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.

Yeah that sucks

Yeah 🤣 as if they aren't already

Many, many years ago I seem to recall that a Government (I don't know which) said they were going to phrase out income tax and introduce VAT, so you paid tax on jow you spent your money, So VAT on 'luxury' items but not on necessities (e.g. food, education). We have both now.

Many, many years ago I seem to recall that a Government (I don't know which) said they were going to phrase out road fund licence and increase fuel duty so the more you drove, the more you paid. We have both now.
Interestingly/annoyingly, VAT is paid on the cost of the fuel AND the cost of the duty, so we are paying a tax on a tax!

I don’t agree with the VAT but your reasoning makes you look like a dick. You can spend or save your money how you like and I’m sure that the travel industry will be delighted that you plan to spend more on holidays 🤷‍♀️
Why would anyone be bothered about your friends are pulling their kids out of private ? 🤷‍♀️ I care as much as your friends care about my kids’ educations.
I think that this will create tighter catchments in some areas but you’re assuming that the effect nationally is the same as the effect on your school. Some parents would be able to absorb even higher increases than 20% and some schools would still have waiting lists. This has been announced a long time ago so people can’t get upset that it’s happening, especially if they didn’t vote in the General Election.
People who use a state school even though they could afford private deserve their places as much as people who couldn’t afford private. You aren’t doing the nation a service going private - it’s a decision that suits your family that is as valid as if you’d decided to use state for all of your kids.

The movement from private to state will be a huge bonus in helping state schools to be sustainable.

In my LA there have been 16 schools closed over the last 6 years, not enough pupils, not educationally or financially viable.

Communities really dislike losing their local school, everyone will be satisfied with less closures.

Got to put wimmin in their place innit... (joke!!!)

You aren’t doing the nation a service going private

From some of the threads on this, it really does seem that some people do think this.

OP, I'm not sure what the point is that you're making. It doesn't evoke sympathy. Could you explain?

I dunno, she might be pleased with the extra £84000 savings she gets at 18.

Welcome to the state sector, @Sally20099 !

@MrsBennetsPoorNerves "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"

Yes- this is a puzzle! 🤣

This sounds fine to me. Your daughter is going to an outstanding secondary school, what am I meant to be horrified about here?

How? Why are rich parents going make things better. At a grass roots level they will make the staff and heads lives a misery but as that single ex private parent they are no more likely to change things than the existing several million parents who obviously can’t be arsed to try and change things. Particularly if they have managed to bag a place in an outstanding school. What would they need to change?

Proving your case with logic and reason this is not.

Thoughts and prayers.

Every thread I read on here written by a private school parent trying to tell the rest of us plebs why VAT on their kids’ schools is a terrible idea just reminds me of the sanctimonious, foot-stampy attitude that persuaded me that I wouldn’t let my kids within ten miles of a private school.

Around here, the private school parents keep on bleating on about how there are no state school places available so what on earth would we do if they couldn’t afford private anymore because of the VAT. What they actually mean is that the outstanding school is full and they might be forced to send their kids to the requires improvement school. I’m guessing they’ll find the money for private down the back of the sofa rather than do that. Not a luxury afforded to most of us.

DD is going to get a fund worth over £100k at university as we will save £12-£14k a year for her until she leaves sixth form. (Ie most of the savings each year from state vs private).

I agree with your second point. It’s as though the concept of inflation has never occurred to them - costs will always rise, it’s just that this particular rise is a bit steeper than many other years.

You’d have thought they’d understand maths, with their expensive but only just affordable educations.

Yes. Still agree. And not really seeing the hardship if your DD is going to an outstanding school and having a large amount directed into a savings account. Can't see you have any reason to complain. You are not experiencing hardship, far from it.

Is the op a pastiche?

Do you understand how offensive it is to act like state school is some hardship?

I think it boils down to the fact that you are expecting a tax break to give both your children access to a superior education (according to you). Implicit in your thinking is that your children are somehow more worthy than other children. Happy for you to educate your children how you want but do not expect the British taxpayer to effectively subsidise your choice. I want my taxes to go towards all children.

How does your DS feel about this?

None of what you've posted makes VAT on Private Schools bad then! Nothing to see here except massive privilege!

If in the future your DD's earning potential is not the same as her brothers, the resentment will set in

Happy Hols then...