Two private schools in London have closed their doors following the government’s VAT hike.
Park Hill School in Kingston and Falcons School in Putney both said Labour’s recent introduction of VAT on private school fees meant they no longer had the means to stay open.
The 20% tax led to a sharp drop in pupil numbers at Park Hill, the school said, while Falcons School said VAT and other taxes would force it to close at the end of the academic year, the Telegraph reported.
Parents of students at Park Hill School were reportedly shocked to learn that the prep school would close after 75 years.
Pupils were offered the chance to move to its sister school instead.
Amit Mehta, chief executive of the school’s owner, Inspired Learning Group, said: “Following careful reflection, we have made the strategic decision to relocate pupils from Park Hill to join our sister school, Westbury House, from January 2026.
“We are incredibly proud of everything Park Hill has achieved over the years. However, like many schools, it also faces challenges, and this evolution offers fresh opportunities for all our pupils.”
Falcons School froze its fees at the start of the year despite the introduction of VAT on fees.
However, it warned parents in March that it was “likely to close”.
A spokesperson for the school, owned by the Inspired Education Group, said: “As a result of the thorough consultation process, we have taken the difficult decision to close the school at the end of the academic year.
“The consultation took place as the school has been loss-making since we acquired it, with enrolment under 50pc over the last two years. This has been intensified by the recent government changes such as VAT.”
Around 100 private schools will close as a result of the VAT increase, ministers have said.
The number of private school pupils in England has fallen by around 11,000 since the tax was introduced, figures from the Department for Education show.
