Rector warns ‘unjust’ policy may force hike in school fees
THE head of a leading independent school has warned parents they face hikes in fees of hundreds of pounds after the SNP’s ‘manifestly unjust’ Budget.
On Thursday, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced his intention to adopt all but one of the recommendations of the Barclay Review of business rates.
It means that while universities will be able to use charitable status to claim relief on rates, independent schools have been stripped of the right, seeing them lose an estimated £5million from their coffers.
There are already fears the move will put the system at a disadvantage compared with the rest of the UK.
Now the rector of Hutchesons’ Grammar, Colin Gambles, has written to parents of pupils at the Glasgow school outlining the implications of Mr Mackay’s decision, and warning of the possible 2 per cent hike in fees that could result. Annual fees for secondary pupils there are £11,728. The increase would mean parents having to find an extra £235 per year. Primary pupil fees are between £9,098 and £10,836, creating a similar sting for parents.
In his letter, sent out yesterday, Mr Gambles wrote: ‘We are extremely disappointed in this announcement.
‘We do not believe that the Scottish Government appreciates the considerable sacrifices that families have to make to send their children to be educated at Hutchesons’ Grammar School.
‘I would like to reiterate that Hutchesons’ Educational Trust is a not-for-profit charity and we have to pass a stringent public benefit test to receive this status.
‘This unfair decision has singled out our sector from other educational charities such as universities and indeed from the 24,339 charities that OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) is responsible for and who will not have to pay business rates under these proposals.’
He goes on: ‘I would restate that we are a not-for-profit charity, whose sole purpose is the education of children.
‘To separate us from all other charities in Scotland is manifestly unjust and does not give cognisance to the huge amount of good work that we do with, and for, your children and Scotland.’
Mr Gamble attempted to assure parents that the school will try to ‘minimise’ additional costs and ‘mitigate’ the knock-on rise of just above 2 per cent in the annual fees.
He added: ‘The governors and school are still committed strategically to increasing the number of pupils receiving bursaries, but the Government decision will make this harder going forward.’
Mr Gambles could not be reached for further comment last night.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘As per the recommendations of the Barclay report, we propose to retain relief eligibility for special schools, but are giving further consideration to how we ensure that independent schools with exceptional circumstances – such as specialist music schools – continue to be eligible.
‘We will continue to engage with the sector as we finalise the detail of our proposals, subject to which we intend to bring forward primary legislation to deliver this change by 2020 – as this is a change to non-domestic rating provision, rather than to charity law.’
The spokesman added: ‘This notice will allow time for those schools affected to plan ahead.’
‘We are extremely disappointed’