Posted on Wednesday 11th Sep 2024
A mother from Kent is hoping to launch legal action against government plans to change tax on private school fees.
Alexis Quinn, whose daughter is autistic, said adding VAT at the standard rate of 20% to fees will force many children with special educational needs into "unsuitable placements" in the state sector.
Ms Quinn has so far raised more than £72,000 to foot the cost of a legal challenge in the High Court.
The government has said children whose education, health and care plan (EHCP) states that they needed a council-funded place in a private school for specialist support will not be impacted by VAT.
Ms Quinn, who works for a charity, said her 12-year-old daughter Addison struggled to cope in state primary school and she was worried about secondary provision.
"Her mental health was so bad... headaches, tummy aches, couldn’t eat, can’t sleep, crying a lot of the time," she told the BBC.
Can't find what you are looking for?
Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.
Latest News
20/01/25UK and Ukraine schools to strengthen ties by swapping stories
New initiative for 50 schools launched as PM Starmer visits school No 219 in Ukraine
13/01/25Martyn Oliver on Ofsted reform: 8 things we learned
Ofsted chief inspector talks to education committee MPs on new report cards, safeguarding 'spot checks' and SEND worries
09/01/25Send is the 'biggest issue' for schools - Ofsted
Special educational needs and disabilities (Send) is the "biggest issue" affecting schools in England, Ofsted's chief inspector has said. Sir Martyn Oliver told the education committee that the Send system's high costs and poor outcomes represented a "lose-lose situation". Government figures for the 2023/24 academic year showed more than 1.6 million children had Send, an increase of 101,000 from 2023.
08/01/25Pupil behaviour 'getting worse' at schools in England, say teachers
Nearly one in five teachers in England has been hit by a pupil this year, a survey commissioned by the BBC says. One teacher told BBC News behaviour was a "never-ending battle". Another said spitting, swearing and chair-throwing were among the things happening often.
07/01/25A plan for better special needs assessment
John Wright highlights three improvements that parents and professionals should fight for with regard to the process for obtaining EHCPs for children
News Archive