There are fewer private school pupils starting secondary this year, according to the body that represents most independent schools in the UK.
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) says some members reported a 4.6% fall in Year 7 pupils in September, in figures seen exclusively by BBC News.
Experts say the declining birth rate and cost of living could be having an impact – but the ISC attributes the drop to parents deciding against sending their children to private school, after plans to charge value added tax (VAT) from January were announced.
The government says it does not expect the policy to have a significant impact on the number of pupils attending private schools.Parents at Hulme Grammar School in Oldham will have to pay 20% more from January, as the school cannot afford to absorb the VAT changes.
It currently charges up to £14,200 a year.
Principal Tony Oulton says the school is receiving “multiple phone calls” daily from parents worried about the forthcoming fee rise.
“The majority of parents are making real sacrifices and are prioritising spending on their children’s education over everything else,” he says.
The school has 110 students with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) on its roll.
But only eight of those have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which means they will be exempt from the VAT increase.n Mr Oulton says parents are already removing their children from the school because of the policy.
Source: BBC
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