Debate has broken out over the state of education after a local MP blamed a ‘vindictive’ policy for a string of private school closures in the west country.
Dr Andrew Murrison’s comments come on the heels of spate of announcements including the shutting of Bishopstrow College in Warminster in July last year, and Rendcomb College in south Gloucestershire in January this year.
Both schools cited financial viability in the wake of an imposition of VAT on school fees as a principal driver in the decision to shut their doors.
In a note to this paper, Dr Murrison said: “Thanks to this government’s vindictive measures and national insurance hikes, independent schools are closing or downsizing across the country including locally with consequent job losses. None of this has benefitted state schools.”
The remarks launched a debate on social media last week, with more than 700 comments from readers chiming in with their views on the policy and the current state of private education.
Many agreed with Dr Murrison’s remarks, also appearing to believe the policy itself was suspect.
Robert Cole wrote: “It’s a crass policy whatever you may think. Decent education should not be a thing that is used for gaining money from the parents that wish the best for their children.”
Others highlighted the fact that the real victims were the children and parents affected by the closures, and that it was an example of "the politics of envy".
In a comment that was liked by 645 accounts, Paul Hart said: “It’s not the schools that pay the tax; it's the parents. The schools just collect the money. In the meantime, the parents are already saving the state over 7,000 per year because the state doesn’t have to educate the child.
“Increasing fees by 20 per cent means parents will need to earn more in the first place and taxed on the extra they are earning. Net effect is the very rich can afford to carry on. The rest of us admit defeat and put children back in state sector. Consequently, costs state to educate children that they didn't have to. Politics of envy I’m afraid, especially when Lammy and Starmer benefited from what was effectively a private education."
Parents whose children’s schooling has been impacted by closures across the sector also offered their perspective.
Gemma Jeffrey said: “My children are at Rendcomb… we are a community in mourning.
“It is a lovely, pastoral, caring school with dedicated teachers and some of the most decent people I have had the privilege of knowing.
“Some teachers have been there for over 30 years and call it their 'home'.
“The upheaval that the school closure has caused for the children and staff believe me is utterly heartbreaking.”
Others, however, were more sanguine about the closures and the policy, arguing that it could create a level playing field.
David A White wrote: “Perhaps it's about creating a genuine meritocracy and equal opportunity. Which should benefit the country in the long term. Just a thought.”
Other readers were sceptical that the policy had had the impact that some have suggested. Dudley Coates commented: “Private schools had been closing before VAT was applied. Is there real evidence of increased closures?”
Responding to Dr Murrison's comments last week, a Department for Education spokesperson said: “Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94% of children in state schools to achieve and thrive.
“It is a commercial decision for individual private schools as to how they manage their finances and make staffing decisions in the same way as any other private business."
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