Latest news with #pupilnumbers
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Private school pupil numbers dip by 11,000 after VAT hike - but Labour STILL claims controversial tax isn't causing exodus
Private school pupil numbers have dipped by 11,000 this year – but Labour still claims its new tax raid on fees has not caused the exodus. Official government figures show numbers at independent schools have taken a disproportionately large hit since fee VAT came in. The data, published today, calls into question Labour's claim that only 3,000 pupils would leave this year as a result of the policy. However, the Government immediately said it was a 'myth' that VAT alone caused the dip and blamed other pressures on the sector. The figures, from the Department for Education, show pupil numbers in private schools in England fell to 582,477 in January 2025 compared with 593,486 the previous year. This represents a 1.9 per cent decrease – higher than the 0.7 per cent drop in all pupil numbers across the state and private sectors. The data, from the school census, was recorded after Labour's tax came into effect on January 1 – following a manifesto pledge last summer. The fall comes after three years of growth for pupils at private schools. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said: 'These new statistics show that the drop in independent school numbers cannot be explained by the fall in overall pupil numbers. 'The Government's own figures now show that, in England alone, 8,000 more students have left independent education than politicians had estimated. 'This outsized exodus should concern anyone who is interested in this tax on education as a revenue raiser.' The Government previously estimated that only 3,000 pupils would leave the sector across the UK in the 2024-25 academic year due to the policy. Mike Stimpson, partner at Wealth Manager Saltus said: 'This 1.9 per cent fall may just be the beginning. 'Our research suggests we are likely to see further declines in private school enrolments as the financial impact of this policy becomes even more real for families. 'As more parents consider their options, we expect continued disruption in the private education landscape throughout the year ahead.' It comes after the ISC published its own census, also carried out in January, showing a reduction of 13,000 pupils across the UK schools it represents. A Government spokesman said: 'Today's figures shatter the myth that charging VAT on private education would trigger an exodus. 'The data reveals pupil numbers remain firmly within historical patterns seen for over 20 years. 'The 1.9 per cent decline in private school pupil numbers reflects the broader demographic trends and changes in the state sector. 'This manufactured crisis has failed to materialize. 'Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94 per cent of children in state schools, to help ensure excellence everywhere for every child.' The total number of pupils across England is decreasing because of a falling birth rate.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bulwell primary school axe plan prompts dismay and surprise
Parents have voiced concern over the proposed closure of a Nottingham primary city council has started a consultation over the future of Snape Wood Primary and Nursery School in Bulwell due to falling pupil has space for 210 pupils but currently has more than 80 outside the school they said they were worried about the impact on their children but mostly acknowledged pupil numbers had dropped sharply. If the plan goes ahead, the school is expected to close in August outside the school, mother Emma, 35, said: "It's a bit upsetting because all my children have come here, I've been coming here a long time and then we have got the worry of finding a new school."But it was at the Christmas performance when we were sat in the hall and we were really shocked at how few children there was."When my eldest was here there was 30 in a class and now there's more like 15."Her son, Jenson, 8, said: "I was actually crying because it felt like all my old memories were just gone."All my old friends might not come to the same school and I might miss them." Sandra, 50 said her daughter, Paige could be upset by the move."Since she has been here she has settled really well."She is autistic and has ADHD and so with those learning difficulties, they have done so much for her."So I'm quite worried really."She has had the same teacher since nursery and she doesn't respond to change well, so it could have a drastic effect on her." Carl, 35, who has two children at the school, said: "I couldn't believe it, I was really shocked."There is another school not too far away but they will miss their mates."They say they are closing it because the number of kids but when I'm here there seems to be loads of kids."Danielle said her daughter Bella was the last of her three children to have Snape Wood. "My eldest really struggled, then got a good teacher but when she left my daughter got left and didn't know what to do so that came out as being naughty - but she's doing better at senior school."My other two know how to learn so they have flown through - so it's been a mixed experience."My daughter's class is quite small, there's about 15 kids in it, and that's because so many have left."But it's not good that it's closing because the parents and kids are going to have to uproot and go further afield."
