Hundreds of pupils have been left high and dry for September after a 160-year-old private school shut its doors for good, with bosses blaming Labour’s tax hike on fees and spiralling costs.
Our Lady’s Abingdon in Oxfordshire announced its immediate closure on Monday, leaving 360 children and their parents scrambling for places before the new term.
The historic Catholic school pointed the finger squarely at Keir Starmer’s 20 per cent VAT raid on private school fees, as well as Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s employer National Insurance increase, for hammering their finances.
In a statement, governors branded the closure “heartbreaking” and revealed a “sharp decline in pupil numbers” after fees – which averaged £23,040 a year – priced out families.
They said:
“A range of economic pressures has led to this outcome, mainly the introduction of VAT on school fees, higher National Insurance contributions, the ending of business rates relief for independent schools, and rising operational costs.”
The school had space for 540 pupils but had been running far below capacity. Leaders admitted they explored “every possible avenue to avoid closure” – including mergers and takeovers – but talks collapsed last week.
“Until very recently, there was genuine optimism that a solution could be found. Sadly, those talks broke down last week, leaving no viable path forward,” the statement said.
‘My son loved it there’
Parents were blindsided by the announcement, with some learning of the closure as the news went out on social media.
Mum Yasmine Currie told the Oxford Mail:
“Parents have been told at the same time this has gone out on social media.
It’s a small school and my son loved it there – he had a lovely group of friends – now I have to tell him when he gets back from camp he has no school to go to.”
Another parent added:
“It’s going to be very difficult now to contact the local education authority during the summer break.”
A former pupil told the Conservative Post:
“It’s unforgivable what this Labour government are doing to our country and now heartbreaking to see my old school close its doors. This is pure politics of envy and so many children are suffering because of it. I absolutely loved Abingdon. I have so many happy memories there and wanted to one day send my own children there. I’m heartbroken.”
Governors say they’ll now help families secure alternative places and support staff who have lost their jobs. A contingency plan is in place so Year 11 and Year 13 students get full help with exam results and next steps.
Our Lady’s is one of almost 50 schools identified by The Telegraph as having closed or set to close since Labour unveiled its VAT hit on private education – a policy the Government claims will raise £1.7bn.
Ms Reeves once promised “every penny” would go to state schools, but last month Keir Starmer revealed the cash would also be spent on an affordable housing scheme.
Another chapter of British school history, gone. And for hundreds of families, the scramble to save their children’s education starts now.
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