Starmer’s VAT hike will leave some GCSE students out of school by January, the council warns

GCSE students in Oxfordshire whose parents can no longer afford independent school fees could be left without a school place next month.

With the 20 per cent VAT on fees set to be introduced mid-term on January 1, the council has said most schools in its area will reject requests for transfers in years 10 and 11 “regardless of the reason”. .

Given there are 17 fee-paying private schools in the county, there are concerns the impact could be significant.

Oxfordshire County Council said it had “strongly” advised parents not to try to change schools during crucial exam years.

“Schools are unlikely to offer places while children prepare for their GCSE final exams,” a spokesman said. “Additional admissions at this stage could have a detrimental impact on children’s education and the efficient use of resources in the school.”

The council announced The Independent: “We have not changed our admission regulations in light of the VAT issue in private schools.”

The crisis for parents and young people being excluded from the private school system comes as Labor councils warn parents not to place their children in the middle of the school year due to the potentially damaging impact on their education.

The Labour-run Newcastle City Council warned: “Changing your child’s school can affect the child in many ways and the decision should not be made without careful consideration… Continuity and stability in a child’s education is very important and a Changing schools should only occur if…”It is considered to be in your child’s best interests.”

Labor’s Vale of Glamorgan said a “mid-year change of school or after Year 7 can seriously affect the continuity of a child’s education and cause difficulties around compatibility of curricula, testing arrangements etc”.

And the Labour-run Bridgend County District Council warned: “Transferring a child between schools can be quite disruptive.” This is particularly true for Year 10 and 11 pupils, as the subjects or exam boards are taught in a different school, even within the district, can vary.”

The government insists the VAT change is necessary to pay more than 6,000 state school teachers, amid allegations the last Tory government left a £22bn black hole. But critics say the move was rushed.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, which represents 1,400 private schools, said it was not too late for ministers to delay the policy.

Her organization estimates that nearly 3,000 students will change schools in January due to the VAT change, and many more will move in September.

“If they waited until at least next September, if not longer, it would give families a reprieve so they had time to plan,” Ms Robinson said. “And schools would also have time to plan the coming school year for their children.

“If there needs to be change, it should be done carefully and carefully, with attention to the impact on the psychological well-being of the children and the families affected,” she added. “I think particularly the speed at which these measures are being taken means that it puts undue pressure on families to cope with suddenly changing circumstances and that is causing stress.”

A government spokesman said: “Abolishing tax relief 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 thrive and thrive have.”

“We recognize the challenges some parents face and have therefore given sufficient time and attention to these changes. We expect the impact of these changes on the government sector to be very small. In-school admissions occur every year and local authorities and schools are used to supporting children in these circumstances.”