In an interview with Camilla Tominey yesterday on GB News, Emily Thornberry (Labour, Islington South & Finsbury) told viewers that “it’s fine” if children have to leave their independent schools to go to state schools.  She added: “If we have to, in the short term, have larger classes, we have larger classes.”  

Bridget Phillipson responded today by assuring parents on Times Radio that state schools can accommodate any students priced out by this policy, because of falling birth rates. Fewer children in future years is cold comfort to children in school today, especially in secondary school, since they can’t simply ‘switch year groups’.  

It is worrisome that Labour’s own leaders can’t agree, and have no clarity on, on the effects of this policy–both short-term and long-term.  This issue goes beyond independent school children forced from their schools, to include state school children who could find themselves in even larger classes.  

Studies have shown, and parents have long said, that Labour’s plan for school fee VAT doesn’t add up (see findings by EDSK and the Adam Smith Institute).  Seeing Labour’s own front-line leaders appearing confused about the effects their policy will have on so many children only reinforce our concerns.

We urge them to listen to the parents who have to make this difficult choice for their children.  Despite multiple requests to meet, we have not been given this opportunity.  We persist.

In the meantime, parents are already making this choice.  The Sunday Times reported that local authorities across the country are struggling to accommodate independent school parent requests for an in-year transfer to a state school.  The Telegraph reported that state schools are also having to turn away desperate parents priced out by Labour’s VAT proposals.

Students forced from their independent schools have to go somewhere, so some state schools will see higher class sizes from September.  Labour once claimed that many children in state schools were crammed like sardines, yet Emily Thornberry says she’s fine with stuffing even more children in.

The NASUWT teachers’ union surveyed over 3,000 teachers in 2022.  According to The Guardian, “91% were of the view that class sizes were adversely affecting their pupils’ progress and attainment, while 90% felt they were having a detrimental effect on pupil behaviour.”  

This policy is unfair all round.  It hurts children forced out of independent schools, as well as children in already-full state schools with their own challenges.  Children deserve better than this.  It doesn’t even make financial sense.  Analysis by the Adam Smith Institute found that each child moving to a state school will cost the Treasury between £8-12k.

Worse yet, we also know that Emily Thornberry wouldn’t accept this as a parent:  She chose to send her child to a selective state school 13 miles away from her home and said "I'll never apologise for doing the best for my kids."   

If Emily Thornberry can choose what's best for her child, why penalise other parents who just want the same for their children -- whether those children go to a state or an independent school?

This lies at the heart of the issue.  Everyone wants to send their child to the best school they can.   Some parents move house to live as close as possible to their preferred school, and others tutor their children for years so they can pass an entrance exam to a grammar school.  Others choose to send their children to an independent school.  

Call To Action:

The conversations continue across the country and we are winning hearts and minds.  The election is just weeks away, but remember that our work continues well beyond 4 July, until a new policy is in place.  Here’s how you can help.

1. Share our change.org petition far and wide, and encourage as many others parents and members of your community to sign it (and be sure to tick the box for updates!).  This isn’t just for independent school parents.  Children in state schools will pay a price as well.  The more people who sign, the stronger our voice will be.  Over 149,000 people have signed so far.  Be sure to tick the box to follow updates, because more will come soon.  
2. Share our campaign website  (www.educationnottaxation.org).  This gives an overview of school fee VAT and explains why it matters.
   
3. Ask political candidates where they stand.  We are in an election, and we need to know where candidates of all parties stand on this issue, and they need to know this issue matters to many parents.  You can find your candidates by entering your postcode on this link:  https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/.  Be civil, reasoned and polite (even when others aren’t).  
4. Follow us on X (Twitter).  Our handle is @EducationNotTax.  We will post updates here, especially as the conversation continues.  As when engaging with political candidates, be reasoned, civil and polite.  Don’t let others get the better of you.  
5. If you’re a parent of an independent school child, join us in our Facebook community, which you can find here.  This is a forum for parents having to deal with this issue.

Thank you all for your support!  Keep an eye out for further updates soon.

Best regards,

Tony Perry
Education Not Taxation