Lord Heseltine's old private school faces closure after Labour VAT raid
Oakleigh House School, a private preparatory school in Swansea, could shut its doors after more than a century of educating youngsters.
The potential closure was blamed on financial pressures, and follows the Government's decision to apply 20 per cent VAT to private school fees. It also comes after warnings about the future of fee-paying schools.
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.
'We will do everything we can to support our families and staff and help our current pupils find alternative school places should the decision be taken to close.'
Lord Heseltine, the former Conservative deputy prime minister, is one of several famous pupils to have been taught at the primary school, whose alumni include comedian Eddie Izzard.
The school, in the Uplands area of Swansea, teaches children from two-and-a-half to 11 years old, with fees ranging from £3,736 a term for reception pupils to £4,492 for those in Year 6.
Cognita UK confirmed St Clare's School, another school it runs in Porthcawl, would be closing in December but made no commitment on the date Oakleigh would shut.
However, it is understood this could happen within the same month.
Paul Norton, director of the Welsh Independent Schools Council, blamed the impending closures on the Government's imposition of VAT on school fees and increased National Insurance payments.
He said there was a risk that any schools shutting would erode confidence in others and add to pressure to the private school sector across Wales.
Mr Norton, who owns and runs Kings Monkton School in Cardiff, said his school is secure but added: 'The blanket application of VAT fails to consider the unique role of small independent schools in Wales.
'These institutions are integral to our communities and policies must reflect their distinct contributions.
'Small independent schools of around 250-300 make up the majority of schools within the independent sector and cater for the needs of the local community of children who cannot successfully access mainstream state school for whatever reasons.'
It comes as the Government is being sued over its decision to apply VAT to fees, with separate challenges being held at the High Court.
Documents show Labour chose the 'most disruptive' start date for the raid when Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July last year that the plans would come into force on Jan 1.
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