Aphra Brandreth MP has met with the headteachers and senior staff of Abbey Gate College, King’s School Chester, Queen’s School Chester, The Grange and The Firs at Abbey Gate College to hear how the 20 per cent VAT on private school fees will affect students, families and the schools.
During the roundtable, headteachers and senior staff shared how the proposed changes would impact students, parents, families and wider school community, threatening the future of the schools.
Aphra Brandreth, Member of Parliament for Chester South and Eddisbury said:
“I am grateful to all the headteachers and senior staff who attended my roundtable on the 20 per cent VAT proposal on private school fees at Abbey Gate College. There is a plethora of consequences that this policy creates but it is abundantly clear from this roundtable that headteachers in Cheshire are most concerned about the impact on children. They ought to be at the centre of any policy regarding education, however this Government has failed to do that.
“The idea that private schools provide for a privileged few is completely false. I have heard how each of the schools who attended the roundtable provide an education for SEND children who need specialist provision, military families and for the children of hardworking parents who make sacrifices to send their children to the most suitable school.
“There are also a number of operational issues that make this policy unsuitable. For instance, financial departments have not had the necessary time to train and prepare to deal with VAT. Children and families who will no longer be able to afford to attend these schools will have no choice but to change curriculums and exam boards. And the impact of children leaving private schools will put undue pressure on state schools, many of which are already full.
“I am very grateful to all who attended for taking the time to share the impacts that this policy will have on each of their schools, children, families and staff. I know that the schools have written to the Secretary of State for Education to voice their concerns and I will be doing so also, as well as using opportunities in Parliament to ask the Government to reconsider this proposal.”
Following the roundtable, Aphra Brandreth MP spoke on the policy proposal at a Westminster Hall debate. You can watch her contribution here.
