Appeal court rejects latest challenge to adding VAT to UK private school fees

The appeal argued that the decision to add 20% to fees would make small faith schools unviable. Photograph: Lbeddoe/Alamy

The court of appeal has rejected the latest challenge to the addition of VAT to private school fees, telling parents they have the option to home school their children if they object to sending them to state schools.

The appeal was launched by families and leaders of four independent Christian faith schools, aiming to overturn a high court ruling last year by arguing that the decision to add 20% to fees would make small faith schools unviable and unaffordable, depriving children of their right to an equivalent education.