Private school to close for good after 13 years due to VAT

Trinity Christian School in London Road was attended by 40 pupils and will close for good after staff said rising finances can no longer cover costs.

It comes after the government’s decision to remove the VAT exemption on the fees private schools charge, coupled with soaring business rates.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire private school sold for £4.5m after collapse

Our Lady’s Abingdon, a private school in Radley Road in Abingdon, which was founded in 1860, was forced to close permanently for financial reasons last year.

Meanwhile, Carrdus School in Banbury blamed the VAT tax hikes as the reason for its struggles and subsequent closing down as it was sold for £4.5m in 2025.

In February, Trinity Christian School said it needed to find £10,000 to fill an unprecedented funding gap after they lost 80 per cent of its support after it was cut last April.

However, they have been unable to raise funds to prevent its closure.

In the 2024 Autumn Budget the chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the introduction of VAT on private school fees from 1 January 2025, charged at the standard 20 per cent rate.

Trinity Christian School is a small independent family school for children aged 4-11 which “runs on Christian principles”.

Governor Keith Brown said: “The final £4,000 was raised but we needed way more than that to survive long term.

“Our second issue was the issue of teaching staff because of course, when staff knew the closure looked like it was happening they had to seek alternatives.

“The summer will definitely be the final term.

“This is a sad reality. The government policy of 20 per cent VAT and removing the benefit of business rates is adding to the burden for something we did get previously.”

A “goodbye” assembly was held last Wednesday, March 25 for parents, pupils and staff after 13 years in operation.

Mr Brown said: “There were many tears. Parents are devastated.

“Quite a lot of the parents have found alternatives for their children and there is a proportion who will do home schooling.

“However, there are no other Christian schools similar in the near vicinity.

“Some are going to another Christian school quite far away. Our school is small but we meet a very special need.

“Those pupils are going to struggle.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate reported in June 2025 that all relevant standards were being met – including quality of education.

Headteacher Naomi Moorcroft told the BBC that student numbers had doubled in 2024 when it moved to a new larger building.

However, she said the increase in costs in 2023 were associated with the move.

The school, which has a 40 per cent intake of SEN (Special Educational Needs) pupils, previously paid £5,000 a year for business rates.

However, the government’s policy change on business relief, means they ended up paying about £35,000 a year.

The school applied for discretionary relief from on business rates from Reading Borough Council but confirmed their application “was not considered eligible” and that they had a responsibility to “protect public funds”.