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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'Councils also pay independent special school fees for around 38,000 pupils, partly because of a lack of specialist places in the state sector,' as in BBC News.
What role might private schools play in SEND reforms, considering their extortionately high fees?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What role might private schools play in SEND reforms, considering their extortionately high fees?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What is SEND and how might the system change in England?
The government is due to publish plans to reform the special educational needs system in early 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 10:56 AM
'Councils also pay independent special school fees for around 38,000 pupils, partly because of a lack of specialist places in the state sector,' as in BBC News.
What role might private schools play in SEND reforms, considering their extortionately high fees?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What role might private schools play in SEND reforms, considering their extortionately high fees?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We're launching a report we're excited about - on the experiences of English private schools that converted to academies!
Come and join the panel chat and audience Q & A in Westminster, Thursday 26 Feb, 6pm onwards...🧵
www.eventbrite.com/e/state-expe...
Come and join the panel chat and audience Q & A in Westminster, Thursday 26 Feb, 6pm onwards...🧵
www.eventbrite.com/e/state-expe...
State Expectations: The independent schools which switched sectors
A panel and audience Q&A discuss the history and experiences of English private schools that converted to academies and free schools.
www.eventbrite.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:53 AM
We're launching a report we're excited about - on the experiences of English private schools that converted to academies!
Come and join the panel chat and audience Q & A in Westminster, Thursday 26 Feb, 6pm onwards...🧵
www.eventbrite.com/e/state-expe...
Come and join the panel chat and audience Q & A in Westminster, Thursday 26 Feb, 6pm onwards...🧵
www.eventbrite.com/e/state-expe...
How convincing is this comparison?
Reform claim to have the interests of the British public at heart - its only when you see what they would do in office you realise whose interests they really have in mind.
February 4, 2026 at 12:26 PM
How convincing is this comparison?
Authorities pay private schools "£62k [for SEND places] compared to £24k in the state sector – the Observer investigation revealing that some schools are charging as much as £250k per pupil."
Terri White in @theipaper.com
How should the govt tackle this?
inews.co.uk/opinion/priv...
Terri White in @theipaper.com
How should the govt tackle this?
inews.co.uk/opinion/priv...
Private schools are profiting from SEND children
Children should be far more than sources of cash, their vulnerabilities viewed as multipliers
inews.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Authorities pay private schools "£62k [for SEND places] compared to £24k in the state sector – the Observer investigation revealing that some schools are charging as much as £250k per pupil."
Terri White in @theipaper.com
How should the govt tackle this?
inews.co.uk/opinion/priv...
Terri White in @theipaper.com
How should the govt tackle this?
inews.co.uk/opinion/priv...
"If the state is to invest in the education of all children, then asking the families who purchase a premium tier of schooling to contribute a little more is not radical. It is common sense."
Will this be the defining legacy of the VAT policy?
Will this be the defining legacy of the VAT policy?
Some policy analysis about VAT on private school fees, why it is set to raise more than originally forecast, and why this matters.
Please read, share, and subscribe for more!
open.substack.com/pub/barrybla...
Please read, share, and subscribe for more!
open.substack.com/pub/barrybla...
Policy Analysis: Why VAT on private school fees will raise more than planned, and why it matters
Policy analysis of a debate I was privileged enough to be involved in last year
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:17 PM
"If the state is to invest in the education of all children, then asking the families who purchase a premium tier of schooling to contribute a little more is not radical. It is common sense."
Will this be the defining legacy of the VAT policy?
Will this be the defining legacy of the VAT policy?
Britain is unique due to the 'rigid boundary between the two sectors', as opposed to countries where 'some state funding' is available for private education.
Hamish McRae in @theipaper.com
Is the reliance of the private sector on the state overstated?
inews.co.uk/opinion/stop...
Hamish McRae in @theipaper.com
Is the reliance of the private sector on the state overstated?
inews.co.uk/opinion/stop...
Stop bashing private schools - they make the UK millions
What is wrong with profits if they create employment at home and abroad?
inews.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Britain is unique due to the 'rigid boundary between the two sectors', as opposed to countries where 'some state funding' is available for private education.
Hamish McRae in @theipaper.com
Is the reliance of the private sector on the state overstated?
inews.co.uk/opinion/stop...
Hamish McRae in @theipaper.com
Is the reliance of the private sector on the state overstated?
inews.co.uk/opinion/stop...
"Striking, but unsurprising: the private schools which were built to train young Englishmen for empire-building were deeply racist even in the 1980s."
Letters in @theguardian.com
How fair is this reading of the role of private schools in British history?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Letters in @theguardian.com
How fair is this reading of the role of private schools in British history?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Racism claims against Nigel Farage are no surprise to us | Letters
Letters: Readers describe the ubiquity of racist attitudes and behaviours at British public schools at the time the Reform UK leader attended Dulwich College
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
"Striking, but unsurprising: the private schools which were built to train young Englishmen for empire-building were deeply racist even in the 1980s."
Letters in @theguardian.com
How fair is this reading of the role of private schools in British history?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Letters in @theguardian.com
How fair is this reading of the role of private schools in British history?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
"The government’s introduction of VAT on private school fees will raise £40 million a year more than expected, the OBR also states."
Jabed Ahmed in @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Approaching a year on, how much weight does this give to arguments in favour of the policy?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Jabed Ahmed in @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Approaching a year on, how much weight does this give to arguments in favour of the policy?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Budget 2025: what schools need to know
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget sparks warnings about a real-terms drop in school funding but includes spending on school libraries and books. Here are all the key details for the sector
www.tes.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:04 PM
"The government’s introduction of VAT on private school fees will raise £40 million a year more than expected, the OBR also states."
Jabed Ahmed in @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Approaching a year on, how much weight does this give to arguments in favour of the policy?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Jabed Ahmed in @tesmagazine.bsky.social
Approaching a year on, how much weight does this give to arguments in favour of the policy?
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
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...