Rural Prep School Fights for Survival Days Before Deadline
A small, idyllic private school in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside is on the brink of closing its doors for good before the Christmas holidays. Hunter Hall, a preparatory school near Penrith, has launched a desperate crowdfunding appeal to raise £180,000 by this coming Wednesday to avert a permanent shutdown.
‘Vindictive’ Tax Policy Blamed for Pupil Exodus
The school’s head teacher, Paul Borrows, states that the primary cause of the crisis is the new VAT on school fees introduced by the Labour government in January. This policy has directly led to families being priced out, forcing them to withdraw their children. In the past year alone, the school roll for pupils aged three to eleven has plummeted from 100 to just 79.
Mr Borrows, 42, described the speed of the tax changes as a shock to the independent sector. He told the Sunday Times, ‘The way the Government approached it felt, at times, vindictive, like it was done in a way that would almost cause most damage. Knowing the damage it has done to children is quite hard to stomach.’
A Community Rallies as the Clock Ticks Down
The school, which charges up to £15,000 a year in tuition fees, employs 20 staff and was due to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. It is housed in charming 19th-century farm buildings on the outskirts of Penrith, surrounded by fields of sheep.
The emergency crowdfunding campaign has so far gathered an impressive £119,000 in just one week. Mr Borrows expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from current families, past pupils, and new donors from across the UK. He highlighted the poignant backing from families who have previously endured the trauma of a sudden school closure.
With under three days to reach the target, the pressure remains intense. The governors have emphasised that this funding is not a temporary fix but is crucial for securing the school's long-term future.
According to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), 57 mainstream private schools have closed since January, with 86 shutting since Labour's election victory in July 2024. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, warned that further closures are likely as the full effects of the tax measures accumulate.
In response, a Government spokesman defended the policy, stating: ‘Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029-30 to help deliver 6,500 new teachers and raise school standards, supporting the 94 per cent of children in state schools.’
