Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Private School Closures

Monday 9 September 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gareth Snell asked about the number of private schools that closed in England between 11 May 2010 and 5 July 2024, with the Department reporting around 50 closures per year and a total of 1,102 closures over the period.
  • St Joseph's preparatory school in Stoke-on-Trent is closing due to financial viability issues, prompting a question about support for the city council and parents.
  • Harriett Baldwin inquired about the role of schools in West Worcestershire in supporting children with special educational needs and the local economy, with the Minister reaffirming the Government's commitment to inclusivity and supporting those with complex needs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Education
Context

The MP is concerned about the number of private schools closing in Stoke-on-Trent and their impact on local education.

Question

What information her Department holds on the number of private schools that closed in England between 11 May 2010 and 5 July 2024?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

Excluding private special schools, around 50 private schools close each year. Some 1,102 private schools closed between 11 May 2010 and 5 July 2024. The number of pupils in private schools increased in 2023-24, and there has been a net increase of 13 private schools over that period.

Answered
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Q2 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Education
Context

The MP inquires about the closure of a specific private school, St Joseph's preparatory school, and seeks support from the Department for local authorities and parents.

Question

St Joseph's preparatory school, a small fee-paying independent school in Stoke-on-Trent, announced that it is closing its doors at the end of this year after a period of financial viability questions. What support will the Department offer the city council and parents in Stoke-on-Trent to ensure that those children can still access first-class education?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and welcome him back to this place. I am aware of the situation at St Joseph's preparatory school. Private schools are responsible for their own finances, but the Department stands ready to assist. The Government are committed to high and rising standards in schools.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support measures not provided

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Q3 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Education Children & Families
Context

The MP inquires about the importance of private schools offering places to children with special educational needs and seeks a commitment from the Minister.

Question

Malvern college, Malvern St James girls' school, Bredon school and other schools in West Worcestershire that offer places to children with special educational needs not only play an important role in our education system, but support the local economy. Will the Minister state that he does not want to see the closure of any of those important independent schools in West Worcestershire?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

This Government's ambition is that all children and young people with SEND receive the right support to succeed. We are committed to taking a community-wide approach, improving inclusivity in mainstream schools, and ensuring special schools cater to those with complex needs. Children whose places in private school have been deemed necessary by local authorities will not be affected.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on preventing closures not provided

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Q4 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
Education
Context

The MP anticipates challenges parents might face next September due to Labour's proposed education tax and seeks information on class sizes, full schools, and first-choice placements.

Question

At the start of the new term, we all wish everybody well for the academic year ahead. What will Ministers say next September to parents who find that class sizes are bigger and more schools are full, and fewer children get a place in their first-choice school due to Labour's education tax?

Answer from Stephen Morgan

I welcome the right hon. Member to his place, and I very much look forward to working with him to ensure that every child gets the best start in life. The number of children in private schools has remained steady despite a 20% real-terms increase in average fees since 2010, and an increase of 55% since 2003. We use indicators such as occupancy to monitor closures. My Department works with local authorities to help them secure places.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments on addressing concerns not provided

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