Student Numbers Decline in UK Private Schools Following VAT Policy Change
Private schools in England have seen a notable decline in pupil numbers following the Labour Party’s introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on independent education. At the same time, scholarship and financial aid support has reached record levels. According to annual data released by the Independent Schools Council (ISC), a non-profit body representing over 1,300 private schools across the United Kingdom, the number of new enrolments dropped by 5.3 per cent. Overall pupil numbers fell by 2.4 per cent, representing a shortfall of 10,000 more students than the government had anticipated. Meanwhile, financial support in the form of bursaries and assistance increased by 11.5 per cent, reaching £1.5 billion. Of this, £1.1 billion was provided directly by the schools themselves. The ISC’s data also highlighted a rise in collaborative projects between private and state schools. In 2024 alone, 9,301 partnership activities were recorded in areas such as mental health support, access to the arts, exam preparation, and the sharing of school facilities. Julie Robinson, Chief Executive of the ISC, stressed the continued efforts to widen access to education. However, she warned that the decline in pupil numbers could threaten the long-term sustainability of the bursary system. Robinson called for closer cooperation with the government during this challenging period. According to the report, more than one-third of pupils in private schools currently receive some form of financial aid.
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