British voters agree that independent schools should do more to demonstrate public benefit in order to retain their charitable status yet are divided when it comes to how this should be funded, according to research conducted by Zurich.
The findings of the public survey come as the Charity Commission prepares to publish its final public benefit guidance for charities – ‘Charities and Public Benefit’ this month, following the end of its Consultation process in June last year.
In the study which measures public attitudes towards the role of the independent sector just over one in 10 respondents (11 per cent) disagree with moves to make independent schools demonstrate more explicitly their benefit to society to warrant government tax breaks.
Over a third (36 per cent) of respondents in general believe that the provision of assisted places or bursaries to pupils from lower income families offers the primary means for independents to meet this responsibility, while nearly a fifth (19 per cent) think that offering facilities for community or local authority use is the best way to ensure public benefit.
Of those surveyed who have children, nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) have educated, educates, or plans to educate their child at an independent school, 46 per cent of which feel that independent schools need do more to demonstrate their public benefit.
45 per cent of all respondents believe that a more collaborative approach between the independent and maintained sector would improve the quality of state education, yet the research also reveals a split in opinion. In response to the statement, ‘independent schools should share more of their teaching staff with state schools’, significantly less support is evident among independent school parents than state sector parents with over half (54 per cent) of the former disagreeing with this against 21 per cent of the latter.
For parents with children at independent school the quality of education, reputation and school leadership are the most significant criteria. Of this group the majority (40 per cent) believe an increase in numbers of assisted places offered to less well-off families is the best way to demonstrate public benefit - above facilities and resource sharing. 69 per cent of this group, however, do not feel that their fees should fund the education of such children.
In terms of accessibility to independent school education for lower income families the common view among respondents overall was that this had not vastly shifted in either direction in the last 5 years (40 per cent).
Tom Shewry, Head of Education at Zurich said: ‘The impact of these guidelines will depend on the extent of what needs to be put in place to satisfy the Charity Commission’s requirements. Sharing facilities and teaching resources, for instance, will influence schools’ risk profiles in different ways as changing responsibilities and ways of working can expose new risks.’
Concerning the challenges of the public benefit test Shewry continues: ‘A few independent schools have started the process of transferring back into the state sector to become Academies. This is one approach to combating the potential threat posed by the assessment of public benefit. However, until a greater understanding is gained, both of the assessments and also the impact of changing status, it shouldn't be seen as an automatic option.’
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For further information contact
Louise Naqvi, Zurich on t: 01489 561574 m: 07875 885120: e: louise.naqvi@uk.zurich.com
Notes to Editors :
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,502 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd - 24th October 2007. The survey was carried out online. The figures have not been weighted YouGov is a member of the British Polling Council.
Zurich provides insurance to many schools in the UK. We assist them with identifying and managing the insurable risks attached to their activities by informing them on 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 58,000 people serving customers in more than 170 countries.
