At Claremont, we understand how crucial it is to stay informed about the issues that impact our vibrant educational community. In recent times the most pressing issue for parents has been the potential introduction of VAT on school fees. The declared ambition of the government is to use the income from this step to fund an increase in teacher numbers in the state sector. It is hoped that this will raise £1-2 billion for the exchequer and it has been argued that independent schooling should be considered to be a ‘luxury’.

The impact of this policy is not yet fully understood. For most schools it will mean a significant rise in tuition fees. This in turn could put the future of many of the smaller independent schools in question as parents are simply priced out of the market. This is a major concern for many families who value the unique, nurturing environment that schools like Claremont offer.

Like many independent schools our parent body does not fit the stereotype of the ‘private school parent’ that is sometimes presented in the media or by some politicians. Our parents are often new to independent education and both parents will be making significant sacrifices in their lives in order to access it for their children. They are small business owners and professionals of all types. They make this commitment because they understand the added value, experiences and individualised education that we offer. It is worth it, on many levels.

Claremont School is in a stronger and more secure position than most. Due to the financial stability that comes with being affiliated with the International Schools Partnership, and through our commitment to providing a stable and enriching academic environment for its students, Claremont will not be passing on any further increases in fees to its parent community for 2024-25.

Ed Dickie, Principal, said: “We are delighted to say that there will not be any further fee increases at Claremont this school year. Being part of the International Schools Partnership gives us a financial security that provides certainty for our parents, as well as offering genuinely unique international learning opportunities.”

“In the long run, like all schools, we will need to work creatively to balance the impact and costs of VAT with the financial security of our parent body. In the short term, being part of ISP is transformative for Claremont and gives us options to support parents in a way that other, stand alone schools are unable to match. Our parents have been very grateful for the clarity that we have been able to give them for the next twelve months”

There are further suggested ripple effects that the introduction of VAT on private schools could drive a more competitive landscape, encouraging schools to innovate and enhance their offerings to justify the costs. Claremont is embracing this challenge.

“The basic truth is that the independent school market has been challenging for some time now,” continued Mr. Dickie. “Claremont is relatively unique in our area in that we are overtly an international school with opportunities for engagement with schools across five continents. The point of independent education is to provide a point of difference, something that is not offered in the state sector. The decision on VAT focuses minds to ensure that schools are at the cutting edge of innovation both inside and outside the classroom.

For us at Claremont, this aligns perfectly with our mission to foster excellence and empower each student to become their best. We see this as an opportunity to double down on our commitment to providing an inspirational, holistic, and authentic education that truly nurtures individuality.”

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