Independent schools are overwhelmingly rejecting the government’s attempts to make them forge closer ties with Academies in order to pass new ‘public benefit’ tests, according to new research from Zurich.
A study of over 100 heads and bursars from the country’s 1,700 fee paying schools found that just six per cent have looked to sponsor an Academy school with just two per cent considering doing so in the future – a similar proportion to those who will consider converting to Academy status in order to meet the Charity Commission’s controversial guidelines requiring fee-paying schools to pass a public benefit test.
Eighteen months on from the Commission’s proposals first being published, nearly one in five (18 per cent) independent schools is still not clear on the draft guidance – or the nature of the test they will need to pass.
But it seems that the potential costs of implementing measures to pass the test are already causing concern among heads, according to the Zurich research. Over one in ten independent schools (12 per cent) have revealed they plan to increase fees in order to fund measures allowing them to prove their charitable status – a move likely to spark resentment among parents. A worrying quarter of schools say they don’t know where they will source the money for such measures.
Tom Shewry, Head of Education at Zurich, commented: “Independent schools are sending a clear message to the government that they will not be bullied into propping up failing state schools. But headteachers also need to avoid this stance turning into apathy. By ensuring they understand the demands of the test, they will be able to adopt the measures required to pass it and budget for them accordingly.”
Independent schools are looking into taking a range of steps in order to maintain their charitable status. Extending means-tested bursaries is one popular option, with nearly half (46 per cent) saying they have already put plans in motion to increase the availability of bursaries and a further third (30 per cent) currently considering the idea. Twenty-seven per cent are contemplating opening lessons up to local state school children, with 21 per cent claiming this is something they already do.
Many independent schools who do not already do so are also considering offering the use of their facilities to state schools and the local community:
- Music facilities – 37 per cent
- Playing fields/tennis courts – 37 per cent
- Sports hall – 31 per cent
- Swimming pool – 20 per cent
- Art facilities – 23 per cent
- Laboratories – 7 per cent
But it seems unlikely that any of these facilities will generate their own income streams. Nearly two-thirds of the heads and bursars questioned (62 per cent) believe initiatives such as providing services outside of the usual school function will produce only low levels of income. And these measures look set to prove a headache for many schools, with nearly a quarter (24 per cent) admitting they are concerned about offering their facilities to outside groups, rising to 31 per cent among schools with fewer than 200 pupils.
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For further information contact
Louise Naqvi on t: 01489 561574 m: 07875 885120 e: louise.naqvi@uk.zurich.com
Notes to editors
All figures are from PCP. PCP interviewed bursars from 101 independent schools. Fieldwork was undertaken in June and July 2008. The survey was carried out by telephone.
Zurich provides insurance to many schools in the UK. We assist them with identifying and managing insurable and non-insurable risk attached to their activities by informing them on insurance, risk assessment and risk management.
Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 60,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.
