Another Christian school buckles under VAT hike

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.