Head at specialist school calls for VAT rethink

Jane Foster's daughter Athena started at Moon Hall School in September

The headteacher at a school for children with dyslexia is calling for an exemption for specialist settings when VAT changes for private schools are introduced.

Michelle Catterson is executive headteacher at Moon Hall School in Reigate, where many pupils have an additional diagnosis, such as ADHD, dyspraxia or autism.

She said the children that attended did so "out of necessity" not as a "lifestyle choice".

A government spokesperson said ending tax breaks on private schools would help fund its education priorities including recruiting 6,500 new teachers.

Michelle Catterson has been at Moon Hall School for seven years

Ms Catterson said a lot of families had tried other state sector or independent schools before coming to Moon Hall School.

She said about 70% of children at the 200-pupil school had an education, health and care plan (EHCP) with the remaining 30% privately funded.

The government said children whose EHCP states they needed a council-funded place in a private school for specialist support would not be impacted, because the local authority would be able to reclaim the VAT they pay.

Ms Catterson, who has been at the school for seven years, said she does not disagree that more funding is needed for the state sector.

But she said: "There is absolutely no way schools such as mine can absorb the VAT themselves, it's just not possible."

'Magical' school

Many families "sacrifice a huge amount" in order to send their children to the school, Ms Catterson said.

Jane Foster's daughter, Athena, started at the school in September.

Ms Foster, a childminder and nanny, said her partner worked as a firefighter and had a second job as a personal trainer.

She said a bursary from the school helped to cover the fees.

"We work all the hours under the sun. We ask for help. The extra bit that the government should be helping with is now going to be taken," she said.

Meanwhile, Athena said the school made her feel "free and happy".

"I love this school so much," she said.

Her mother said they wanted to find a school where Athena, who does not have an EHCP, felt "safe and secure" and where she felt "understood".

"I think here delivers all of that and more, there's something magical about this school," she added.

But she said she was unsure of Athena's future at the school if fees go up.

A government spokesperson said: “We want to ensure all children have the best chance in life to succeed."