Private schools say drop in enrolments mainly due to impending VAT on fees

Figures for England show state school enrolments have also been falling, mainly because of the UK’s declining birthrate over the past decade. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Private schools say the impending addition of VAT to school fees is a big factor in the drop in pupil numbers this year, ahead of the cost of living and the falling national birthrate.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) said a survey of 1,185 member schools in the UK found their rolls fell by 1.7% when the school year started last month, compared with 2023.