Boarding school raises fees for overseas students

A private school will raise its fees for international students, while lowering fees for British students, in response to the government's value added tax (VAT) changes.

Earlier this year, Labour announced VAT at the standard rate of 20% would be added to private school fees from 1 January 2025.

International students at Bedstone College in Bucknell, Shropshire, will pay £650 more per term, while home senior school students will pay £1,710 less.

"The impact on home students is going to be quite huge," said headmaster Toby Mullins.

"We're in the heart of rural Shropshire, and we’re not surrounded by huge population centres and parents with lots of money," he said.

Mr Mullins said that the changes were to ensure there was an affordable option for parents who had been priced out elsewhere in the area.

He added that by reducing fees for home students, it was hoped there would be an increase in numbers, which would make up for lost revenue.

In regards to international students, he said: "In comparison with other schools around us, we're quite good value."

"If we have to put 20% VAT on, we'll still be quite good value."

Bedstone College is a boarding school for boys and girls aged eight to 18, with day students from the age of four.

From September, fees for overseas students, who are from ages nine to 18, were £13,650 per term. From 1 January, these will rise to £14,300.

From September, senior school day fees for British students in Year 7 were £4,915 per term, and £5,710 per term for those in Years 8 to 13.

This will drop from 1 January to £4,000 per term.

On its website, the school said that an open morning for prospective parents would be held on 14 September, and there would be a dedicated page on its site with further details.

Labour said removing the current exemption from VAT would fund 6,500 new teachers in England.

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