Another Christian school buckles under VAT hike

Emily Pollok  |  UK & Ireland
Date posted:  24 Sep 2025
Share Add       
Another Christian school buckles under VAT hike

Tom Bowen of The King Alfred School, Dudley. Source: video screenshot

Another Christian school is joining the list of casualties resulting from the government’s introduction of VAT on private school fees.

The King Alfred School in Dudley, which provided classical education for children aged 3-13, announced its closure in August citing the impact of VAT as well as rising employment costs and the removal of charitable-status business rates relief. The school was also facing an increase in rent from its landlord, The Methodist Church in Lower Gornal.

King Alfred is one of more than 50 schools to shut down since the Labour government decided to tax independent educational institutions. Other Christian schools have also been affected, including Cedars School in Greenock which closed a year ago after providing Christian education in the area for 25 years.

Share
< Previous article| UK & Ireland| Next article >
Read more articles on:   education
Read more articles by Emily Pollok >>
World
AI and faith converge in Silicon Valley

AI and faith converge in Silicon Valley

Christianity and tech appear to be converging alongside the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the questions it’s raising for …

World
AI artist tops Christian charts, prompting backlash

AI artist tops Christian charts, prompting backlash

An AI artist recently topped the iTunes/Apple Music Christian charts, prompting a backlash from Christians and discussions over where to …

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access from just £18/year

Find out more

About en

Our vision, values and history

Read more