Following confirmation of the Government’s intention to levy VAT onto independent school fees from January 2025 (subject to consultation), we have now written to parents to share our strategy for the coming year.

Our primary aim is to ensure our schools remain as financially accessible to the widest range of families. This means that in working through the fee structure for January 2025 if the collection of VAT is indeed imposed on us, we have sought to cushion the impact of the introduction of this tax for our parents.

We have reviewed spending decisions and budget allocations for the upcoming academic year, in order to increase operational efficiencies and reduce costs, whilst preserving educational excellence which is a hallmark of our experience for pupils.

We will also be able to reclaim some VAT each year on good and services on which we have paid VAT and capital goods scheme recoveries; what we can claim back will vary year on year, but these savings will be reflected in the calculations behind future fee setting exercises.

Consequently, we will be reducing our net termly fees from January 2025, so that the 20% VAT will be applied to a lower figure than would otherwise have been the case. The proposed fees from January 2025 are:

It is important to note that the draft legislation remains subject to a consultation process. The policy could yet change and we are unlikely to know the full effects of the application of VAT until the Budget on 30 October.