Private Education Policy Forum
@pepforum.bsky.social
Private Education Policy Forum (PEPF) is a think tank focused on reducing educational inequalities relating to UK fee-paying education, through academic research and debating events.
hello@pepf.co.uk
www.pepf.co.uk
Charity no: 1208045
hello@pepf.co.uk
www.pepf.co.uk
Charity no: 1208045
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Private Education Policy Forum
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It "made rich students exhibit more egalitarian preferences, and be substantially more generous towards other students"
How much relevance could this have for future reform to British private schools?
A PEPF research explainer by Prof. Francis Green 👇
www.pepf.co.uk/research/gen...
How much relevance could this have for future reform to British private schools?
A PEPF research explainer by Prof. Francis Green 👇
www.pepf.co.uk/research/gen...
Generosity, discrimination, and diversity in Delhi private schools | PEPF
www.pepf.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
It "made rich students exhibit more egalitarian preferences, and be substantially more generous towards other students"
How much relevance could this have for future reform to British private schools?
A PEPF research explainer by Prof. Francis Green 👇
www.pepf.co.uk/research/gen...
How much relevance could this have for future reform to British private schools?
A PEPF research explainer by Prof. Francis Green 👇
www.pepf.co.uk/research/gen...
"Rather than causing parents to pull children out of private schools midstream [...] the tax may primarily deter would-be new entrants to the sector."
@amberdellar.bsky.social in @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How does this change the VAT debate?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
@amberdellar.bsky.social in @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How does this change the VAT debate?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: Schools | Institute for Government
It will be extremely difficult for the government to meet its education priorities within the budget it has set for the coming parliament.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:39 PM
"Rather than causing parents to pull children out of private schools midstream [...] the tax may primarily deter would-be new entrants to the sector."
@amberdellar.bsky.social in @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How does this change the VAT debate?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
@amberdellar.bsky.social in @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How does this change the VAT debate?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
"It is important that [his] education, even at the early years stage, starts to prepare him for this kind of life"
@richada.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How much does this reveal how private education is used to provide a 'kind of life', beyond education?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
@richada.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How much does this reveal how private education is used to provide a 'kind of life', beyond education?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Smart money: family offers £180,000 a year for tutor to get one-year-old into Eton
Family seeks tutor from ‘socially appropriate background’ who can provide infant with ‘comprehensive British cultural environment’
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
"It is important that [his] education, even at the early years stage, starts to prepare him for this kind of life"
@richada.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How much does this reveal how private education is used to provide a 'kind of life', beyond education?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
@richada.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How much does this reveal how private education is used to provide a 'kind of life', beyond education?
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
The @suttontrust.bsky.social "has warned of a "double disadvantage" for children with SEND from poorer families, who are "less able to navigate the system than more affluent parents"."
Samantha Booth in @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How do we bridge this divide?
schoolsweek.co.uk/double-disad...
Samantha Booth in @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How do we bridge this divide?
schoolsweek.co.uk/double-disad...
'Double disadvantage': Poorer pupils less likely to get EHCP
Sutton Trust warns of 'double disadvantage' with poorer families 'less able to navigate the system'
schoolsweek.co.uk
October 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The @suttontrust.bsky.social "has warned of a "double disadvantage" for children with SEND from poorer families, who are "less able to navigate the system than more affluent parents"."
Samantha Booth in @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How do we bridge this divide?
schoolsweek.co.uk/double-disad...
Samantha Booth in @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How do we bridge this divide?
schoolsweek.co.uk/double-disad...
“Parents who are driving to the private schools are going to be people who can afford to pay”
Labour councillor James Taylor labels Oxford's proposed congestion charge 'elitist' as it wouldn't limit private school traffic
Is he right?
www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2533504...
Labour councillor James Taylor labels Oxford's proposed congestion charge 'elitist' as it wouldn't limit private school traffic
Is he right?
www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2533504...
Private school singled out in debate over contentious traffic measure
An Oxford City councillor has sparked a debate with a private school near Magdalen Bridge in the city.
www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk
July 29, 2025 at 10:35 AM
“Parents who are driving to the private schools are going to be people who can afford to pay”
Labour councillor James Taylor labels Oxford's proposed congestion charge 'elitist' as it wouldn't limit private school traffic
Is he right?
www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2533504...
Labour councillor James Taylor labels Oxford's proposed congestion charge 'elitist' as it wouldn't limit private school traffic
Is he right?
www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/2533504...
"Those children have been found places within the district"
State school places have been found for 88 children following the closure of Wakefield Independent School after the addition of VAT to fees
Encouraging news that these places could be found?
www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/education/pl...
State school places have been found for 88 children following the closure of Wakefield Independent School after the addition of VAT to fees
Encouraging news that these places could be found?
www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/education/pl...
Places found for children following closure of independent Wakefield school over VAT fees
State school places have been found for 88 children following the closure of a fee-paying independent school, a meeting heard.
www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
"Those children have been found places within the district"
State school places have been found for 88 children following the closure of Wakefield Independent School after the addition of VAT to fees
Encouraging news that these places could be found?
www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/education/pl...
State school places have been found for 88 children following the closure of Wakefield Independent School after the addition of VAT to fees
Encouraging news that these places could be found?
www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/education/pl...
Private schools are three times more likely than state ones to have a clear strategy on AI, new @suttontrust.bsky.social research suggests
@ruthlucas.bsky.social for @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How might this new form of inequality be addressed?
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-digital-...
@ruthlucas.bsky.social for @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How might this new form of inequality be addressed?
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-digital-...
New 'digital divide' emerges as private schools take AI lead
Private schools are three times more likely to have an AI strategy than state, research from the Sutton Trust has found
schoolsweek.co.uk
July 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Private schools are three times more likely than state ones to have a clear strategy on AI, new @suttontrust.bsky.social research suggests
@ruthlucas.bsky.social for @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How might this new form of inequality be addressed?
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-digital-...
@ruthlucas.bsky.social for @schoolsweek.bsky.social
How might this new form of inequality be addressed?
schoolsweek.co.uk/new-digital-...
"How does that make any sense at all?"
@1jeremyadams.bsky.social questions the blaming of VAT for the closure of a private school in Bromley, pointing to financial losses going back to 2019
Is this tax being used as a scapegoat for failing businesses?
uk.news.yahoo.com/row-over-rea...
@1jeremyadams.bsky.social questions the blaming of VAT for the closure of a private school in Bromley, pointing to financial losses going back to 2019
Is this tax being used as a scapegoat for failing businesses?
uk.news.yahoo.com/row-over-rea...
Row over reasons behind Bromley private school closure
Bromley councillors descended into a row over the reasons behind a private school’s closure, as the borough faces making a number of classes oversubscribed to accommodate pupils into state schools.
uk.news.yahoo.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:24 PM
"How does that make any sense at all?"
@1jeremyadams.bsky.social questions the blaming of VAT for the closure of a private school in Bromley, pointing to financial losses going back to 2019
Is this tax being used as a scapegoat for failing businesses?
uk.news.yahoo.com/row-over-rea...
@1jeremyadams.bsky.social questions the blaming of VAT for the closure of a private school in Bromley, pointing to financial losses going back to 2019
Is this tax being used as a scapegoat for failing businesses?
uk.news.yahoo.com/row-over-rea...
"Labour promised to recruit “6,500 new expert teachers in key subjects”, but the party has since dropped the commitment for these to be specialists"
Poppy Wood in @telegraphnews.bsky.social
How should the money raised from VAT be used to help this issue?
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
Poppy Wood in @telegraphnews.bsky.social
How should the money raised from VAT be used to help this issue?
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
Labour has no clear plan to recruit teachers despite VAT raid
The Government plans to attract 6,500 teachers over the next five years, funded by applying 20 per cent VAT on private school fees
www.telegraph.co.uk
July 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"Labour promised to recruit “6,500 new expert teachers in key subjects”, but the party has since dropped the commitment for these to be specialists"
Poppy Wood in @telegraphnews.bsky.social
How should the money raised from VAT be used to help this issue?
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
Poppy Wood in @telegraphnews.bsky.social
How should the money raised from VAT be used to help this issue?
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...
"The move by Charterhouse reflects a wider trend for UK independent schools to seek out less developed markets for international schooling," reports Irena Barker
Does this reveal anything about the priorities of British private schools in 2025?
www.schoolmanagementplus.com/internationa...
Does this reveal anything about the priorities of British private schools in 2025?
www.schoolmanagementplus.com/internationa...
Charterhouse to open Kazakhstan branch | School Management Plus
Charterhouse will be following in the footsteps of trailblazers Haileybury in Kazakhstan
www.schoolmanagementplus.com
July 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"The move by Charterhouse reflects a wider trend for UK independent schools to seek out less developed markets for international schooling," reports Irena Barker
Does this reveal anything about the priorities of British private schools in 2025?
www.schoolmanagementplus.com/internationa...
Does this reveal anything about the priorities of British private schools in 2025?
www.schoolmanagementplus.com/internationa...
More questions about the integrity of articles about private school fees in the @telegraphnews.bsky.social raised by @privateeyenews.bsky.social
Are some parts of the press making sensible discussion of the issue impossible?
Are some parts of the press making sensible discussion of the issue impossible?
June 30, 2025 at 6:50 AM
More questions about the integrity of articles about private school fees in the @telegraphnews.bsky.social raised by @privateeyenews.bsky.social
Are some parts of the press making sensible discussion of the issue impossible?
Are some parts of the press making sensible discussion of the issue impossible?
"It's difficult because people have a perception of what Bishop Challoner might be. It's so different from an independent fee-paying school."
Cameron Blackshaw in BBC News
Should this private school be treated differently, as a third of its pupils have SEN?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cameron Blackshaw in BBC News
Should this private school be treated differently, as a third of its pupils have SEN?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bromley private school parents fundraise to stop closure
Parents are hoping to raise £400,000 to keep Bishop Challoner School open.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 26, 2025 at 9:16 AM
"It's difficult because people have a perception of what Bishop Challoner might be. It's so different from an independent fee-paying school."
Cameron Blackshaw in BBC News
Should this private school be treated differently, as a third of its pupils have SEN?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cameron Blackshaw in BBC News
Should this private school be treated differently, as a third of its pupils have SEN?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The @dailymail.co.uk claim that private school pupils being charged a ‘staggering’ £16.50 for tickets to the theatre is ‘feeding into a national class war.’
Is this valid, or just a mean-spirited take on broadening access for state school pupils?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Is this valid, or just a mean-spirited take on broadening access for state school pupils?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Private pupils charged more than state schools to see Shakespeare
Groups of state schoolchildren watching performances by the globally famous company are charged £10 a head, while their private school counterparts are charged a staggering £16.50.
www.dailymail.co.uk
June 23, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The @dailymail.co.uk claim that private school pupils being charged a ‘staggering’ £16.50 for tickets to the theatre is ‘feeding into a national class war.’
Is this valid, or just a mean-spirited take on broadening access for state school pupils?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Is this valid, or just a mean-spirited take on broadening access for state school pupils?
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
"Yet to visit a single one in nearly a year in office"
@thespectator1828.bsky.social's Steerpike criticises @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social for not visiting private schools
Should she have done so?
Or is it right for her to prioritise state schools?
www.spectator.co.uk/article/phil...
@thespectator1828.bsky.social's Steerpike criticises @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social for not visiting private schools
Should she have done so?
Or is it right for her to prioritise state schools?
www.spectator.co.uk/article/phil...
Phillipson visits zero private schools in 11 months
It’s been quite the year for Bridget Phillipson. The under fire Education Secretary is now regularly tipped as one of the ministers most likely to be moved at the next reshuffle. Her Schools Bill has ...
www.spectator.co.uk
June 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
"Yet to visit a single one in nearly a year in office"
@thespectator1828.bsky.social's Steerpike criticises @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social for not visiting private schools
Should she have done so?
Or is it right for her to prioritise state schools?
www.spectator.co.uk/article/phil...
@thespectator1828.bsky.social's Steerpike criticises @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social for not visiting private schools
Should she have done so?
Or is it right for her to prioritise state schools?
www.spectator.co.uk/article/phil...
"To fit in, people say they start to change. Accent. Clothes. Hobbies. These are [..] survival tactics in environments that reward polish over potential"
@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How do we overcome this cultural divide?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How do we overcome this cultural divide?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If you went to state school, do you ever feel British life is rigged against you? Welcome to the 93% Club | Alastair Campbell
The civil service, judiciary and media are still dominated by the privately educated 7%. Lasting change is not a pipe dream – but it’s up to us, says writer and podcaster Alastair Campbell
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"To fit in, people say they start to change. Accent. Clothes. Hobbies. These are [..] survival tactics in environments that reward polish over potential"
@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How do we overcome this cultural divide?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social in @theguardian.com
How do we overcome this cultural divide?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Made by Parliament, in primary legislation, after full debate and was a manifesto commitment"
The legal challenge to the government's addition of VAT to private school fees has been dismissed by the High Court
Should the debate now shift in tone?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The legal challenge to the government's addition of VAT to private school fees has been dismissed by the High Court
Should the debate now shift in tone?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Private schools lose High Court challenge over VAT changes
Three high court judges have rejected a judicial review into the government's VAT policy on school fees.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
"Made by Parliament, in primary legislation, after full debate and was a manifesto commitment"
The legal challenge to the government's addition of VAT to private school fees has been dismissed by the High Court
Should the debate now shift in tone?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The legal challenge to the government's addition of VAT to private school fees has been dismissed by the High Court
Should the debate now shift in tone?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Today, because of that choice [adding VAT to private schools], we have announced the largest investment in affordable housing in a generation," proclaimed Keir Starmer.
Pieter Snepvangers in @telegraphnews.bsky.social [PAYWALL]
Has this story been overblown?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/ke...
Pieter Snepvangers in @telegraphnews.bsky.social [PAYWALL]
Has this story been overblown?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/ke...
Starmer accused of using private school VAT raid to ‘house illegal migrants’
‘Worst-case scenario’ for schools as money promised to education funnelled into affordable housing
www.telegraph.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"Today, because of that choice [adding VAT to private schools], we have announced the largest investment in affordable housing in a generation," proclaimed Keir Starmer.
Pieter Snepvangers in @telegraphnews.bsky.social [PAYWALL]
Has this story been overblown?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/ke...
Pieter Snepvangers in @telegraphnews.bsky.social [PAYWALL]
Has this story been overblown?
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/ke...
💰 Our new research, covered by @theipaper.com, looks at the private schools making millions in tax-free profits from overseas campuses 🌎
Are these schools' charitable statuses justified?
Check it out 👉 pepf.co.uk/publications...
Are these schools' charitable statuses justified?
Check it out 👉 pepf.co.uk/publications...
British private schools and their satellite campuses: 2025 update | PEPFArtboard 3Artboard 3Artboard 3Artboard 3
pepf.co.uk
June 5, 2025 at 9:40 AM
💰 Our new research, covered by @theipaper.com, looks at the private schools making millions in tax-free profits from overseas campuses 🌎
Are these schools' charitable statuses justified?
Check it out 👉 pepf.co.uk/publications...
Are these schools' charitable statuses justified?
Check it out 👉 pepf.co.uk/publications...
Reposted by Private Education Policy Forum
A report in @privateeyenews.bsky.social suggests that a @telegraphnews.bsky.social story outlining the woes of a family of wealthy bankers regarding VAT on school fees may not add up.
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
June 2, 2025 at 6:25 AM
A report in @privateeyenews.bsky.social suggests that a @telegraphnews.bsky.social story outlining the woes of a family of wealthy bankers regarding VAT on school fees may not add up.
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
A report in @privateeyenews.bsky.social suggests that a @telegraphnews.bsky.social story outlining the woes of a family of wealthy bankers regarding VAT on school fees may not add up.
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
June 2, 2025 at 6:25 AM
A report in @privateeyenews.bsky.social suggests that a @telegraphnews.bsky.social story outlining the woes of a family of wealthy bankers regarding VAT on school fees may not add up.
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
Do the press have a greater responsibility to contribute to the debate in a transparent fashion?
"By raising fees imprudently in recent years, the independent sector has deprived a tier of parents of financial wriggle room. This could have helped them cope with the imposition of VAT."
Jonathan Guthrie in @financialtimes.com [PAYWALL]
Do you find this convincing?
www.ft.com/content/be7e...
Jonathan Guthrie in @financialtimes.com [PAYWALL]
Do you find this convincing?
www.ft.com/content/be7e...
Spiralling school fees have made the blow from VAT much worse
By raising fees imprudently in recent years, the independent sector has deprived a tier of parents of financial wriggle room
www.ft.com
May 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
"By raising fees imprudently in recent years, the independent sector has deprived a tier of parents of financial wriggle room. This could have helped them cope with the imposition of VAT."
Jonathan Guthrie in @financialtimes.com [PAYWALL]
Do you find this convincing?
www.ft.com/content/be7e...
Jonathan Guthrie in @financialtimes.com [PAYWALL]
Do you find this convincing?
www.ft.com/content/be7e...
"We’ve heard a lot from the private schools over an extended period, scaremongering about the impact. It’s never come to pass," claimed @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social yesterday morning.
Tom Ambrose and Martin Belam in
@theguardian.com
Is this a fair comment?
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Tom Ambrose and Martin Belam in
@theguardian.com
Is this a fair comment?
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reform UK’s income tax plans ‘to cost up to £80bn’ warns IFS – as it happened
Research institute says costs of plan to exclude those earning less than £20k from the tax will dwarf those of party’s winter fuel and two-child benefit changes
www.theguardian.com
May 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
"We’ve heard a lot from the private schools over an extended period, scaremongering about the impact. It’s never come to pass," claimed @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social yesterday morning.
Tom Ambrose and Martin Belam in
@theguardian.com
Is this a fair comment?
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Tom Ambrose and Martin Belam in
@theguardian.com
Is this a fair comment?
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
"If corporation tax had been paid on the profits – at the 19% rate used at the time – it would have amounted to enough to pay for 12 million free school meals"
New PEPF research reported by
@conniedimsdale.bsky.social in @theipaper.com
What do you make of it?
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
New PEPF research reported by
@conniedimsdale.bsky.social in @theipaper.com
What do you make of it?
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
Harrow and Dulwich among top private schools making millions in tax-free profits
Elite schools, where fees have rocketed, use their charitable status to avoid paying tax on millions of pounds from overseas campuses
inews.co.uk
May 28, 2025 at 8:25 AM
"If corporation tax had been paid on the profits – at the 19% rate used at the time – it would have amounted to enough to pay for 12 million free school meals"
New PEPF research reported by
@conniedimsdale.bsky.social in @theipaper.com
What do you make of it?
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
New PEPF research reported by
@conniedimsdale.bsky.social in @theipaper.com
What do you make of it?
inews.co.uk/news/educati...
This article points to a drop in private school numbers and cites VAT, but also points out that last year was the second consecutive fall in numbers, which ‘peaked in 2023’
Is VAT the only reason?
amp.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Is VAT the only reason?
amp.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Number of Hong Kong students attending British independent schools drops by 6%
Annual census conducted by UK’s Independent School Council cites introduction of 20 per cent VAT as contributing factor.
amp.scmp.com
May 26, 2025 at 5:52 AM
This article points to a drop in private school numbers and cites VAT, but also points out that last year was the second consecutive fall in numbers, which ‘peaked in 2023’
Is VAT the only reason?
amp.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Is VAT the only reason?
amp.scmp.com/news/hong-ko...
Do these figures suggest the impact of the addition of VAT to private school fees is being overstated?
Looking at private school pupil numbers in the ISC census and they've fallen back to where they were in..... 2022. Not exactly the disaster many predicted....
May 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Do these figures suggest the impact of the addition of VAT to private school fees is being overstated?