More than 100 personal faculties compelled to shut ‘due to government VAT on fees’ | EUROtoday

More than 100 unbiased faculties have reportedly closed their doorways following the federal government’s choice to impose VAT on personal college charges.

Julie Robinson, chief government of the Independent Schools Council, instructed The Mail On Sunday that 105 establishments have ceased operations for the reason that coverage was launched.

She described the transfer as “a bridge too far” for a lot of institutions. The authorities’s coverage, which levies 20 per cent VAT on personal college charges, got here into impact on January 1 final yr.

“We are likely to see further closures over the coming months and years as the effects of VAT and other tax measures mount up,” Ms Robinson instructed the paper.

“While there is a combination of factors contributing to school closures, we know that there are some for whom the Government’s decision to tax education is a bridge too far.”

The 105 faculties embody 15 which had been merged with others, Ms Robinson instructed The Mail On Sunday.

A complete of 19 college closures – practically one in 5 – passed off in London and the encompassing space, whereas many institutions within the North and the Midlands have additionally been compelled to close their doorways, based on the newspaper.

Park Hill School in Kingston and Falcons School in Putney each claimed the Government’s introduction of VAT on charges meant they not had the means to remain open, The Mail On Sunday mentioned.

The Old Palace of John Whitgift School in Croydon, south London, Ursuline Prep in Ilford, east London, and London Acorn in Morden, south-west London, additionally shut their doorways final yr.

More current closures embody The Cedars School in Croydon, an all-boys senior college which shut in September, and Oak Heights, a co-ed senior college in Hounslow, west London, which closed in October.

Other closures embody Queen Margaret’s School for Girls in York final summer season, with governors citing “mounting financial pressures” as a cause for the shutdown.

Carrdus School in Banbury, owned by personal women’ college Tudor Hall, and Maidwell Hall in Northamptonshire, whose alumni embody Earl Spencer, additionally closed not too long ago.

A authorities spokesperson mentioned on Sunday: “This manufactured crisis of pupils leaving the private sector and putting pressure on the state system has failed to materialise.

“Our data shows pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over the last 20 years, and the rate of children getting a place at one of their preferred primary schools is the second highest on record.

“Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94 per cent of children in state schools, to help ensure excellence everywhere for every child.”