A private school in Cardiff, Kings Monkton School, has spoken out about the potential consequences of the UK government’s decision to impose VAT on school fees starting from January next year. The school, which has 195 pupils aged three to 18 and charges fees up to £17,539.87 a year, warns that the impact of this move will extend far beyond just the affluent families who can afford private education.
Alison King, the school’s librarian and personal and social education lead, highlighted that the introduction of VAT on independent schools could have adverse effects on vulnerable children and could also strain the state sector. She emphasised that the students attending Kings Monkton have diverse learning needs such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, which are not always adequately supported in state schools due to being overwhelmed and underfunded.
The proposed 20% VAT on fees is anticipated to raise £1.7 billion annually, according to the Chancellor’s budget announcement. While the government suggests that schools may only increase fees by 10% instead of the full 20% by offsetting costs through other means, Kings Monkton School argues that such a rise would render the school unaffordable for many families in the £50,000 income bracket who already make sacrifices to send their children to the school.
Moreover, the potential fee hike could jeopardise the school’s bursary programme, which currently supports pupils from low-income households. The school’s concerns extend to the impact on the broader community, as any decline in its viability could have ripple effects on local employment, housing, and charitable initiatives it supports.
Alison King stresses that the increased financial burden resulting from VAT on fees may force families to withdraw their children from Kings Monkton, disrupting their education and social well-being. She argues that this move could further strain an already stretched state education system and potentially lead to insufficient support for children with additional learning needs, pushing them into behaviour units and compromising their educational outcomes.
In addition to the issues raised by Kings Monkton School, there are ongoing discussions in the Welsh Government about potential additional financial burdens for independent schools related to charitable business rates. These considerations further complicate the financial landscape for schools like Kings Monkton, which operate as not-for-profit entities.
In conclusion, the concerns voiced by Kings Monkton School underscore the complex implications of imposing VAT on private school fees, highlighting how such a policy change can have profound effects on students, families, and the broader educational ecosystem. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how policymakers will address these challenges while balancing the financial sustainability of schools and the accessibility of education for all students.