Has the government’s VAT on private school fees been fully reviewed?

State schools are showing very limited spare spaces in year groups across dozens of councils, raising concerns over how private school pupils, costed out by the VAT rise, might be integrated.

As would be expected,  Years 7,  8 and 9 have the lowest spare capacity – with families probably unlikely to move children during the GCSE period in Years 10 and 11.

Official government estimates suggest that the VAT levy will lead to fall of 37,000 in pupil numbers at private schools.  Because these schools are more often located in the busier urban areas they are likely to put strain on a state school system facing constant demand.

Some of the areas highlighted include many that are popular with relocating families, including Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond, Sutton, Bristol and Solihull.

At present, we seem to be in a phoney war whether numbers are fairly stable and many private schools have absorbed a large proportion of the VAT costs.  However, it is unlikely that will be sustainable in the long run.