Will private senior schools struggle with admissions?

[Jetset78]

Given the current recession and poor economic outlook, what are your thoughts on whether independent schools are going struggle getting sufficient pupil numbers?

So many parents, who run their own business or earn a decent salary, must be heavily impacted by the current situation. Do you think that the numbers of children in independence schools will significantly reduce over the next few years?

Will the big oversubscribed schools start loosening their admissions criteria to make up the numbers?

What about the traditional boarding schools like Wellington, Radley, Eton etc that heavily rely on overseas money to fill their boarding houses. What will they do to plug the numbers if the boarders don’t return?

Will it become a buyers market for parents?

Our school has more kids, both in the prep, Year 9 and the sixth form. I have heard that enquires for years 4 to 8 were up by 30% on last year. Year 9 intake is significantly larger than the last few years

I agree that we haven't felt the full impact of job losses yet, but there has been a big surge in people leaving London and moving to areas that will allow WFH with some time in the office.

I also think inheritance money is being tapped into before Rishi snatches it. A number of Year 12 have paid for two years upfront!