Anyone reconsidering independent school due to the current economic situation?

[Pollypocket81]

Just that really.
Is anyone reconsidering applying for / sending DC to an independent school given the state of the economy/increasingly rising cost of living?

We have kids already in independent and are lucky not to be very affected by the current financial situation, so no plans to change anything. I'm sure some people will have to change their plans, though. Equally, however, there might be others who are worried about the effect of austerity and budget cuts on state education, so will try to afford private if possible. Iirc previous recessions have not necessarily led to a big downturn in private education numbers.

Yes! Had always planned for private at 11+ but now seriously considering our state options. Biggest concern is mortgage rates.

I agree with @diar and think those not affected will now consider private education. My 3 are in private and they’ve been doing lots of visits this term with potential parents and these are in year transfers. I think the lack of money available to state schools and what that will mean going forwards is very concerning.

Thanks.
@diar and @NCFT0922 I hadn't thought about the downturn in the economy attracting extra parents to independent schools but it makes sense.

Hopefully Starmer will remove the charitable status tax dodge and put a whole load more parents off when the fees go up!

Not really because of current downturn, but when mine was Y5/6, I decided that because you never know what will happen, I would never send them unless I knew I had the money for all the future years. I couldn’t afford it on my salary, easily - but always feel you’re one bit of bad luck away from losing that. Sickness, redundancy, Covid, war, economic downturn…
It’s one thing to buy a nice expensive car and then have to give it up - but how do you tell a child that what is being given up is all their friends a school they love?
I’m actually surprised how many I know assume it’ll be OK… but that’s just really personally driven - I am quite risk averse!

I'm a governor at a state school and we're seeing a higher than normal number of children leave for private schools, not many but definitely noticeable.

He won’t. It wouldn’t play well.

It's in the Labour manifesto, so if (when) Labour get into government, they will definitely put VAT on private school fees. It's hard to see that that won't have an impact on the numbers applying to private schools from 2025 onwards.

@Pollypocket81 What's your situation and take on this?

Do you have any thoughts why that might be?

I think if he does, it will affect mainly those on bursaries as schools then no longer have to provide those, and they will have to cut spending to limit fees to keep those who are paying full fees and just about manage to. Private schools will also then be able to charge market rates for hire of their pools, tennis courts etc, so state schools either have to pay more or can no longer use these facilities for their pupils. All the children on bursaries will then swamp already overstretched state schools - at my dc's school, over 100 are on bursaries, there is only 1 state secondary in town, so that's 20 extra pupils per year group, almost 1 additional class. The state school couldn't cope with that. I really hope Labour is going to reconsider. If we really couldn't afford private anymore, we would probably do an online academy from home and supplement with real life music, drama and sports clubs.

Is there a Labour manifesto for an election with no date? I don’t think so, @LondonMum20222 . It’s not written yet so time to be watered down.

I don't think they could have made it much clearer that it's going to be in the manifesto!

But what exactly? Devil in the detail.

Private schools have many of the same costs as state schools, though- e.g. energy bills, staffing costs etc. Obviously some private schools have large reserves (but tbf so do some academy trusts etc.). With a state school, for all this talk of going bust, the LA has a duty to ensure the children get an education- the school wouldn't actually be allowed to fail. But some smaller private schools will face a choice between putting up fees or going under?

I get why financially comfortable parents would want to transfer away from state, but the financial health of the private school would also be a big concern for me.

Also, issues around teacher recruitment/retention are starting to impact some private schools- I'm not sure it's a problem you can buy your way out of completely.

Our local comprehensive and primary are losing pupils to the private schools. Out of 75 pupils at the primary 5 left at the end of last term to join private schools. We know 3 families who left the local comprehensive to join private schools. Our local state schools are dire. Both have poor leadership.

Well this is so interesting. The usual chorus is that people will bleed away from private schools because of increased costs. But in fact we're hearing here that that movement is being balanced by more flowing towards the sector. Presumably because of chronic underfunding in the state sector.
Would be interesting to see data on this on top of these anecdotes

Similar circumstance here; the once good academy for our catchment area is dire. Provided nothing by way of home working during lockdowns; appears not to care for truancy, homework, lack of engagement.

Those wishing for charitable status to be withdrawn need to think about wider impacts. Those who can afford private schools today may well be able to move to desirable state school catchment areas, putting pressure on those schools and local house prices.
Those additional pupils are already funded by their parents taxes into state schools, but by using those spaces, there is less money in education overall.

The idea that taxing people out of paying for education is more ‘fair’ is just ignoring the fact that the disadvantaged will slide further down the pile .

And none of the above will affect the Uber-wealthy, upper middle classes who are apparently so despised.

on the other hand, with the current economic situation as it is, I would think it obvious that there are going to be massive shortfalls and failings in the state system over the next 5-10 years due to prolonged chronic underfunding. obviously if your own employment is insecure then it might be that you can't commit to the fees but I would say this is a really bad time to put your trust in state provision being anywhere near adequate.

They should try to level up the state schools not drag everyone down! If the state schools were good enough people wouldn't use private schools. I'd like to see see Labour talk about how much more funding state schools will get. Talk to me about smaller class sizes, facilities, enrichment and making it less brutal for teachers. It's disappointing to see him go for the easy emotive win that benefits no one really. This country is already in a race to the bottom and this won't help. We have to be globally competitive.

Personally I think private schools are a massive waste of money. And i'm with Starmer - they are business not charities.

@bluejelly I wouldn't consider my kids private school as a massive waste of money. The education they continued to receive during lockdown cemented to me that we made the right decision.

I don’t think they are a waste of money but I have wondered why private schools get charity status but private nurseries generally don’t?

also, my understanding is the charity status provides a VAT rebate on some supplies. Could this not be extended to state schools?

www.gov.uk/vat-charities/what-qualifies-for-relief

None of the independent schools where I live are charities anyway so Labour's idea wouldn't make any difference to them. We've seen a big exodus to independent, I think you actually get more for your money now as the gap has widened between independent and state due to chronic underfunding.