King Edward VI Preparatory School Provides Update on VAT Impact on School Fees

Following the government’s recent announcement to impose a 20% VAT on independent school fees starting January 2025, we have reviewed the impact this will have on our school community. While this change is happening sooner than anticipated, our commitment to supporting our parents remains strong.

From January 2025, we will apply a 4% fee increase for the Spring and Summer terms. The school will absorb the majority of the VAT-related costs during this period.  This approach allows us to reduce the immediate financial burden on parents while continuing to invest in the quality of education and facilities.

Our long-term plan is to phase in the VAT impact gradually over several years. By the 2026/27 academic year, our ambition is to limit the additional cost passed on to parents to no more than 10%, with the school permanently absorbing the remainder. This strategy ensures that we can maintain our financial stability while still prioritising academic excellence, pastoral care, and operational efficiency.

We will provide more detailed information on fee levels for the 2025/26 academic year in April. Our commitment is to remain transparent and keep parents informed throughout this process. Additional resources, including a dedicated webpage with updated FAQs, are available to assist with any questions.

Neal Parker, Head said “We understand that this VAT imposition will create concern for many families. That is why we are committed to managing these changes in a way that minimises disruption. By absorbing a significant portion of these costs and spreading the impact over time, we aim to protect our parents while continuing to offer the outstanding education that is central to our values.”

We appreciate the continued trust and partnership of our families and remain committed to delivering an exceptional educational experience for our pupils.