September 09: New pressures on private schools.

Welcome to Dean Associates' September 09 newsletter, providing relocators with a round-up of the top education stories for the UK.


Schools hold back on large fee increases

There has been slight rise in the fees for English private schools in 2009/10. Dean Associates' recent survey shows that fees for senior schools have risen, on average, by less than 2% over 2008/9 levels.

School bursars have advised that they are well aware of the pressures that many families feel in the current economic climate. Over the last five years , fees had been increasing by around 8% year-on-year.

Charitable status under pressure

The majority of private schools in the UK enjoy charitable status, providing them with substantial tax relief. There has been heated political debate over the value provided by this status, with commentators asking how private schools clearly “demonstrate that they bring real benefit to the wider public.”

In a recent test case run by the Charity Commission, two out of the five schools inspected failed to meet the expected criteria of a charity. The schools have argued that the boundaries were set too narrowly but this test could herald further legislation. There was a similar outcome in a test case in Scotland.

Losing charitable status will force schools to make good the financial loss, probably through increases in fees and class sizes (one of the private sector's chief advantages over state schools). It may also lead many to close their doors.

New diplomas introduced despite doubts

Five new diplomas have been introduced for the new school year in England, doubling the number of diploma courses available. They are intended to include a strong vocational element with extended periods of work experience, connecting students to the workplace, though still teaching the basic English curriculum.

Leading universities have commented, however, that though they would accept the diploma, students would need to undertake some supplementary learning, most probably an A Level, to make them competitive in the admissions process.


£2 million barrier removed for school sponsors

The government has announced that potential sponsors for their flagship “Academy” programme need no longer provide £2 million in advance to be eligible.

The academies are intended to help pupils in disadvantaged areas. The 200th has recently opened, with sixty-seven further academies due to open soon. Sponsors have included businesses, charities and Churches (the Church of England is the biggest sponsor).

Despite this worthy aim, academies have proven controversial. Although most are over-subscribed, some teachers and parents worry that a two-tier school system is being established.

Other news...

New international school for Surrey

The International School of London has taken over a private school in Woking to provide a new International Baccalaureate school in the Surrey area. The school will begin life as a primary school but will grow organically to include a secondary campus over the next few years.


Exam results improve. Critics grumble.

August brought the usual annual debate about examination standards. Over 97% of pupils passed their A Levels - the 27th consecutive year of improvement - with over 26% achieving the top "A" grade. Over 21% of pupils received "A's" in GCSE, again a record.

Interestingly the most recent results in the SATs, which children take in the final year of primary school, are heading in the opposite direction. In both English and Maths, the percentage of pupils achieving above the expected level has dropped.