Wilmslow Prep School has taken the decision not to increase its fees in January when the new Labour government's policy to introduce VAT on school fees is due to come into effect.

Instead, it will introduce a subsidy which will cancel out the twenty per cent increase that the new policy will bring for the full 2024/25 academic year.

The Labour government highlighted the policy in the run up to the general election in July. It was widely believed the imposition of VAT on private school fees would be introduced for the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year.

The announcement VAT would be added from January 2025 caught the sector by surprise and has already resulted in a number of private schools announcing their intention to close.

The senior leadership team and board of governors at Wilmslow Prep have been working on contingency plans since the policy was first raised. This has included consulting with parents to seek their views.

Speaking about this, Headteacher, Bradley Lavagna-Slater said: "It has always been our intention to support our loyal parents as best we can. The early imposition of VAT has left little time for parents to plan which is disappointing.

"One Cheshire school has already written to its parents to advise them that they will be adding 17 per cent to their fees from January with others adding between 5 per cent and 12 per cent.

"Our decision has been based on careful financial modelling and is thanks to prudent cost control and financial management over the years.

"Clearly there will be a significant financial cost to the school but we feel that this is the best way to demonstrate our thanks and support to our parents so that the education of their children is not impacted."

Wilmslow Preparatory school on Grove Ave (Wilmslow Nub News)

Wilmslow Prep believe that their decision will be a minority one but is determined to support families.

As well as dealing with the VAT issue, private schools are also losing business rates relief.

Chair of governors, Diana Stephenson said: "The Labour government has served a double whammy on private schools. The impact of these policy decisions is likely to put significant pressure on the state sector.

"Private schools are all about giving families choice and, like private medical provision, fill in gaps in state provision.

"There seems to be a misconception that families sending their children to schools in the private sector are super-wealthy. That may be the case in some of the big-name schools like Eton but it is certainly not the case for a small school like ours.

"I am just delighted that we have been able to find a solution for our parents and we have had a really positive response from them."

"Moving beyond this academic year, we will continue to do whatever we can to support our loyal parent body."

Wilmslow Prep, which celebrates its 115^th birthday this year, currently has 140 pupils.

More information can be found by clicking HERE.

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