lollol

What I know as a state school parent, it would have been lovely if children benefited from the drop in numbers by having less children in their classes and more attention from their teachers. Many countries have 20-24 pupils in primary and 30-35 at secondary. We have 30 children here! PS - Yes, have children in both state and independent as not one size fits all in education. Sorry … the issue is that the government had said only children from compulsory school age would have VAT imposed. Many Montessori schools have mixed age classes so if 1 child is 5 in let’s say a group of 3-5 year olds, VAT is payable for all those children. This article explains it well. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/toddlers-caught-labours-private-school-tax-raid/#:~:text=Toddlers will inadvertently be taxed,“mixed-age” classes.

Frankly, this policy is getting more and more worrying every day. Now, if you have a child in a nursery class that is 5 or will be 5 in that year, the whole nursery class is charged VAT or for Montessori schools with mixed age classes. I do think VAT on private nurseries and private universities is next! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/toddlers-caught-labours-private-school-tax-raid/#:~:text=Toddlers will inadvertently be taxed,“mixed-age” classes.

Just adding a pinch of humour to this debate as you can see the parents staunchly for excellent state schools they can get into and then pretend their children are disadvantaged vs an independent school! This Labour peer was apparently talking about her daughter being miserable going to Charter North Dulwich! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13850981/Labour-peer-faces-investigation-accused-lying-debate-Keir-Starmers-private-school-VAT-plans.html?ito=fbmessenger_share_article-bottom

I just think there is a balance required. Pre booking means If you don’t attend, you often don’t get the money back. I’d love a pre booking fee to apply to the GP to avoid the waste in appointments!

Barely worn as outgrown too quickly Like new condition UK size 2 junior £15 Pm if you’d like more photos!

I agree. Everything now requires advance booking such that you have to pre plan everything vs being a bit spontaneous!

Hi, I have 100s of negatives (family photo related) that I would be looking for a service to scan and digitise them. Lots on the internet but keen for a recommendation. Thanks!

I think this is very valid in that state school families do not feel impacted at the moment by this policy but you may find it does when your children are in classes with 35-40 children, are made to sit on the floor to eat lunch (happy to share a letter from a state school where this is happening), when they take awat certain subjects, when VAT is imposed on anything that seems to ‘advantage’ a child (eg before and after school clubs, paid music lessons etc). I have children in both the independent and state sectors so please don’t say I am not giving state a chance, I have and it failed us for one child. Please continue to do your research and keep an open mind about the impacts on State, not just the independent sector will have on children, families and the economy .. Again, please do your research! Many people cite Finland but private schools are not banned there and do exist. What is banned is basic education for profit. Article below. Also there is a BBC podcast on whether UK schools are eduction for profit and in most cases, profit margins are very low eg 3% and reinvested in the school or to give bursaries / scholarships, for outreach to the local communities. https://www.aacrao.org/edge/emergent-news/private-education-is-not-prohibited-in-finland https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0021377?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile I live just on the border!

I think the VAT issue should not just be dismissed. You think parents sending their children to independent schools are all very wealthy and it’s not the case for all. I presume they will need to look for more lucrative income streams to avoid passing on the full 20% VAT to parents. It should not be underestimated what the VAT policy will do to state education and local communities (as well as the psychological and emotional damage it will have on families and children in independent education who keep getting forgotten as apparently they can just pay more). That said it is extremely poor form not to explain why they are ending this longstanding relationship and to seemingly have potentially singled out one club.

Southwark and Lambeth may have some spaces but this is not the case of other London boroughs nearby particularly at secondary level. Also this is not just a London issue. There are many regions throughout the UK that have no school places available (eg Kent due to new housing developments, rural areas, Surrey, Guildford, Edinburgh etc). Just because you feel it doesn’t affect you, does not mean it’s right. You also need to consider the proportion of foreign students in many of the private schools in the area which distorts the impression that local people can pay private school fees and suck up an additional £4-5k per child and per year. And sadly, the psychological and emotional impact on children is not even being discussed.

Step in a child’s shoes just for one moment and think what it would be like to have to move schools in the middle of the year away from your friends, teachers, community etc. due to a political stunt. I doubt the money will even go into education. The UK will be become the only European country to tax education. Primary schools have some capacity where I live but I have enquired and there are currently no places for secondary school where I live. Again, so easy to be smug and say we should have pre planned a potential outcome 5 years ago when you live in your £2-3m homes next to the best state schools in Dulwich (like Keir Starmer!)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/09/private-school-vat-state-school-class-size-emily-thornberry/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3w7JsL49tiz5vkpFM-B3kghjXopjWwAZEoQOK0MZm4qzDY_IN14mbHHLQ_aem_AV7RDKrEaib4mNro6xWJhuJwHNO6yRYBczcu452diJ4VBojTgPnBtDQKl_iFNs8ak2H_TGwZ8txmtKanh7mMVeG5

https://apple.news/AZzzO5gK5SAm0W0w6n0Rs5g Labour’s private school tax raid could cost the taxpayer £1.6 billion a year. Just adding a recent article for those that think I only posted one side to the story! Would love others to share articles as much as possible that include independent data sources. I was also amused with the recent thread of someone asking about renting to get into North Dulwich Charter. Another way of using money to get a better education for their children but it an opaque way!

Thank you, that’s helpful and a start!