Bishop Challoner School closed at the end of the academic year on July 4 due to Labour's VAT hike, falling birth rates, and rising living costs. Following the closure announcement, the school admissions team received nearly 100 inquiries from parents and 42 applications for transfers to state schools. Cllr Kate Lymer confirmed that many local schools would exceed published admission numbers under the Bromley Fair Access Protocol to accommodate these pupils. Lymer stated the closure was primarily due to the government's actions, particularly the VAT hike that negatively impacts private education.
Cllr Lymer said: Regrettably this means that class sizes in many of our state schools will now exceed 30. However, I am pleased to confirm that all schools approached have engaged positively in relation to the admission of these pupils.
Cllr Lymer blamed Bishop Challoner's closure on the government, agreeing with the school that Labour's VAT hike for private schools was the key factor.
One Tory councillor even likened the current state of private education to a man struggling to stay afloat in challenging waters and said Labour's tax reform was like holding the head underwater until the body stops moving.
What is the human cost of this ill-perceived plan? At the challenge in the High Court recently, we learned that the Chancellor forged ahead with the plan, despite being warned by her own civil servants that it would harm poorer families.
#bishop-challoner-school #labour-vat-hike #bromley-council #education-policy #private-school-closure
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