A new poll has suggested 10,540 fewer pupils started the new school year at independent schools. Amid fears of the financial impact of Labour’s VAT raid, analysis by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) shows that there was an overall drop of 1.7 per cent in the roll last month. According to the data, the worst hit has been secondary schools, with a 4.6 per cent fall in the number of people starting year seven. It comes as Labour prepares to remove private schools’ VAT exemption in January, as opposed to September 2025 as many had expected. It comes as headteacher at Stafford Grammar School N…
