More than one hundred independent schools have shut their doors in the year since Labour introduced VAT on private school fees, a policy branded an 'ideological class war' by critics. The closures have directly affected the education of tens of thousands of children across the country.
The Mounting Toll of the VAT Raid
A total of 105 independent schools have closed, impacting approximately 25,000 pupils, according to Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The grim tally was disclosed on the first anniversary of the controversial policy, which came into effect on January 1 last year. Ms Robinson warned that the sector faces a bleak picture in 2026 as the cumulative effects of VAT and other tax measures intensify.
She told The Mail on Sunday: 'We are likely to see further closures over the coming months and years as the effects of VAT and other tax measures mount up.' While acknowledging a combination of factors behind the closures, she stated that for some institutions, the government's decision to tax education was 'a bridge too far.' The total figure includes 15 schools that were merged with others.
Famous Institutions Feel the Financial Squeeze
The financial strain has reached even some of Britain's most prestigious schools. Marlborough College in Wiltshire, the alma mater of the Princess of Wales, has reportedly been forced to turn off heating during holidays to save money, according to an anonymous staff member. The school, which charges up to £61,800 a year and has been mooted as a potential destination for Prince George, has also closed its annual summer school after 50 years, citing financial pressures including VAT.
Contrary to Labour's initial forecasts that no schools would close, the reality has been stark. By March last year, after a dozen schools had already shut, Treasury Minister Torsten Bell admitted the policy would have casualties, suggesting 100 schools 'could close over three years.' The government had originally estimated only 3% of private school pupils (around 18,000) would leave the sector.
A National Crisis with London Impact
While many closures have been in the North and Midlands, the crisis is nationwide. Nearly one in five closures (19 schools) has occurred in London and the surrounding area. Notable casualties include:
- Park Hill School in Kingston and Falcons School in Putney, which both blamed the VAT policy for their demise.
- The Old Palace of John Whitgift School in Croydon, Ursuline Prep in Ilford, and London Acorn in Morden, which closed last year.
- More recent closures include The Cedars School in Croydon (September) and Oak Heights in Hounslow (October).
Other high-profile closures include Queen Margaret's School for Girls in York, whose governors said they were 'unable to withstand mounting financial pressures,' and Carrdus School in Banbury. In December, The Meadows Montessori in Ipswich shut, with head Sam Sims blaming 'targeted measures towards independent schools' such as VAT.
A government spokesman defended the policy, stating: 'This manufactured crisis of pupils leaving the private sector and putting pressure on the state system has failed to materialise.' They added that ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to fund public services and support the 94% of children in state schools.
