromley has been operating at a loss since 2020, but is blaming VAT for their closure.

www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/25252456.bishop-challoner-school-bromley-financial-losses-revealed/

We’re increasingly seeing schools prioritise profit by phasing out experienced (and higher-paid) teachers in favour of younger, cheaper staff. Maintaining margins and limiting fee increases. This often comes at the cost of teaching quality.

Parents (and the school) end up relying on private tuition which doesnt always work of course so the school 'quietly' manage out the child. A vile, cowardly and normalised practice that is sadly harmful to the child.

Not in our school. Would seem like a very strange approach if they want to retain/attract children.

Arrogance is frequently loudest among the least informed.

PPs have mentioned 32 - for context how many independent schools are there, around 2500?

Another caveat is how many schools have been bought up by large education groups (of mainly overseas shareholders). These schools are closed and children moved to other schools in the group, with the building/land being sold off further down the line. Schools closing is not as simple as it all being down to VAT.

Yes, lots of state schools closing in London. 5 more being forced to downsize to 2 in Westminster. I imagine NI, pensions, pay rises and a falling birth rate is as relevant in the private sector just as they are in the state.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8my7jrrjpo#:~:text=Five%20primary%20schools%20in%20Westminster,St%20John's%20Wood%20Primary%20School.

Goodness that's charming. Fortunately am very well informed.

[IRONY KLAXON!!!]

I’m aware of some boarding schools near me now accepting day pupils for he first time ever, so perhaps that is linked?