Boarding Schools
2026-07-15 · Department for Education · HL2181 · Official question
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the 8.2 per cent fall in the number of boarding pupils at independent schools recorded in the 2026 Independent Schools Council’s annual census, published on 24 June; and whether they plan t
Answer
The decline in pupil numbers is not out of line with expectations given the removal of the VAT exemption, population decline and historical trends in private schools. There are no plans to make any related policy changes.