The introduction of VAT on private school fees has been blamed for closures. But the numbers present a complex picture
More private schools opened than closed last year despite Labour’s introduction of VAT on school fees.
Some 107 independent schools opened in England last year – the highest number recorded since 2007, The i Paper‘s analysis of Government records found.
Meanwhile, 71 closed – more than in 2024 but lower than in 2023, before the Labour Party came to power.
Shorts
This year so far, 38 private schools have opened and 10 have closed, according to the Department for Education’s register of schools.
The new 20 per cent tax on fees has hit school budgets partly due to families being priced out and leaving the sector.
Official government figures show numbers at independent schools have taken a disproportionately large hit since fee VAT came in.
Private school pupil numbers have plummeted by 30,000, down nearly 7 per cent in some year groups, since Labour introduced VAT on…
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Boarding pupil numbers fall 8.2 per cent as costs at independent schools rise
Around 11,000 pupils have already left private schooling since the policy came into force in January
