A charming little private school tucked away in rural Cumbria is racing against the clock to raise £180,000 in emergency funds, or it could close its doors before Christmas.
Hunter Hall, a prep school for children aged three to eleven, launched a crowdfunding campaign last week after a surge in fees linked to a new VAT policy left families unable to afford tuition.
VAT Hike Drives Pupils Away
The school says Labour’s new tax on school fees, introduced in January, has forced families to pull their children out.
Enrollment has tumbled from 100 pupils to just 79 over the past year.
Paul Borrows, Hunter Hall’s headteacher, described the sudden impact as shocking.
“The speed at which the tax changes came in was a surprise to many in the independent sector,” he told the Sunday Times.
“At times, it felt almost vindictive, designed to cause maximum disruption.
Seeing how it affects children is really hard.”
A Historic School in a Rural Setting
Hunter Hall isn’t just any prep school. Nestled in 19th-century farm buildings near Penrith, it’s surrounded by rolling fields dotted with sheep and offers tuition of up to £15,000 a year.
With 20 staff members, the school is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year — but the looming financial crisis now threatens that milestone.
Crowdfunding Offers a Lifeline
Since launching the online appeal, the school has already raised £119,000.
Governors insist that this funding is not just a short-term fix, but a way to secure the school’s long-term future.
Borrows, 42, emphasised the strain on families, many of whom run small businesses and are facing rising national insurance bills on top of the new VAT.
“They’ve been squeezed twice,” he said.
Community Rallies Around the School
With only a few days left before the Wednesday deadline, the school has been overwhelmed by support from local families, alumni, and new supporters from across the UK.
“It’s been astonishing to see,” Borrows said.
“People who have personally experienced the trauma of a sudden school closure have really rallied behind us.
It shows how much diversity in education matters.”
Wider Impact Across Private Education
Hunter Hall is far from alone. The Independent Schools Council reports that 57 mainstream private schools have closed since January, with 86 shutting down since Labour took office in July 2024.
Julie Robinson, ISC chief executive, warned that more closures are likely as VAT and other taxes continue to squeeze independent schools.
Government Defends Tax Changes
A government spokesperson argued that the VAT changes will generate £1.8 billion annually by 2029-30. The funds, they say, will support 6,500 new teachers and improve standards in state schools, benefiting the 94% of children attending them.
Countdown to a Critical Deadline
For Hunter Hall, the countdown is painfully real.
The school’s future — and the fate of its pupils and staff — depends on whether the crowdfunding target can be met in just a few short days. “We are not there yet,” Borrows said.
“The pressure is very real, and so is the deadline.”
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