Keir’s VAT raid on private schools ‘could squeeze poor children out of grammars’
POORER students risk being squeezed out of grammar school places by parents looking to dodge Labour’s proposed VaT raid on private school fees, leading education figures have warned.
Headteachers at the country’s leading grammars say Sir keir Starmer’s plans to charge the 20 per cent tax on fees will lead to a surge in competition for places at the most popular oversubscribed schools.
They argue this would benefit pupils from more wealthy backgrounds whose parents can afford to pay for tutoring.
Tutoring companies have already reported a surge in parents preparing their children to sit the 11-Plus exam, required for grammar school entry. Previous studies have suggested that around 90,000 children could be forced into the state sector beacuse their parents will no longer be able to afford private school fees.
Phillip Bosworth, of the National Grammar Schools association, said an influx of parents putting their children though 11-Plus exams could ‘push some local children out’. He added: ‘a large influx of students from private schools to grammar schools is going to be a challenge, as there simply aren’t sufficient extra places.’
Joe Hytner, director of Titanium Tutors said: ‘Eleven-Plus tutoring has always been popular but has been gathering pace and I would expect it to grow further on an industry-wide basis if VaT is added to private school fees.
‘This will mean more pressure and competition for places at top state schools, potentially fueling more demand for tutoring.’
Labour has U-turned on plans to abolish the charitable status of private schools but says it will still add VaT to fees. The policy could be introduced from as early as September.
It comes as more than 88,000 people have signed a petition calling on Labour to scrap the policy. The Independent Schools Council, which represents 1,300 schools, has warned the extra financial burden of VaT could impact the ability of institutions to help fund places for poorer pupils.