At The Roche School in Wandsworth, we have decided to absorb the extra cost, so the amount that parents pay for curricular teaching this academic year will remain the same for each term.

We care deeply about our community and the future of The Roche School and will endeavour to mitigate costs while continuing to provide our high standard of education.

I think an interesting question to ask in conjunction to the VAT increase question is what are the actual fees being charged by each school. I can see that some schools are opting to pass on smaller % amounts to parents while others are passing on the full 20% but what does that actually translate to in real numbers? Some schools have been increasing fees year after year and these increases may amount to much higher fees so they can now pass on less VAT to parents when in reality they have been planning for and collecting that money for a little while and in real terms their fees are still higher than those that are passing on much greater VAT amounts.  

I also wonder if this year's 11+ will be less competitive because of the VAT implications?

Newton Prep, Battersea: +14% (incl. VAT) for Reception to year 8, but no VAT increase for nursery.

To be regular kept in the loop with media articles etc ,

There is a fb group , and twitter account , called Education Not Taxation: Parents Against School Fees

Update from the Sunday Guardian... "after publication of this story, the Treasury changed its line and said it was planning to stick by the 1 January deadline."

Some schools are potentially better value. You mention trips. At Broomwood, for example, residential trips are included in the fees. Their older pupils also do clubs and prep at school so you get longer day/ childcare included.

Update from Guardian on Saturday evening:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... te-schools

"Government plans to impose VAT on private schools from 1 January next year may have to be delayed...The Treasury on Saturday night refused to confirm that the plan to impose 20% VAT on private school fees would go ahead from 1 January, as confirmed by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in July, instead saying it would be introduced “as soon as possible”.
 

Finton 15-16%

Hornsby 12% increase for VaT (after an 8% increase in September).

These schools are clueless, Anyone with babies will think twice before trusting that the ridiculous fee rises now and in recent years, will soon make it all unaffordable. 

Remember, there is the expensive school uniforms to pay for and what are in effect compulsory school trips that can cost over £1000.

its time parents are not looked on as cashpoints any longer by Governors. 

Well at least private education is now going to be the preserve of the rich and as they are not charities; they won’t have to interact with the local state schools or communities that take up so much staff time and cost. They won’t have to give so many bursaries as parents aren’t going to fund them anymore (many schools are reducing them).
So some  benefits of the Labour policy that will help reduce school costs.

Yes fees will most likely go up again in Sept 2025 - I would expect 5% minimum
The schools are losing business rates relief in April 2025 and school fees have historically risen annually at a rate above inflation

We are just at the start of this journey and I have been interested, and a little scared, to learn what schools are planning for the January increase. Can I please ask, are parents expecting these fees go up again in Sept 2025? Have schools informed you about this in advance as well?

Ibstock Place is 8%

Emanuel have just confirmed their approach to the VAT increase as below (it was a very long letter so headline number only!)

From January 2025, a discount will be applied to our school fee base in order to absorb some of the
VAT cost. VAT at a rate of £20% will then be applied to this discounted figure, meaning that the total
costs to parents will increase by 14.92% (meaning termly fees increase from £8,263/term to £9,496/term)

They've reiterated their commitment to their outreach and bursary programme as well as the plans to build the new stem block. They've also extended the notice period to leave at the end of this term to the 1st November without penalty.

Dolphin School held an incredibly informative forum about the VAT situation which provided clarity on the school’s position.
The parents who attended were very supportive of how the school has handled the situation and are happy with the reasons given.
To have the school led by such a strong and dedicated team of governors, alongside an excellent Head is incredible and we feel very blessed that our children have the privilege to be at Dolphin.

Woldingham just confirmed at 15%.

Arts Ed is 16%