Read this an tell me you still agree with VAT on school fees

[Sally20099]

DS is 3 years from finishing private school which includes 2 years in the sixth form. DD was due to start same senior school in Sept. Both went to private prep but due to talk of VAT on fees, and certainty of Labour govt for some time, we actually investigated sending DD to state secondary school. Only one in the entire city is rated outstanding but DD has got a place so we have decided to send her there. It’s very good academically but obviously hasn’t got the facilities of the private option. Currently school fees are £19,300 per year (before VAT) for DS so we have saved a reasonable sum by going to state school with DD. DS will finish at his school and we could afford DD fees (even with VAT) so we will instead put £12k a year extra in savings for DD and then spend the rest of the savings on an extra winter holiday. We would have never looked at state schools without the VAT policy and instead we have taken the place of someone at an outstanding rated school. Im not posting to annoy anyone, I wanted those who unequivocally support this to see some of the consequences. We also know a reasonable number of children in DS year who can’t afford fees with VAT and are taking their children out of private and going into state - and taking more places at the limited good schools. Its probably no surprise that most families in private schools happen to also live in good areas, meaning catchment areas tend to work out quite well when they go state.

DS will finish at his school and we could afford DD fees (even with VAT)

I don't understand - you can afford the fees, but instead are sending your DD to a school you consider less good than the one you sent your son to? Why would you do that?

I still agree with the VAT. Lots of parents send their kids to outstanding state schools and have savings for their children.

I am surprised that you were choosing a private school in the first place if you have an outstanding state school nearby. Usually people on these threads say that they chose private because there was a poor choice of state school locally.

I think OP meant to say that when DS finishes they could put DD's unused school fees towards her savings.

I don’t support the introduction of VAT on education at all, but even I think this is a twatish post.

You are REALLY not helping your cause here OP.

I totally disagree with VAT regardless of the situation.

Frankly cruel for Labour to potentially introduce this in one hit, terrible for children and their mental health having to change schools suddenly. If it absolutely has to be introduced (tax on education is just not something that happens in most countries, if any and nor in socialist countries either) it should be staggered and only apply to any newcomers into the private sector.

So what , your child is as entitled to a place the same as everyone else , this type of argument just doesn’t work . WRT the catchment area it will only work if there is an existing place at the school aside from in yr 7 . As the pp said lots of people choose state over private even though they can afford it particularly where we are ( kent ) .

You lost me at the extra winter holiday I'm afraid.

The problem here is not that private kids will scoop up all the places, it's that there is only one decent school in your town. That's the problem labour need to fix and it's a really intractable one.

I don't understand why this should change my view. The state should not subsidise private education apart from certain circumstances such as specialist send schools where fees are paid by the state. End of.

Nope.
Private schools aren't "a charity", never have been, they should be subject to the same VAT as all other private businesses.
An extra 20% makes barely a difference to most private school fee payers.

I still agree with the VAT on private schools. Over a million kids in the uk are living in poverty. Get a grip. HTH

Yep I agree with Vat .. Parents like you are likely to push for better state education .

hth

Well said.

Yes I still agree with it.

It's funny how, on some threads, private school parents all live in naice areas with outstanding state schools, and yet on other threads, we are informed that most people only go private because the local state options are so dreadful.

I expect your dd will be very glad to get the savings. I hope that your ds won't feel that he got the thin end of the wedge...

Cry me a river?

I read it (twice) and I still agree with VAT on school fees. More in fact.

I...don't care?

Usually people on these threads say that they chose private because there was a poor choice of state school locally.
I certainly didn't. I have frequently commented on here that the 'right' child will achieve academically at a good state school. I went down the independent route for happiness and resilience in my DC.
I live in an area with grammar schools, and a good friend who is an estate agent has noticed rather gorgeous family homes being snapped up by those with DC around the age 8/9/10. They seem to be putting an extra £150,000 in housing and then budgeting for tutors.

Yes. I still agree with VAT on private schools.
There are plenty of spaces in state schools.

I do find it quite ridiculous though, when private school parents complain that VAT will make private schools only for the very rich elite.

I feel a bit sorry for your son tbh. What a post.

Before this, did you believe that parents who could only just not afford private school were taking the place of another student at a state school, and thus should be given a discount at the private school?

I’m delighted your child has a place at a good state secondary school. That’s what should be available for all of our kids.

Well done for being rich. I’m also glad you’ll be paying some more tax than previously. You can obviously afford it and our public services could do with it.

You CAN afford your DDs fees but you are choosing state?

I'm sure your DD will be delighted as an adult that her brothers education was worth more than hers

Private education is a luxury. It took them AGES to remove VAT on sanitary towels and they definitely aren't a luxury. So I agree with it. I don't care if people can't afford it with the VAT.

I really don’t understand why your story would change anyone’s views on VAT

however, you’re going to end up with 2 liased off children if you choose to send DD to a worse school to try and make a point but also save £60k more for your DD than your DS. Both kids will feel hard done by