All the elite UK private schools that are closing down after the VAT change

So, as of 1st January 2025, school fees at UK private schools are subject to 20 per cent VAT (like basically everything else is). Most schools coped with this by charging parents more money. Since the addition of VAT, loads of really fancy private schools across the UK have announced they don’t have enough pupils, and are closing down.

At least 26 UK private schools have announced plans to close so far this year. Here are all the elite UK private secondary schools that are closing down following the change to VAT.

Bedstone College

This boarding school in Shropshire is closing at the end of the summer term. The school attempted to attract more pupils by lowering fees, but this plan didn’t save the school.

The headmaster wrote in a letter to parents: “Over the past five years, the school has been sustained by significant financial contributions from its owner, who has remained deeply committed to its success. However, despite these efforts, it has become clear that the school is not financially viable in the long term.

“While the upcoming VAT on school fees and National insurance rise has added further pressure, this is not the root cause of our closure – it is simply the final challenge in what has already been an unsustainable situation.”

Bishop Challoner School

The board confirmed on 12th June the London school would close on 4th July. A parent told the BBC that this announcement was a “complete shock” and “heartbreaking”. She said that Bishop Challoner School was a “small, caring school” and not all private schools were “full of wealthy families”.

The fees for the secondary school are £19,686 per year.

Fulneck School

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Side point, but that looks like a great hill to roll down
(Credit: RichTea)

This one dates back to 1753, and is definitely shutting at the end of this term. According to the BBC, the school blamed this on “a continued decline in enrolment, combined with rising operational costs.”

The school is in Yorkshire and took children between three and 18.

Loughborough Amherst School

This school in Leicestershire is closing at the end of the summer term. It used to be called Our Lady’s Convent School, and was run by Roman Catholic nuns. Ten years ago, the school expanded and started admitting boys. The school had space for 600 students, but actually has less than half that there at the moment.

Moorland School

So, the secondary section of this Lancashire school closed at extremely short notice. Staff were emailed on the night of Wednesday 26th March that the school would shut on Friday 28th March.

A staff member told the Lancashire Telegraph: “It is absolutely terrible. All the children just got told they had to pack up and leave. The children were distraught. You have children here from China and Bermuda trying to get hold of their parents.”

The nursery and prep school is sticking around.

Queen Margaret’s School for Girls in York

Queen Margaret’s Girls School
(Credit: Gordon Kneale Brooke)

Last week, the school announced it would shut on 5th July. The school governors said: “Despite the tireless efforts of the School and the Board we, like many independent schools, have been unable to withstand mounting financial pressures following the introduction of VAT on school fees, increased national insurance and pension contributions, the removal of charitable-status business rates relief, and rising costs for the upkeep and operation of our estate.”

The Royal School

This prep and secondary school in Surrey was set up for the daughters and sisters of naval and marine officers. The school is part of a larger organisation called United Learning, which spent £16 million trying to get the school out of debt.

A spokesperson for United Learning said: “For a school with places for 350 pupils, the roll in September was projected to be fewer than 100. The financial support required to continue subsidising the school has grown to an unsustainable level and further reductions in pupil numbers would, we believe, increasingly risk compromising the educational experience of pupils.”

St Clare’s School

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A post shared by St Clare’s School, Porthcawl (@stclaresporthcawl)

The school in Bridgend County had around 150 students between the ages of two and 18. According to WalesOnline, a letter to parents blamed the school’s closure on “economic volatility”, “factors beyond our control” and the declining birth rate locally.

The Village School for Girls

In January, it was reported this school in London’s Belsize Park might close. The website reads: “The Village School for Girls is currently in a period of statutory consultation with staff regarding the proposed closure of the school. We regret to inform you that The Village School for Girls is not accepting applications at this time.”

The Village School for Girls only has 72 pupils aged between two and 16. The school is reportedly struggling due to lower student numbers, the VAT change and the rise in National Insurance contributions.

Wakefield Independent School

The school in Yorkshire will shut on 3rd July. Management have cited falling pupil numbers and the new VAT on fees as reasons for this. Parents told the BBC they were unimpressed by the lack of transparency surrounding the school’s closure. A mother of a student said: “You can’t fault the teachers and staff, but the way it’s been managed has been terrible. We had no idea this was coming. There’s been no communication really from the school since this happened and we feel like we’ve just been left by ourselves to figure out what to do next.”

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Featured image of Bedstone College by Paul Dickinson.