Julie Robinson

Ian Allsop questions Independent Schools Council head Julie Robinson about VAT on school fees and other issues

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has always been constructively vocal and fiercely supportive of its members, but in its 50th anniversary year, chief executive Julie Robinson has been busier than ever. Labour’s removal of the VAT exemption on fees for independent schools has gone from a proposal, to a manifesto commitment, to a concrete policy – with an earlier than expected start date of January – currently out for consultation.

Now that the focus moves on from fighting the policy itself to coping with its implications, what advice would Robinson give to schools? How, for example, can they further diversify their income to meet the challenge?

“It is hard for schools, but we recognise this is a policy the government is committed to. While we will continue efforts to oppose the policy on principle and press for exemptions and mitigation, schools need to prepare for January implementation. Budgets and fees will have been set for the next academic year, so schools and their families have very little time to review these and make adjustments.”

She says that the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association will provide updated guidance over the coming months informing schools of the practical steps they can take. “HMRC is expected to provide guidance too, since they have a large number of schools to register for VAT in a very short timescale. We encourage schools to maintain clear and regular communication with parents, ensuring all are abreast of the key facts and schools’ plans for the future.”

In the meantime, the ISC continues to engage with the government on the consequences of this policy for schools, families and communities. “In particular, pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, faith schools and specialist arts education.”

Robinson became general secretary of the ISC in 2015. Prior to that she was head of Ardingly College Junior School and then Vinehall Prep School, both in Sussex, before becoming education and training director for the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS). At IAPS, she served on the standing group of teachers associations and the Independent Schools Examination Board. She also chaired the Independent Schools Council’s Cross Association Leadership Group. As well as leading ISC she now also serves on the School Partnerships Oversight Board for the Department for Education, promoting independent-state school partnership work, while liaising with influencers in education across schools, government and the media, serving the interests of ISC constituent associations and member schools.

It has been argued in some quarters that some of the claims in sections of the mainstream press about the effect of the VAT policy have been exaggerated. Is there a risk that over-sensationalising it entrenches the ideological divide around ‘private schools’, rather than strengthening the very strong arguments around their invaluable role in overall education provision in the UK?

“The VAT on fees policy poses a very real threat to schools, and it is important to bring attention to those most at risk under the policy while challenging harmful stereotypes about independent schools and the families that use them,” she states. “It is also important that we do not create divisions between state and independent schools. All types of school have value across the education ecosystem, serving the children in their care. We share Labour’s goal of a great education for every child, and we’re keen to work with the new government to build upon the fantastic work already being done within the sector in the form of cross-sector partnerships. These mutually beneficial programmes, which involve state schools, independent schools, charities and local organisations, provide valuable educational opportunities to children and young people across the country. “

The wider debate around the charitable status of independent schools has been bubbling away ever since Robinson first joined the sector. But is there a real fear that removal of charitable status will be the next major battle, even though this has for now been discounted by the government?

“Labour has said that while it no longer intends to remove the charitable status of independent schools, it will scrap business rates relief from those schools that have them from April 2025. Though this would not apply to all independent schools, it has implications for the charity sector more broadly. It would create a two-tier charity system, setting a worrying precedent that any charity seen in some way as ideologically opposed to the government of the day could be subject to extra tax.”

While, obviously, the recent focus for ISC has been on countering the VAT policy, Robinson has also spoken out about other issues. Following the most recent set of A-level results in August, Robinson called on the government to focus on congratulating pupils for their achievements.

“This year’s school leavers will be the first in five years to have sat both their GCSE and A-level exams following disruption from the Covid pandemic. According to one forecast, up to 16,000 fewer top grades could be awarded if exam regulators “stick to their guns” and return grading to pre-pandemic levels after years of inflation. This would lead to the proportion of A*s and As falling to 25.4% – down from 27.2% in 2023 and 36.4% in 2022. I’m hoping it won’t be politicised, we need it not to be politicised – so I would hope that everyone from politicians to parents all just want to see children thrive.”

She continues: “I’m hoping that the focus will be on the success of those pupils and the results of their hard work – these are the children that have come through Covid. They have not had an easy time – I’m fully expecting the focus to be on congratulating their results, whichever schools they’ve been to.”

And there are undoubtedly other issues for schools to deal with currently, although “the VAT on fees policy is the most pertinent issue facing the sector at the moment, and indeed threatens the success and survival of the many schools already operating on tight margins”. But on top of this, independent schools and their parents are still contending with the cost of living crisis and high energy bills. “Schools also face wage inflation including increasing teacher pension costs. Beyond financial challenges, schools are navigating a variety of topical education issues, including potential changes to the relationships, sex and health education curriculum, calls to ban mobile phones in the classroom, mental health concerns and debates over the use of artificial intelligence in exams and day-to-day school life.”

For Robinson, ISC’s half-century year will clearly continue to be a busy one.