Record numbers of pupils apply to top state sixth forms for A-levels after VAT was introduced on private school fees, heads say

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A record number of children are applying to join top state sixth forms after Labour introduced VAT on private schools, headteachers say. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves ploughed through loud criticism in the House of Commons in October 2024 as she announced that, as of January 2025, fee-paying schools would no longer be exempt from tax.

In an attempt to fund 6,500 extra teachers for state schools across the country, the changes have seen independent schools forced to charge parents up to 20 per cent VAT.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the tax exemption was simply a 'luxury we [the government] cannot afford.' 

But now, just a few months on from its introduction, parents are being forced to move their children from private to public state schools for a sixth-form education for one 'very obvious reason', says the head of the Grammar School Heads Association.  

'I've had conversations with schools who are reporting increased interest from students currently completing their GCSEs in independent schools,' Mark Fenton, also a former headteacher, told The Times. 

'It's fairly obvious isn't it [why fee-paying parents are moving their children to state schools]? If you put fees up by 15 per cent, parents can save two years' worth of fees.'

Current state school headteachers across the country have indeed noted a marked increase in applications for an A-Level education at their sixth forms - particularly from privately educated pupils. 

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (pictured) said the tax exemption was simply a 'luxury we [the government] cannot afford'

Head of the Grammar School Heads Association Mark Fenton (pictured) said it's obvious why parents are moving their children away from private schools

The Government removed private schools' exemption from VAT in January 2025

Desmond Deehan, headteacher at North Halifax Grammar School in Yorkshire, has seen applications double in the last year. 

'We have had an increase in applications and that has included some private schools,' he said. 

'I couldn't say it's because of VAT but there is definitely more interest than previous years. We have been developing the market of our sixth form particularly towards the most academic. 

'We have had an increase in applications and acceptances from every quarter, of which private schools is one.'

Another reason why children are being transferred to state schools is presumed to be over parents' fears that a private education could make it difficult for their children to attend top universities 'due to the social mobility agenda.'

Such a theory is, however, disproven by statistics which suggest independently educated children are still over-represented at Oxford and Cambridge.

Managing director of The Good Schools Guide, Melanie Sanderson, also told The Times that Oxbridge will 'not be fooled' by parents who try to hide their children's GCSE private education. 

Rachel Reeves confirmed she was forcing private schools to charge VAT at the House of Commons in October

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Only 1.5 per cent of state school places may be unfilled in some areas

But as more and more privately educated children apply for a transfer, state schools are actually increasingly over-subscribed.

In fact, only 1.5 per cent of state school places may be unfilled in some areas, new statistics produced by the Department of Education for 2023-24 have revealed. Indeed, many local authorities had less than five per cent of spare places across their schools last year.

If such a situation persists in 2025, it would mean parents priced out of private schools could not be left with much choice.

A Government spokesperson, however, disputed such a claim.

'To suggest that there will be less choice for families is simply wrong,' they said.

'Fewer than 0.1 per cent of pupils are expected to move schools this year as a result of ending tax breaks for private schools, set against over one million spare places in schools across the country.

'The vast majority of families also receive an offer of a place at one of their top three preferences for school, but we will continue to work closely with councils, as we do every year, to make sure every child who needs a school place has one.'