Fifty private schools fold and dozens more struggle
as parents feel economic squeeze
By Kate Loveys
Last updated at 12:10 AM on 15th November 2010
At least 50 private schools have folded and dozens more are struggling as the economic squeeze drives away cash-strapped parents, a survey warns.
Some 38 schools have closed and 12 have been forced to merge in just three years, according to a dossier compiled by teachers’ leaders.
And many more are on a ‘knife-edge’, the survey of members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers revealed.
Independent school closures: Casualties include 300-year-old St David's School in Ashford, Surrey, a girls' school whose patron was the Queen
Pupil numbers are down in up to a quarter of independent schools this academic year, the poll of 1,365 teachers shows.
A swathe of expensive private schools could be vulnerable to closure as parents hunt for more competitive alternatives.
Stronger and cheaper schools are attracting pupils from costlier schools without a secure pupil base, it is claimed.
The survey shows that 16 independent schools have shut down or merged already this year, following 20 closures or mergers in 2009.
More...
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In 2008, 14 schools closed or merged. Since 2008, a further four schools renounced independent school status and joined the state system.
Many of these schools went under due to the recession, it is claimed.
Casualties include 300-year-old St David’s School in Ashford, Surrey, a girls’ school whose patron was the Queen.
To avoid the same fate, schools are increasingly offering fee discounts, holding fees down, marketing overseas and watering down entry requirements.
Dr Mary Bousted, ATL’s general secretary, said the survey of members laid bare independent schools’ mixed fortunes.
The divide between ‘strong private schools which are competitive and the weaker ones is getting ever stronger’, she said.
‘Regrettably I don’t think we have come to the end of the closures as we know a number of schools are on a knife-edge.
‘These closures have a devastating impact on pupils and staff – we know of several ATL members who have been made redundant at least twice when their schools closed.’
The ATL survey of teachers in UK independent schools suggests that 24 per cent of schools had fewer pupils this September, 27 per cent had about the same and 45 per cent saw an increase.
Nearly half of schools – 47 per cent – made spending cuts last academic year, with a similar proportion expected to make cuts this year.
One respondent, a teacher from Surrey, said: ‘Although we have lost some pupils, we have many more wanting to take up places as other schools have failed or have put up their fees.
‘Our fees are the lowest in our area – deliberately positioned that way!’
A second teacher, who declined to give details of his or her location, said: ‘Other independent schools facing a reduction in numbers have been poaching pupils by lowering the pass level of their entrance exams.
‘I am unable to order textbooks or equipment due to lack of funds/fewer pupils.
‘The school has over 100 fewer pupils in it now. All bar three staff are part-time and there has been no pay rise at all for three years.’
Other teachers said parents were increasingly attempting to save money by moving their children to the state sector for sixth-form studies (years 12 and 13).
A teacher in Staffordshire said: ‘On a knife-edge last year because of fewer students entering year 12.
‘Parents keep their children at school until the end of GCSE, but try to get them into a grammar or comprehensive rather than pay for sixth form.’
A teacher in London said: ‘Students are going to other schools because they can’t afford fees or they are offered scholarships from other local private schools.’
A census of 1,245 independent schools in January showed a 0.6 per cent decline in pupil numbers – from 511,463 to 508,234 – compared with the year before.
as parents feel economic squeeze
By Kate Loveys
Last updated at 12:10 AM on 15th November 2010
At least 50 private schools have folded and dozens more are struggling as the economic squeeze drives away cash-strapped parents, a survey warns.
Some 38 schools have closed and 12 have been forced to merge in just three years, according to a dossier compiled by teachers’ leaders.
And many more are on a ‘knife-edge’, the survey of members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers revealed.
Independent school closures: Casualties include 300-year-old St David's School in Ashford, Surrey, a girls' school whose patron was the Queen
Pupil numbers are down in up to a quarter of independent schools this academic year, the poll of 1,365 teachers shows.
A swathe of expensive private schools could be vulnerable to closure as parents hunt for more competitive alternatives.
Stronger and cheaper schools are attracting pupils from costlier schools without a secure pupil base, it is claimed.
The survey shows that 16 independent schools have shut down or merged already this year, following 20 closures or mergers in 2009.
More...
Revolution in schools funding as Whitehall takes direct control of council purse strings
Pupils make more effort with male teachers as they are seen as 'more fair'
In 2008, 14 schools closed or merged. Since 2008, a further four schools renounced independent school status and joined the state system.
Many of these schools went under due to the recession, it is claimed.
Casualties include 300-year-old St David’s School in Ashford, Surrey, a girls’ school whose patron was the Queen.
To avoid the same fate, schools are increasingly offering fee discounts, holding fees down, marketing overseas and watering down entry requirements.
Dr Mary Bousted, ATL’s general secretary, said the survey of members laid bare independent schools’ mixed fortunes.
The divide between ‘strong private schools which are competitive and the weaker ones is getting ever stronger’, she said.
‘Regrettably I don’t think we have come to the end of the closures as we know a number of schools are on a knife-edge.
‘These closures have a devastating impact on pupils and staff – we know of several ATL members who have been made redundant at least twice when their schools closed.’
The ATL survey of teachers in UK independent schools suggests that 24 per cent of schools had fewer pupils this September, 27 per cent had about the same and 45 per cent saw an increase.
Nearly half of schools – 47 per cent – made spending cuts last academic year, with a similar proportion expected to make cuts this year.
One respondent, a teacher from Surrey, said: ‘Although we have lost some pupils, we have many more wanting to take up places as other schools have failed or have put up their fees.
‘Our fees are the lowest in our area – deliberately positioned that way!’
A second teacher, who declined to give details of his or her location, said: ‘Other independent schools facing a reduction in numbers have been poaching pupils by lowering the pass level of their entrance exams.
‘I am unable to order textbooks or equipment due to lack of funds/fewer pupils.
‘The school has over 100 fewer pupils in it now. All bar three staff are part-time and there has been no pay rise at all for three years.’
Other teachers said parents were increasingly attempting to save money by moving their children to the state sector for sixth-form studies (years 12 and 13).
A teacher in Staffordshire said: ‘On a knife-edge last year because of fewer students entering year 12.
‘Parents keep their children at school until the end of GCSE, but try to get them into a grammar or comprehensive rather than pay for sixth form.’
A teacher in London said: ‘Students are going to other schools because they can’t afford fees or they are offered scholarships from other local private schools.’
A census of 1,245 independent schools in January showed a 0.6 per cent decline in pupil numbers – from 511,463 to 508,234 – compared with the year before.
