The chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), Julie Robinson, has raised serious concerns about the government's decision to introduce VAT on independent school fees from January 2025. A legal challenge has been taken to the High Court, with Ms Robinson arguing that the sudden implementation of this policy has left schools, parents, and pupils unprepared.

Many schools believed they had until September 2025 to adjust, only to learn in July 2024 that the policy would start earlier, with full details not confirmed until the Budget in late October. This left just six weeks for schools to register for VAT before the Christmas holidays.

Ms Robinson, "It  is the sort of unintended effect that I do not believe has been adequately thought through by the government when designing the policy."

Ms Robinson criticised the government’s lack of consultation with the independent sector, describing the process as rushed and poorly planned. She pointed out that there had been no proper impact assessment, and many schools are now scrambling to adapt to the sudden tax changes. The ISC believes that this rushed approach is already causing issues, including increasing pressure on local state schools, which may not have the capacity to absorb new pupils if some parents can no longer afford private education. There are concerns that this could lead to overcrowding and inequality in areas where state school places are already limited.

Ms Robinson,"This is an unprecedented tax on education – it is right that its compatibility with human rights law is tested. We believe the diversity within independent schools has been ignored in the haste to implement this damaging policy, with families and, ultimately, children, bearing the brunt of the negative impacts this rushed decision is already having."

The ISC’s judicial review aims to challenge not just the tax itself but the way it has been introduced without sufficient warning or consultation. Ms Robinson stressed that the independent school sector is diverse and includes many smaller schools and bursary-supported pupils. She fears the policy could end up harming the very children and communities it was not meant to affect. The outcome of this High Court case could have long-lasting consequences for the future of private education in the UK.