‘Distraught’ families say they may have to homeschool SEND children if school forced to close amid VAT raid
The “miserable” families are struggling to save a private school that is facing closure in a few days between rising financial pressures and the controversial VAT policy of the government.
A 48 -year -old mother, Independent If the Bishop Challoner School in Bromley closes the last day of this academic year as planned, his son, who has special education needs (send), will not have any other option than home education.
According to the last year’s report of the Independent School Inspectorate, 94 of the 271 students of the school sent. According to the government’s January 2024 figures, approximately 35 percent of these students – almost 18 percent of all students in the UK are twice as much as 18 percent.
The school said that with falling birth rates, increasing living costs and VAT rule contribute to problems, it has become an increasingly difficult environment for schools. The Minister said that other government policies, such as the increase in the increase in the employers and the abolition of the elimination of rates, said.
The fees for the baby years of the private school began at £ 4,591 in a period of VAT and rose to £ 6,562 for secondary school students and received scholarships for “extraordinary success”.
A father said that his five -year -old child had a “ruined” reaction, and he pushed him to establish a group to unite his forces in the efforts of the parents to save the school, Donors were born. In the meeting, where the closing of the school was announced, “Every parent participating ‘rolled your arms by rolling your arms, we will fight for this school’ ‘.
40 -year -old Stacy Long said his son Paddy Dowling Long was going to school. The 40 -year -old father said: “It was absolutely miserable for a few hours. He blown me up. I couldn’t believe his commitment.
“Shy and rejected the first day of school. To see their social development – there must be a struggle to keep school alive.”
The mother, who wants to stay anonymous, announced that many parents whose needs are not met in the state industry have chosen Bishop Challoner in South London, because “presented an area with excellent pastoral care”.
He said that he had been in a two -year war to get a education, health and care plan for his son (EHCP) and found the process “impossible .. EHCPs aim to ensure that children receive the support they need, and many parents report difficulties in securing them through their local authorities.
Speaking about his son, the mother said: “All staff went upstairs and beyond to support him, and despite a difficult start and many ups and downs, two -year hard work, courtesy, patience, and even some friends, even some friends, even some friends. Even, he started to discover a confidence and purpose.
“This is now all disintegration and we do not have an alternative without a EHCP, so I will be forced to study at home from September. Especially all his social progress will probably be lost and I am very worried about what the future is holding for him.”
Mr. Long explained the strong “wonderful” community built at school. His mother said that while he was working at school for 35 years, he and his wife went there and met there. “It would be destructive to see it disappeared,” he said.
The government’s 20 percent VAT implementation policy came into force on 1 January and reacted too much from the sector. Keir Starmer insisted that tax will provide more funds for public schools, and therefore “increase the standards için for the majority that cannot meet the increasing wage in the independent sector.
In early June, Bishop made a statement explaining the closing of Challoner: “This was an incredibly difficult decision that he made every effort to avoid the school.
“Despite the leadership of the school and the special efforts of the staff, the Bishop Challoner School has been affected by a wider more compelling environment for schools. The influence of the VAT on the number of students has seen a significant decrease in the number of students. In the last years.
“Together, these factors brought an important burden on the financial sustainability of the school.”
An British government spokesman said: “The termination of tax cuts for private schools will increase by $ 1.8 billion per year until 2029/30 to finance public services, including 94 percent of children in public schools to achieve and develop.
“On average, about 50 mainstream private schools are usually closing every year. This is due to various reasons, including financial struggles and school standards problems.
“Local authorities and schools often support children and parents under these conditions, we rely on the ability of local public schools to host new students.”
According to the latest government figures, the number of students in private schools in the UK fell after the release of VAT with wages. According to the data of the Education Department (DFE), there were about 11,000 less students in private schools in January. However, DFE suggested that this is “primarily caused by demographic changes”.
However, data does not tend to close independent schools and have been opened 35 since last year.
Bishop Challoner School Fell IndependentRequest for a comment.
