Impact from VAT on private school fees

[HoneyB2025]

Do you know anyone who has moved their DS or DD out of independent school to state due to the new VAT on private school fees?

@tortoise18 I hear some schools managed this by absorbing some of the VAT increase, so therefore maybe increased the fees by a certain % slightly lower than the 20%.

We've actually seen the opposite at our prep - people moving into the school from state - on the basis that our 11+ pass rate is really high - I think people are trying to avoid the far more expensive private secondary fees. We had far more going to state after year 6 this year.

That's always been a thing in my area although they do boot children out for underperforming at 7+ so that's a risk.

There's also the impact that people might not be aware of like the fact some schools have stopped (at least temporarily) things like bursaries to make sure they can still offer bursaries to those already on them for the rest of their education as the school are now also paying the vat on the (reduced) fees for the parents. This means no new bursaries can be offered so children who would normally be able to go private with help, now taking up state places instead, being paid for by the government.

Numbers of children like this won't be included in the stats of those 'leaving' private for state either.

Seriously? Strong racial undertone here.

Yes - my daughter is in a private 6th form for her SEN needs and several kids left during their yr12 year after VAT was announced.

Another school closure just announced. Military heavy school. Thats the 4th since Jan 1st

Four in the last week? Whereabouts are they? I heard of one but it had substantial losses for a few years already.

I know of 2 - Maidwell Hall (big shock to me as Uppingham have only just taken them on but apparently it's not that surprising) and one in Loughborough.

Has your DC moved to another school yet?

Not yet - one full terms notice is required.

DH was also made redundant - his job is going to be done by AI (he works for a mega multinational).

Feels Bleak.

I am not from England and am still completely baffled by a system that can just say oh yes all the schools are full so you don't get a place.

This isn’t what happens in England. You will get a place, it might not be nearby, or the one you want.

School day they will inform LA so I guess I’ll liaise with them when the time gets a bit closer.

The LA can’t take instruction on an application from anyone but the parent. I would start applying and going on waiting lists now.

Parents are generally very reluctant to take their children out of private school once they have started.

https://x.com/SchoolsWeek/status/1890285343670186014?t=2cgEm6XbpUc44SueOmsRVA&s=19

State schools can't afford to run the "free" breakfast clubs

Pulled our DD out of private after GCSE to go to state for 6th form.

To this day I regret that decision.

They were, until they were hit by an additional 20% tax! Now, they are a lot less reluctant hence the numbers leaving

Really stupid question (sorry), I've looked through our school paperwork and contract and it's not clear: To whom would we address our letter giving notice of withdrawing DC? Headteacher? Bursar?

Just email both. That’s what I did.

I now know of 2 private schools who are entering redundancy exercises. One is a serious exercise of 20+ staff and the other is a softer exercise where redundancy is currently being offered on a voluntary basis. Subjects will be cut from the curriculum, class sizes will increase and already overworked teachers will be getting more lessons in the timetable. This information is straight from teachers I know in these schools. Neither school has been in the news or anything like that. One is seriously fighting for survival, the other will survive based on getting in more students from overseas.

It’s not to take instruction - it’s so the LA know DC won’t be being educated by them after Easter/July (haven’t decided which yet).

Our LA doesn’t operated a waiting list type system for in year admissions. It’s a bit more hit and miss. I’ve posted about it before on MN & been shot down in flames/told I’m wrong/told that’s now it works etc. So I’m reluctant to post about it again as I genuinely felt like I was going mad or being accused of fabricating LA policies.

But it's true. Rich families don't seem to care and a lot of schools are business as usual.

I bet a lot of couples will break up over the decision of whether to take children out of private school due to increased cost.

Divorce would make fees less affordable…

That's interesting because it is certainly having a negative impact on relationship with DH!