Mark Abell

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Nick Page |Mark Abell |Irena Barker

A global education group says it is considering the closure of a London prep school because of low pupil numbers. A spokesperson for Inspired Education Group said it was now “considering the future viability” of Falcons School in Putney, a small co-educational prep. It is understood that parents were told yesterday (March 11) that the school was “likely to close” and that a consultation would begin via email.

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Mark Abell |Irena Barker |Nick Page

Speculation has been made recently about the future feasibility of UK independent schools continuing to be able to provide bursaries and funded scholarships. Within the current economic climate, amid high inflation, increased National Insurance contributions for employers and the introduction of VAT onto independent school fees, there are undoubtedly increased financial pressures on schools and on their parent communities.

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Mark Abell |Irena Barker

Around a third of teachers and support staff in independent schools have been forced to take on extra paid work, citing the cost-of-living crisis and low annual pay increases due to VAT on fees, a survey finds. A National Education Union (NEU) poll of 4,000 teacher and 750 support staff members in England and Wales also revealed that 22 per cent of respondents’ schools had made redundancies as a result of VAT on fees.

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Mark Abell |Irena Barker

Politicians in Wales have voted to axe charitable business rates relief for independent schools, The Pembrokeshire Herald reports. The Welsh parliament voted 42-16 to remove the discount, which is enjoyed by 17 out of 83 independent schools in Wales. Independent special schools will continue to receive the relief. The vote puts Welsh charitable independent schools on a par with their counterparts in England, where schools are due to be denied up to 80 per cent off business rates from April 1.

1 month ago | schoolmanagementplus.com | Irena Barker |Mark Abell

I have been supporting UK independent schools to formulate and implement their international growth strategies for over 40 years. Yet I am struck by how it is only in the last few years that some schools are now looking further than the Far East and Middle East in terms of their international plans.