Letter: Independent schools seek Blair pledge

Independent schools seek Blair pledge

Sir: The primacy of education as an election issue gives us the opportunity to highlight the uncertainty surrounding Labour's plans for the charitable status of independent schools.

In an interview on Sky TV last week, Tony Blair stated that "...parents have the right to choose private education if they want to... My poor old daddy worked like mad to put me through it ... that was his choice and I got a very good education".

To help Tony get his "very good education", the Blairs received help from Fettes College with the school fees. The school was able to do this thanks to its charitable status. The relief from business rates this brings enables independent schools to offer generous scholarships and bursaries, and extend access to some of the country's best schools to those who would otherwise struggle with fees.

Education has been established in law as a charitable activity since 1601 and only non-profit-making schools have charitable status. Any surplus money is put back into the school so that more children can benefit. In 1995-6, schools gave away in scholarships and bursaries twice the amount they gained from charitable status. For every pounds 1 in benefit gained, they give away pounds 2 helping children with fees.

If charitable status were removed, there would be far fewer scholarships or bursaries, fees would rise and schools would be forced to become more exclusive.

In its manifesto, Labour says that it "... will never force the abolition of good schools whether in the private or state sector ... We wish to build bridges wherever we can across education divides." Can it give a commitment, therefore, that charitable status will not be challenged by a Labour government?

NICK BEVAN

Chairman, Society of Headmasters and Headmistresses of Independent Schools

HUGH DAVIES JONES

Chairman, Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools

JACQUELINE LANG

President, Girls' Schools Association

MICHAEL MAVOR

Chairman, Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference

PAUL SPENDLOVE

Chairman, Independent Schools Association

London SW1