VAT on fees: ISC CEO comments on findings highlighting capacity challenges in the state sector
Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), has reiterated concerns over the government's VAT on fees policy, which threatens to disrupt the education of pupils in both sectors.
Figures obtained by The Times have revealed that state schools across at least 27 local authorities are already oversubscribed in certain age groups, with Years 7 and 8 having the least capacity. This has fuelled concerns about the ability of schools to handle the anticipated increase in pupils moving from the independent sector.
Speaking to the paper, Ms Robinson said concern remained that “there might not be the right spaces in the right places for children whose education is disrupted by this policy”.
She added: “Independent schools play a vital part in their community’s education ecosystem and we are particularly worried about how this tax on education might impact local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision, as well as young people’s access to faith, bilingual or single-sex schools.”