Labor MPs shun private school principals at party conference

Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said money raised from cuts to private school tax breaks would go towards increasing the number of teachers and improving mental health. Support Photo: AFP/OLI SCARFF

Labour shuns private school principals at party conference as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to raid the sector for money for public schools.

‌More than 40 Labor MPs and peers were invited to a private reception with a group of independent headteachers on Monday afternoon to discuss plans to add 20 per cent VAT to tuition fees.

However, none of them showed up, The Telegraph reports. found out.

MPs, including members of the shadow cabinet, were invited because their constituency has a large number of independent schools or a large number of independent school parents as voters.

James Lockwood, headteacher of Woodhouse Grove School in Bradford, West Yorkshire, said it was «extremely disappointing» that no MPs or peers had come forward to discuss employment VAT policy in detail.

He said he wanted to send a message that the policy would «affect the least wealthy.» families have the hardest time» and will put additional pressure on public schools, making it harder for all parents to get into the school of their choice.‌

He added: «In short, we are not the enemy, we are just schools. which form a valuable part of the entire educational ecosystem in this country.”

«We would very much welcome the opportunity to have private conversations with MPs and peers to share our concerns and concerns about this policy, particularly in relation to the impact it will have on our local families and the education of their children.»

Woodhouse Grove School in Bradford. James Lockwood, its director, said the lack of input from Labor MPs was «disappointing»; Photo: Alami/Richard Walker

Philip Britton, headteacher of Bolton School in Greater Manchester, where one in five pupils receives a scholarship, told The Telegraph: “It was a moment that brought home the real impact of this policy — and I have yet to see any analysis of the impact on pupils, either by the government or government. no independent schools.

“State schools need more funding and the rather ham-fisted VAT policy for independent schools is a rather half-hearted way of achieving this. I'm concerned that this will hurt some schools but won't really benefit others.»

He said Labor's lack of participation at the conference was «disappointing.»

He added: «We are committed to making Bolton School as accessible as possible to as many families as possible.»

«Twenty percent attend scholarships, one in 12 are on a free place, but we also keep tuition fees as low as possible — we want to make sure we are both decent and affordable. A more expensive school is simply less inclusive, and that's a big sadness for me.”

‌The reception was hosted by the Independent Schools Council.‌

Rachel Reeves, Shadow The Chancellor confirmed on Monday that Labor would “end the tax loophole that exempts private schools from paying VAT and corporate rates”.

“Who has the most aspirations”

She said that if Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, wants to “fight about who has the most aspirations for our children, then I say go for it.”

However, some analysts warn the policy will bring in significantly less money than Labor promised due to the cost of switching dozens thousands of private school students into the public sector.‌

Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow education secretary, highlighted the policy at the party conference as a way to increase funding for state schools.

Speaking at a side event, she said she «cannot commit to exact levels» school funding under the Labor government.

‌She added: “But, you know, we have made it clear that we will end the tax breaks that private schools enjoy. And we will invest this money in public education. And this is absolutely my priority. We will use this money to recruit more teachers, better mental health support and a range of different measures that will ensure our children are better prepared when they start school and better supported while they are at school.»

< p>‌She said, “I am fully aware that there is much more that we need to do, much more that I want to do. But this is precisely why it is absolutely necessary to ensure economic growth. It makes this conversation much easier.”

‌The Labor Party declined to comment on private school admissions.