FT: Demand grows for private tutoring after VAT charge on independent schools

[nearlylovemyusername]

https://www.ft.com/content/300f07df-0126-46be-8470-544223cb7c35

Some extracts:

"Britain’s elite tutoring agencies have seen a boom in business from parents seeking alternatives to private school, a year after VAT was imposed on independent school fees. Top-end private tutors said they had witnessed demand shifting away from preparation for independent school entrance exams, as more families focus on securing places at competitive state and grammar schools."

"Lessons costing more than £60 an hour in subjects including maths, English and languages have risen by 56 per cent since 2022, and by 27 per cent since 2023, according to the data shared with the Financial Times.

Initially, parents were “aiming for independent schools and might have a grammar as a safety or backup”, but he added, for those affected by the VAT changes “it’s shifted completely the other way”."

"Nick Harrison, CEO of the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity, raised concerns that a rise in private tutoring risks exacerbating inequalities in education. "

Surprise surprise...

Who could've thought that VAT will lead to wealthier families pushing out poorer ones out of grammars and best selective schools, whilst saving them substantial amounts to help kids with housing deposits instead spending on school fees.
And the same wealthier kids don't hold a tag of private education anymore so can't be discriminated by unis.

Win win for wealthy

Just jumping on this thread to make a point I’ve made before - to those arguing the VAT policy doesn’t make a difference to state school places, I would say in my area (London suburb), it absolutely does.

Lots of kids from my DC’s private school hanging on until post GCSE and then opting for the excellent state/grammar schools at sixth form. For the competitive grammars who base admissions around entrance exams or gcse results, the private school kids of course have an advantage.

So - they are taking up places in the state system when they may well have stayed put before. Equally, I know a fair few families who spent ££££ manically tutoring kids in academics or music to get the coveted 11plus places, whereas 20 years ago they would have gone for private.

all in, this results in less state places for the majority of families who can’t afford private school OR tutoring! This policy isn’t good for anyone.