Jayne McLaren(Agnew)

Only 50 days until #SchoolFeeVAT is introduced and this new data, adds to a bleak picture. The impact of #SchoolFeeVAT on state schools and children's education is undeniable, it's clear that the Govt has got it's projections very wrong. Here's what we know: ⬇️ISC reported: A 1.7% drop in ind. school student numbers in Sept, including a 4.6% decline in Year 7 —around 10,500 fewer students on roll vs 2023. ⬇️In-year transfer applications: 200 LAs have reported 3,000 in-year transfer applications, with 85 LAs still to respond, suggesting around 5,000 applicants. ⬇️ISC report that 2,550 students have served notice to leave 900 independent schools in Jan, with the total across all 2,600 schools likely even higher. This is just the tip of the iceberg as it should come as no surprise that: Parents will protect their children’s education, they will strain every sinew to avoid in-year transfers, which educators recommend avoiding, especially during GCSE/A-level years. Parents will wait for the right "jump-off point" for an unfunded state school place. The Govt should expect medium-term displacement to be far greater than their projected 3000 in 2024/5 and longer term 35,000 The full impact won’t be clear for a few years, but by then, much damage will have already been done to children, state schools and our world leading independent school sector. Parents will seek a formal review of this pernicious tax and the Govt must be held to account each year. There is time to #FindABetterWay and @UKLabour should scrap #SchoolFeeVAT #EducationNotTax