ISC repeatedly warned impact of VAT on fees 'would not be felt evenly across the country', says spokesperson
A spokesperson for the ISC said parents and schools are navigating the changing landscape following the introduction of VAT on fees, as figures show that some areas have seen sharper declines in pupil numbers than others.
Speaking to iNews following the publication of ISC's latest pupil numbers survey – which shows the North East, Scotland and Wales have seen the sharpest drop in independent school pupils over the last year – they warned: "We have consistently said that the effect of a tax on education would not be felt evenly across the country, and that local demographics would come into play as parents and schools adapted to the new independent education landscape."
Ms Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, added that the regions which have been hardest hit are seeing "a disproportionate fall in pupil numbers, limiting parental choice and placing further pressure on local state schools".