Prep school hailed as Tatler’s best in Britain four years ago becomes latest victim of Labour’s war on private education as it announces closure over ‘taxation pressures’_Nhy
A prep school hailed as the best in Britain by Society bible Tatler less than four years ago is to shut citing ‘substantial taxation pressures’.
Earlier this month, Treasury Minister Torsten Bell admitted Labour‘s crippling raid on private schools – with the imposition of VAT plus rises in National Insurance and removal of business rate relief – could see 100 closures.
The Independent Schools Bursars Association has predicted the impact could be worse still, forecasting 286 private schools could close, 11 per cent of Britain’s 2,600 total.
Now St Anselm’s Prep School, in Bakewell, Derbyshire, which dates back nearly 140 years, has become the latest victim of the hated Left-wing policies.
Parents have been left outraged by the decision, announced in a letter from the chair of governors.
In October 2021, St Anselm’s was named Tatler’s Prep School of the Year, with judges praising its ‘blend of tradition and innovation’.
The school was also applauded for its ‘tireless approach’ to ensure no child was ‘left behind’ during lockdown.
But in his letter on Monday, Paul Houghton, chair of the board of governors, said: ‘We are deeply upset to have reached the point where there are no viable options for St Anselm’s as an independent prep school.’
Parent Andrew Rowe, 49, is a director and parent at St Anselm’s Prep School
Treasury Minister Torsten Bell admitted Labour’s raid on private schools could see 100 closures
Mr Houghton said the closure, after the summer term, came against ‘unrelenting headwinds’, with the school ‘operating at a financial loss’.
‘Adding to this, the substantial recent government taxation pressures on all independent schools, it is now unsustainable to keep the school open’.
The school was founded by Cambridge-educated naturalist William Storrs-Fox in 1888 and has 123 pupils aged between two and 13, plus 54 staff.
Two years ago, it sought greater financial stability by becoming part of Birkdale School, an independent secondary school in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
Parent Andrew Rowe, 49, a director, whose youngest son Christian, 11, is a pupil, and whose elder son Alexander, 14, also went to St Anselm’s, said: ‘The parents, pupils and staff are extremely saddened.
‘This whole VAT on schools thing just won (Labour) votes from people against private education but those who make the sacrifices in terms of paying the fees, they are not majorly wealthy people, they are just working month-to-month.
‘The people who have trust funds, squillions in the bank, they paid fees up front ahead of VAT coming in, so haven’t been hit.
‘The people hit are those who are struggling to meet the fees but want the best for their children.
Mr Rose said the people who are struggling to meet the fees but want the best for their children have been hit the hardest
The Independent Schools Bursars Association has predicted 286 private schools could close. Pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson
‘Keir Starmer himself went to a grammar school before it became fee paying, and if you wanted to get your child into a particular grammar school in those days you had to have a lot of sway as parents – making his parents the same as us.’
Mr Rowe, who went to St Anselm’s himself in the 1980s, said the school closure would ‘break up’ what he likened to a ‘family unit’.
One parent who did not wish to be named accused the government of ‘destroying freedom of choice’ for parents ‘and most importantly, the stability and wellbeing of our children’.
She said: ‘What is being overlooked in is ultimately who this is impacting the most: our children. The future generations of our country.
‘Schools (are being) forced to shut because they are being penalised for the background of the families who go there. Teachers out of work. Friendship groups ripped apart. Years of service, commitment and hard work, just gone.’
Tory peer and former cabinet minister Lord McLoughlin, whose former Derbyshire Dales constituency includes Bakewell, said: ‘It’s tragic to see the closure of a school like this that’s served the area for many years.
‘It’s partly a consequence of VAT and other pressures being put onto the private school sector, which is a great pity. Schools like this weren’t in competition with the state system – they relieved it.’
Paul Houghton, chair of the Board of Governors at St Anselm’s, said: ‘This has been an incredibly difficult decision which no one wanted to make.
‘Our priority now is working with the children and their families, our teachers and staff, and the wider community who are impacted by this decision.’
A government spokesperson said: ‘Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94% of children in state schools to achieve and thrive.
‘On average, around 50 mainstream private schools typically close each year. This is due to a range of reasons, including financial struggles and school standards issues.
‘Local authorities and schools commonly support children and parents in these circumstances, we are confident in local state schools’ ability to accommodate new pupils.’
