Private Schools

The latest news, analysis and thought leadership for the independent schools sector, including taxes and funding, state-private partnerships, pupil wellbeing and more

Wednesday

16th Oct 2024

Private school VAT rules ‘not fit for purpose’
In a letter seen by Tes, the Independent Schools Council says HMRC guidance regarding VAT on school fees is ‘confusing’
Private schools have criticised Treasury guidance regarding VAT on school fees
Exclusive

Thursday

10th Oct 2024

5 ways to support school boarders’ mental health
On World Mental Health Day, a wellbeing lead at a boarding school outlines some of the steps it takes to help students who don’t have immediate family support
5 ways to support school boarders’ mental health

Tuesday

8th Oct 2024

VAT on private school fees is ‘destructive’, Hinds warns
Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds has criticised the government’s policy to apply 20 per cent VAT on independent school fees in a parliamentary debate today
Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds has warned that the new government's plans for VAT on private schools will be "destructive and divisive".

Thursday

3rd Oct 2024

Private schools’ merger highlights sector difficulties
The principal of a new school created from a merger says a long lead-in to the change should ‘mitigate compulsory reductions to roles’, but some jobs will be lost
Private schools merger highlights sector’s difficulties

Monday

30th Sep 2024

Widening access to private schools harder due to ‘challenges’ in sector
HMC chair comments come as the government plans to remove the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools from January
Widening access to private schools harder due to ‘challenges’ in sector

Friday

27th Sep 2024

Delay private school fee VAT charge or lose teachers ‘permanently’
Headteachers’ and teachers’ leaders have urged ministers to delay implementation of the government’s school fee levy to next September, and to carry out an impact assessment
stop button on stereo

Monday

23rd Sep 2024

VAT on school fees will lead to teacher job cuts, warns SCIS
The body for Scottish independent schools also says that displaced students in exam years are struggling to find places in the state sector
VAT on school fees will lead to teacher job cuts, warns SCIS

Wednesday

14th Aug 2024

Why are independent schools closing in Scotland?
The news that two Scottish independent schools are closing raises questions about the health of the sector as a whole – and has prompted the national body for private schools to call for a delay in applying VAT on fees
Why are independent schools closing in Scotland?

Tuesday

13th Aug 2024

Cambridge International exams: 2024 results released
More than 630,000 students have received their international GCSE, O-level and AS- and A-level results after ‘biggest-ever exam series’
Cambridge International exam results released

Tuesday

30th Jul 2024

VAT on private school fees from January
Labour government pushes ahead with its plan to remove VAT exemption and business rates relief for independent schools
James murray VAT private school

Thursday

13th Jun 2024

Consistency and oversight needed in tutoring
Following new government guidance recognising the growing role of tutoring in schools, this principal says it is time the market was better regulated
Tutoring archery

Thursday

30th May 2024

Labour’s VAT plans, staff costs and the law: what schools need to know
A lawyer explains why Labour’s proposed tax plans have got private schools considering their options on staff pay – but the law is clear on what actions they can and cannot take
Kier Starmer