A school in Reading is at risk of closure amid soaring financial pressures.
‘Devastated’ staff and families are fighting to save Trinity Christian School in Reading which faces closure amid soaring rates and the government’s controversial VAT policy.
Staff confirmed it could close as early as Easter if they cannot raise £100,000 to fill an ‘unprecedented’ funding gap after a 20 per cent VAT on private school fees was introduced last year.
The funding issue has been heightened by the removal of charitable business rates relief for private schools, for which the school has lost 80 per cent of its support after it was cut last April.
The school, which has a 40 per cent intake of SEND pupils, previously paid £5,000 a year for business rates.
However, the government’s policy change on business relief, means they are now paying about £35,000 a year.
They currently have about 30 pupils enrolled.
Headteacher Naomi Moorcroft, from Reading, said the rise in VAT has already caused some families to leave the school.
“When the policy changed, it was a massive blow,” she said.
“We really are a nurturing environment and parents choose to pay for that but because of the size of the school, we are unable to absorb the cost of the big change in business rates.
“It is totally devastating.
“This is more that a job for a lot of our staff.
“More children are leaving and we cannot increase our fees anymore because of the VATs.”
A meeting with parents and governors was held three weeks ago, to inform them of their current financial situation.
Mrs Moorcroft, who became head in 2015, said children are ‘angry and upset’ and parents are ‘devastated’, as there are limited to schools which would meet the special needs for their children.
She said: “It is such a big deficit.
“Our school is not Eaton, we keep the fees low so they can have a Christian, nurturing environment.
“We have a high proportion of send pupils and some parents are struggling to know what their options are.”
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by governor Keith Brown, who along with staff has made desperate attempts to save the school by asking Reading Borough Council for business rates relief along with other providers.
He said their only alternative will be to close if their funding target isn’t met by Easter.
Mr Brown said: “The reality is that the school, like many independent schools is under threat of closure due to two government policies and legislation.
“The VAT means we cannot increase fees for our parents because they already have faced a 20 per cent increase.
“We are not an Eaton or Harrow school. We are for people who want their children to have a Christian education that is excellent in a small, nurturing environment.
“Our school meets a special need. But some parents cannot afford fees because of the VAT thing.
“Our business rates have gone up by 400 per cent. It’s so frustrating and sad that it has come to this.”
Trinity Christian School has so far raised more than £3,300.
To make a donation, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/e7wnz-save-our-school
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