The Independent Schools Council's latest census shows that the proportion of children moving to independent schools is the lowest that it's been in a decade, according to The Times and The Telegraph.  This is before an election has even taken place. 

We in the Education Not Taxation campaign are already seeing this reality in the stories families have shared through the petition.

One parent wrote: “My child attends a private school but with this tax added, we would not be able to send her there, like so many others & it would then put more pressure on state schools.”  

A grandparent wrote: “I am trying to help and support two grandchildren and like many others I still pay all my taxes in full which cover and include state education. As a pensioner the addition of VAT will be a step too far and will end up putting even more stress on an already overloaded state system.”

Parents tell us that children have started to feel distress by the possibility of having to leave their school.  Multiple surveys suggest that up to one in four parents will move their child from an independent school to a state school.  Research by the Adam Smith Institute suggests that, at this rate, the Government could end up losing up to £1.6 billion by adding VAT to independent school fees.  In short, forcing children out of their schools will help no one.  We all want great schools, but we won’t get there by pitting schools against each other, or treating children like collateral damage.   

The damage goes beyond independent schools.  It logically follows that, as parents choose to send their children to state schools instead of independent schools, this will increase pressure on popular state schools.  This means that parents hoping to send their child to a popular state school could have to find alternative arrangements if, for example, another family bought a home closer to the school or tutored their child for the 11+ entrance exam to grammar school.  The Telegraph reported on analysis by the Adam Smith Institute that found that 95% of local authorities responding to a survey could not estimate how many students might move into state schools.  This strongly suggests that they aren’t prepared.

Further complicating matters, Labour’s policy appears to exempt students with EHCPs, but not the far larger number of children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).  A Parliamentary report in 2020 found significant inequities in the wider SEND provision, including how EHCPs are issued.  Many parents have shared stories of their children being failed in state schools, leading them to move to independent schools.  

Richard Taylor, who has extensive experience in the education technology and  business of education, notes that Labour’s narrow exemption for children with EHCPs will encourage more parents to apply for EHCPs and increase the burden on already resource-constrained local authorities which fund these.  He notes this could translate to higher council tax bills and could push some Councils into bankruptcy (issue a Section 114 notice).  

Please continue to share our petition far and wide.  Speak with your friends and family and encourage them to sign as well.  Each signature strengthens our voice, and each story challenges the stereotypes that make policies like this possible.   We’re already challenging preconceptions and shaping the conversation.  In addition to the press, noted above, school fee VAT was also discussed on LBC (Vanessa Feltz, 11 May), Times Radio (Breakfast, 11 May) and TalkTV (Peter Cardwell, 11 May), among others.  

We need your help and are on the lookout for more stories.  Please especially get in touch if you’re already making the move to a state school in September, and if you’re a grandparent helping out with school finances and worried about VAT.  

Also, please join our parents group on Facebook, and take a look at our campaign website, Education Not Taxation.

Finally, keep an eye out for more frequent updates, because the national conversation is moving quickly.  We will keep you posted on progress, and also show the different ways school fee VAT will affect children and families.  

Thank you all for your support!

Tony Perry
Education Not Taxation