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The Hidden Cost of VAT on Private Education

Consider a family who have made deliberate choices and strategic financial commitments to secure the advantages of a private education for their child. Now, they are confronted with the unsettling possibility of withdrawing their child from an independent school and re-entering a state system already under immense pressure. This scenario is no longer hypothetical. With the introduction of a 20% VAT on private school fees, it has become an immediate and pressing concern for many families across the UK – with families already paying between £15,000 and £60,000 per child each year, the 20% VAT has added between £2,500-£10,000 annually per pupil, a potentially devastating blow.

 

At Think Tutors, we work closely with families navigating the independent education landscape, and we are seeing the impact of this policy unfold in real time. Though perhaps well-meaning in its intent, the VAT levy is already creating significant and far-reaching consequences – disrupting educational continuity, compromising access, and placing considerable strain on aspirational households who have prioritised long-term investment in their child’s future.

Why Was VAT Introduced on Private School Fees?

Until recently, independent schools in the UK were exempt from VAT on school fees, a position that changed on 1 January 2025, following legislation introduced by the current government. This policy, originating in the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto, forms part of a wider political effort to increase funding for state education and to address perceived structural inequalities within the system.

 

The government argues that applying VAT to private school fees will generate approximately £1.5 billion annually – revenue earmarked to fund the recruitment of 6,500 additional state-school teachers and to enhance education budgets by around 2%. Advocates of the policy position it as a question of equity: with 94% of British children educated in the state sector, why should independent schools benefit from tax advantages?

 

On the surface, the logic appears compelling. The rhetoric of rebalancing a so-called “two-tier” system carries popular resonance, particularly among those who view independent education as a symbol of entrenched privilege. However, while Think Tutors shares the ambition of raising standards across the board, our direct engagement with families and educators reveals a different reality. In practice, this sweeping tax measure is already producing consequences that run counter to its intent – destabilising educational pathways and placing strain on both sectors in ways that are difficult to justify.

Impact on Educational Quality and State Schools

One of the most pressing concerns surrounding the introduction of VAT on private school fees is its cascading impact on educational quality across both the independent and state sectors. Since the policy’s implementation, we have observed a clear shift in parental decision-making: some families are re-evaluating their ability to continue in the independent system, particularly boarding schools, while others are opting to defer entry until Sixth Form, believing their investment may yield the greatest return at that stage.

 

On the ground, the implications are significant. Britain’s state schools are already grappling with large class sizes and limited resources – are now facing the prospect of a sudden and sustained influx of students migrating from the independent sector. The contrast in classroom experience can be stark. Even the most capable and committed state school teachers are constrained by class sizes that limit the possibility of tailored, individual attention. The arrival of ex-independent school pupils into this environment threatens to strain an already overstretched system further.

 

Moreover, any projected fiscal gains from VAT risk being offset by the real costs of absorbing thousands of additional students into the state system. With each pupil costing the government an estimated £5,900 per year, the financial burden could rise by close to half a billion pounds annually. In attempting to rebalance educational funding, this policy may inadvertently erode both its economic and educational objectives – diluting quality across the board and creating unintended consequences for all.

Widening Gaps in the Independent School Landscape

It is not only families feeling the impact of this policy; independent schools themselves – particularly smaller institutions without global reputations or substantial endowments, are now facing unprecedented financial pressure. While the most elite schools continue to attract international pupils and philanthropic support, many mid-sized and regional schools serve local families and are entirely dependent on enrolment for their survival. These are the institutions now most at risk.

 

Even modest declines in pupil numbers can have immediate and destabilising consequences. Some schools have already begun freezing recruitment, scaling back enrichment programmes, and reviewing their long-term viability – early indicators of a wider financial strain spreading through the sector.

 

Compounding the issue is a structural imbalance in how the policy is being felt. Reports suggest that a number of top-tier schools may now be able to reclaim VAT on capital expenditures, such as infrastructure projects – effectively turning what was intended as a fiscal burden into a strategic financial advantage. In practice, this risks deepening the very inequality the policy sought to address, further widening the gap between the most well-resourced institutions and the rest of the independent sector.

Opportunity at Risk

Though framed as a policy of fairness, the imposition of VAT on private school fees may, paradoxically, be diminishing access for the very students it aims to support. Many independent schools have long committed to widening access through bursaries and scholarships -providing life-changing opportunities to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Now, with 20% of every fee redirected to VAT, the financial capacity to offer such support is being severely constrained.

 

Independent schools also serve a crucial, and often under-recognised, role in educating pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. For a number of families, these schools offer tailored programmes and specialist provision that are either unavailable or chronically overstretched within the state system. In this context, the VAT policy has left many of these families feeling marginalised and overlooked by a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to account for their unique needs and circumstances.

Challenging the Fairness of Fairness

Alongside these broader concerns, we are closely monitoring the Judicial Review launched on 1 April, which challenges the legality of the VAT policy on the basis of discrimination. From our vantage point – working directly with families across the independent education sector, this policy does not feel like a move toward greater equity. Instead, it increasingly resembles a punitive measure imposed on those who have chosen, and carefully planned for, an alternative educational pathway.

 

For many parents, this is not a question of privilege, but of long-term commitment – individuals who have made measured financial decisions to invest in their child’s future. Now, they are being disproportionately affected by a policy that appears to overlook the diversity of families within the independent system.

 

The legal challenge raises important questions about fairness, proportionality, and whether sufficient consideration was given to the real-world implications for those most directly affected. It is not only a matter of legality, but of principle: can a policy that imposes such sweeping and uneven consequences truly be called equitable?

Rethinking a One-Size-Fits-All Solution

While driven by a worthy goal to fund state education and improve fairness, unintended consequences of the VAT policy are already being felt across the education sector. Rather than levelling the playing field, it risks upsetting the delicate balance on which a thriving education system depends: strong state schools, accessible independent options, and targeted support for those who need it most.

 

At Think Tutors, we firmly support the ambition of educational equity, but true fairness doesn’t come from a blanket tax – it comes from thoughtful, inclusive policies that ensure opportunity is not a privilege, but a right. We urge policymakers to engage in meaningful collaboration with those who live and work within the education system.

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School Admissions

Brighton College in 2025 – “United Kingdom School of the Decade”

Over the past decade, Brighton College has experienced a transformative journey, evolving from a relatively understated institution to one of the UK’s most distinguished co-educational schools. Historically overshadowed by renowned establishments like Harrow, Wellington and Eton, Brighton College has emerged as the record-breaking school for top exam results. In 2024, its pupils achieved a remarkable 99.3% A*-B rate at A-level, with 87% securing A*-A grades and nearly half attaining A*. This exceptional performance led to the school being named ‘Top School of the Year for A-levels’ in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2025. Furthermore, The Sunday Times honoured Brighton College as the ‘United Kingdom School of the Decade‘, praising its progressive outlook and emphasis on kindness and respect among pupils. This accolade reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, underpinning its academic excellence. In the following sections, we delve deeper into the key aspects that define Brighton College’s success.

 

As always, Think Tutors is here to guide you through the admissions journey for Brighton College and other top independent schools in the UK.

Key Facts

  • Founded: 1845 by William Aldwin Soames​
  • Location: Kemptown, Brighton (a coastal campus near the Sussex Downs)
  • Students: ~1,200 (co-educational, ages 11–18, with a prep and pre-prep attached)
  • Boarding: Day and boarding; about 60% boarders, 40% day (across 7 boarding houses)
  • Headmaster: Richard Cairns
  • Fees (per term): ~£10,000 (day) / ~£18,000 (boarding)​

History & Ethos

Brighton College was the first independent school established in Sussex, opening in 1845. Its Gothic Revival chapel and original buildings (designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott) give a traditional feel, yet the school is known as one of Britain’s most progressive and forward-thinking schools. In recent decades, under the leadership of Richard Cairns, Brighton has been celebrated for its inclusive and innovative ethos – encapsulated by being named “School of the Decade” by The Sunday Times. The college emphasizes values of kindness, curiosity, and confidence. Though once a boys’ school, it has been fully co-educational for many years. Brighton College has also been a pioneer in areas like mental health (appointing some of the first in-house counsellors) and global outreach (founding international campuses in the UAE and Asia). The atmosphere is often described as warm, with a lack of stuffiness – pupils and staff are on first-name terms in some contexts. Yet, the academic drive is strong. The school motto, “Discere, Servire” (to learn, to serve), reflects a balance of scholarly ambition with service and community engagement.

Academic Performance

Brighton College’s academic rise has been meteoric. It now consistently ranks among the top 5 schools nationally for exam results. In 2024, 87% of A-Level grades were A or A*​, an outstanding outcome. The GCSE results were equally impressive: 95% of grades were 9–7 (A*/A)​. A hallmark of Brighton is combining academic excellence with breadth – nearly all Sixth Formers take three A-levels and an Extended Project (EPQ), and many pursue unusual combinations (the school encourages arts and sciences together). There is a strong record of university placements: each year, Brighton College sends students to Oxbridge (22 offers in 2023​) and Ivy League universities, alongside elite medical schools and creative arts colleges. The college prides itself on identifying each pupil’s talents – be it mathematical research or writing and journalism – and nourishing them with dedicated societies and mentoring. Its STEM reputation is noteworthy: Brighton has high-achieving math and science teams (with international Olympiad medalists), supported by the School of Science and Sport facility. Equally, humanities and languages flourish, and the college has one of the highest proportions of students studying modern languages at A-level. Overall, the academic culture is enthusiastic and “all-rounded”, rather than narrowly competitive; pupils celebrate each other’s successes.

Recent Developments

Brighton College is renowned for its modernisation. A major recent development was the opening of the School of Science and Sport in January 2020 – a striking, award-winning building that combines university-level science labs with a professional-standard sports complex. This innovative space, designed by architects OMA, symbolizes Brighton’s commitment to cutting-edge education: classrooms have glass walls onto sports areas to illustrate the interconnection of physical and intellectual development. The campus has also seen a new Music School and Sarah Abraham Recital Hall added, and boarding houses updated with contemporary amenities. In terms of program, Brighton has invested in wellbeing and inclusion – it was one of the first UK schools to abolish the old prefect system in favour of a pupil parliament, and to introduce diversity training in the curriculum. The school has also expanded its global footprint with sister schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore, sharing best practices across its network. Recognized by awards for teaching and for being England’s most forward-thinking school, Brighton continues to evolve. Notably, it has championed gender equality (it was among the first co-ed British public schools to have a female head of school) and has a strong anti-bullying culture.

Facilities & Boarding Life

Brighton College’s campus blends Victorian architecture with ultra-modern structures. Set a short walk from Brighton’s seafront, the school enjoys both an urban setting and views of the sea. Facilities are exceptional: aside from the flagship Science/Sports building (with a 25m pool, strength & conditioning suite, and indoor sprint track), there is a dedicated Creative Arts Centre, a 400-seat theatre, and superb art and design studios. Boarding is arranged in comfortable houses mostly located on campus or in the surrounding elegant streets. Each house has its own character – boarders live in a family-style environment with houseparents, and even day pupils are attached to houses for community and competitions. Weekends for boarders might include beach barbecues, trips to London (one hour by train), or use of the sports facilities. The college has spacious playing fields a short drive away at the Falmer sports ground and uses local facilities for activities like tennis and golf. Co-curricular life is rich: Brighton is known for its strong performing arts (its dance and drama productions often win national accolades), as well as a broad sports programme – teams in football, rugby, cricket, netball, and girls’ football have all won regional titles. Unusually, the school timetable allows for a “no prep (homework) night” midweek to permit participation in over 100 clubs and societies. Boarders and day students mingle in these activities, creating an inclusive community.

Admissions

Entry to Brighton College is competitive, with main entry points at 11+, 13+, and 16+. The admissions process evaluates not only academic achievements but also all-round potential and personality.

 

11+ Entry (Year 7)

 

Entrance Exams: Applicants sit the College’s entrance exams in English and Mathematics.

 

Interviews: Candidates undergo interviews to assess their suitability.

 

13+ Entry (Year 9)

 

ISEB Common Pre-Test: The typical admissions process for Year 9 begins in Year 6 with the ISEB Common Pre-Test assessments. We recommend using White Dot Education to practice ISEB Pre-Test questions.

 

Orientation Day: Shortlisted candidates are invited to an Orientation Day, which includes assessments, interviews, and collaborative tasks to understand the child’s personality and potential.

 

Common Entrance Examination: For those at preparatory schools, the Common Entrance Examination is also part of the assessment.

 

Brighton College offers scholarships in areas such as academic excellence, sport, music, art, and drama. While these scholarships provide additional enrichment opportunities, they are primarily honorary. Financial assistance is available through means-tested bursaries.

 

The College has grown in popularity, with certain entry points, like 13+, experiencing high demand. Despite this, Brighton College remains committed to a holistic admissions process, ensuring that it does not become an “exam factory.” The process often involves collaborative tasks and opportunities to get to know the child beyond their academic capabilities.

Notable Alumni

Brighton College’s alumni network is increasingly distinguished. A notable former pupil is Stanley Baldwin, who served three times as Prime Minister of the UK in the 1920s–30s. In the arts, the college counts actors such as Simon Russell Beale and comedian Romesh Ranganathan among its Old Brightonians. Other alumni include military leaders, Olympic athletes, and business innovators. As a testament to its rising status, Brighton’s more recent leavers have gone on to prominence in fields from tech entrepreneurship to the creative industries – the school often celebrates young alumni who embody its motto by achieving and giving back to society.