VAT on fees ‘could force closure of strictly Orthodox schools’, leaders warn
Independent sector
Jewish organisations have warned that the government’s VAT on fees policy could force many strictly Orthodox schools to close, leaving thousands of children reliant on home-schooling. Chinuch UK, the umbrella organisation for Charedi education, and the Jewish schools’ network PaJeS, have lobbied ministers to exempt independent schools from the tax measures if their fees are less than £7,690 a year – the cost of educating a child in a state school. Rabbi David Meyer, chief executive of PaJeS, said the tax changes pose “a significant threat to the UK’s approximately 80 independent Jewish schools, with the Charedi community facing the most severe consequences”. Speaking to The Jewish Chronicle, Zvi Sobel, chair of governors at Bnos Beis Yaakov, an independent primary school in Kingsbury, said: “We now face the very real threat of closure." By Simon Rocker.
Writing in Jewish News, director of communal affairs at Chinuch UK Motty Pinter highlights the financial challenges facing Orthodox Jewish schools in the UK, which include the government's VAT on fees policy and removal of business rates relief. Mr Pinter warns that these measures pose a threat to schools central to their community’s faith and identity, and risk leaving thousands of children without suitable education. Acknowledging there is no "straightforward solution", he states: "This isn’t just a financial issue – it’s a moral one and a clear breach of the Human Rights Act. The government’s policies disproportionately affect low-income families and minority communities, punishing those who can least afford it." Mr Pinter calls for a tax exemption for low-fee faith schools, and concludes: "By exempting low-fee schools from these new taxes, the government can protect these vital institutions and uphold the values that make Britain a beacon of tolerance and diversity."
Parliamentary written questions: Armed Forces and Turing Scheme
Political
In a written question in the House of Lords, Conservative peer Baroness Goldie asked what assessment ministers have made of the impact of the VAT on fees policy on the recruitment and retention of Armed Forces personnel. Responding, Lord Coaker said: "The Ministry of Defence and Ministers recognise the significant sacrifices that our military families make in serving our nation. We continue to support Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) as the means of mitigating the disruption to Service children’s education caused by Service commitments involving frequent moves of the family home and recognise its importance for the Service personnel who utilise it. To protect the integrity of the allowance the Secretary of State for Defence directed that the cap on the current rates be lifted, and CEA rates recalculated, in recognition of the likely increase in school fees that will occur in January 2025 with the introduction of VAT on private school fees. This re-rating exercise will complete at the end of November, with new rates effective from 1 December 2024 for claimants in time for the start of the spring term on 1 January 2025. Protecting the integrity of CEA highlights our wider commitment to putting people at the heart of Defence. This principle drives the Government’s focus on improving Armed Forces recruitment and retention, enabling Defence to continue to attract and retain the best possible talent."
In a written question in the House of Commons, Labour MP for Newcastle Upon Tyne Central and West Chi Onwurah asked how many and what proportion of students with Turing grants who are eligible for free school meals attend an independent school. In response, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing Janet Daby provided an overview of the scheme, which is the UK government’s global programme for students to study and work abroad, with additional funding for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms Daby outlined the criteria used to identify students from such backgrounds, adding: "As the department does not gather data on which criteria students meet to be considered as being from a disadvantaged background, the department is not able to provide a breakdown of the number of participants in the Turing Scheme who are in receipt of FSM." Hansard.
Calls for education reform are ‘reaching a crescendo’, says Bedales head
Examinations
In an article for Independent School Management Plus, head of Bedales School Will Goldsmith says ministers will not be able to ignore a "crescendo" of voices calling for GCSE reform. Referencing an alliance of seven former education ministers advocating for change, he writes: "Collectively they highlight the need to move away from an overly exam-based system to a forward-looking education which includes character, creative thinking, problem solving and other skills, alongside the best of the more traditional aspects of our current system." Mr Goldsmith shares his own school's experience, which saw Bedales start to move away from GCSEs 20 years ago, before concluding: "With calls for education reform from all quarters reaching a crescendo, the stars are now aligned for the government review to recommend decisive action, and for the current education secretary to take heed."
How to use drama to explore diversity with pupils
Teaching and learning
Hetty Steele writes in Tes about how drama is helping pupils at Bradford Grammar School explore the complex world around them. Amid a decline in the number of students taking the subject at A level and GCSE, Ms Steele says the arts are crucial in teaching dedication, cultural awareness, and the value of storytelling through diverse traditions. Hetty Steele is head of drama at Bradford Grammar School.
Partnerships: ‘More can be done to emulate best practice in our sector’
ISC blog
In the ISC's latest blog, head of Bradford Grammar School Simon Hinchliffe reflects on his school's public benefit activities, and explains how steps are being taken to deepen their impact and expand their reach.
