Mary Banks-Murayama, Managing Director of Education Advisers, remembers visiting Queen Margaret's School a few years ago to present a Best-Schools Crystal Award to the headteacher for their outstanding A-Level results and being struck by the wonderful atmosphere, describing it as "a community of down-to-earth, unpretentious girls supported by dedicated and hardworking staff". Now this lovely school is the latest victim of the current government’s over-simplistic attempt to level the educational playing field.
As of January 2025, the Labour government introduced a 20% VAT on private school fees, fulfilling a key manifesto pledge aimed at increasing funding for state education. The policy also removed charitable tax reliefs, including business rates exemptions, and increased employer contributions to national insurance and pensions. While intended to level the playing field between state and private education, the policy has disproportionately affected smaller independent schools and as the summer term concludes, we fear that more closures may be announced.
Whilst nobody could argue with the government’s determination to improve the quality of state education, the devastating impact of these measures on so many ordinary hardworking people is unforgivable and to my mind massively short-sighted. It is not the super rich, ultra-privileged elite that will suffer. They will simply take their money elsewhere and doors will open for their children in other schools.
It is hard to overstate the distress caused by a school closure, not just to students and their families but to the community which schools are an intrinsic part of. Long-established schools like Queen Margaret’s, founded in 1901, not only provide an education for the children they serve but are often major local employers, not to mention bringing business to their local economy.
As families navigate these changes, it's essential to seek impartial advice and support. Education Advisers are committed to providing tailored guidance to those affected by such closures.