I’ve been headteacher at state and private schools – Labour’s VAT plan will be destructive

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caught the public’s attention so much? It’s often explained in terms of our views on class and education – the “politics of envy” argument – and the need to tackle elitism in our institutions.

I have an unusual perspective on this, having worked in both sectors. For 10 years I was Principal of Kensington Aldridge Academy , an outstanding West London comprehensive which readers may know for its proximity to the. I left in 2023 to take on a second headship at Mill Hill School, a leading independent school in north London. I went to a state primary myself, and then a private secondary. I have held governor roles in both sectors, giving me an informed view all round..

At KAA we worked closely with our local independent neighbours. These were reciprocal partnerships, not the “posh school on the hill” bestowing their resources on us. Partnership activity took many forms: teacher professional development, leadership and governance, and shared student events.In one example, we had a small number of girls studying a fourth A-Level at Godolphin & Latymer School in Hammersmith each year, in subjects we didn’t offer.

At Mill Hill we work with a number of excellent Barnet state schools, and plan to do more in future. The introduction of VAT on fees will, I’m afraid, make this harder, as time and resources are diverted to meeting that challenge. It will also make it more difficult for independent schools to provide scholarships and bursaries for lower income families.

 

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