‘Outstanding' private school to close under Labour

Telegraph

10-05-2025

An independent school in Wakefield is set to close later this year as a result of Labour's VAT and National Insurance tax raids.
In a letter to parents sent this week, Philip Hardy, proprietor and chairman of the board of governors of Wakefield Independent School, blamed the proposed closure on a combination of the VAT increase that has reduced pupil numbers, and the Government's decision to increase employer National Insurance.
He added increases to the minimum wage and outstanding fees had also contributed to the decision, in the letter seen by The Telegraph.
The letter said: 'Over the last six months, exhaustive efforts have been made by the directors to cope with several, in many cases sector-wide, challenges: a reduction in current pupil numbers caused by the VAT impact, difficulty recruiting new pupils, outstanding fees, plus increases in business rates, minimum wage and employers' National Insurance contributions.'
The school has also been served with new lease terms by its landlord that Mr Hardy said were 'unsuitable'.
A proposal for closure at the start of July has been put forward after 'a comprehensive financial review', and months of meetings with lawyers, accountants and consultants in a bid to save the school.
The Yorkshire school was rated 'good' by Ofsted, with 'personal development' and 'behaviour and attitudes' both rated 'outstanding'. The Ofsted report, published in December 2023, also praised Wakefield Independent's approach to supporting children with special educational needs.
Campaigners have warned children with special educational needs will be particularly hit by the tax changes, as higher fees threaten to push them into state schools that are not always able to cater to their needs.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I don't understand what the Government is doing here, there must be a perception that everyone is wealthy because they use these schools, but that is just not the case.
'The vast majority of the parents at the school aren't particularly wealthy and just work really hard to send their children there.
'There are a lot of kids with special educational needs because the school is fantastic and the small class ratios are really beneficial.'
The co-education school caters to pupils aged two to 16 years across infant, junior and senior schools. It currently has around 140 pupils, but has capacity for over 200, with fees costing up to £12,000 a year for pupils in year seven and up.
In his statement, Mr Hardy wrote: 'We hope that making the announcement now gives staff, parents and pupils, with our full support, several weeks before the end of term, and a full summer holiday, to make any necessary arrangements for the future, without sacrificing the education we're determined to provide up to the end of term.
'The underlying mission of Wakefield Independent has always been to provide affordable private education on a non-selective basis.'
He added that fees remain 'below half of those at other selective schools in the area'.
Wakefield Independent is the latest fee-paying school to announce it is on the brink of closure as a result of Labour's tax raid on the sector.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Lord Heseltine's old private school is set to close.
Cognita UK, the education company which runs the school, said in a statement: 'This week we shared some difficult news with our families and staff about the proposal to close Oakleigh House School.
'We carried out a comprehensive review of the school's sustainability in light of local demographic trends and a changing economic environment, which sadly concluded that pupil numbers are expected to continue to fall to an unsustainable level in the next academic year.'
The private preparatory school in Swansea also boasts Eddie Izzard as an alumnus alongside the former Conservative deputy prime minister.
Cognita is also closing St Clare's School, another school it runs in Porthcawl, Wales.
Wakefield Independent School was approached for comment.