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2 months ago
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One of Ireland’s top independent boys’ schools is seeking to capitalise on the British government’s plan to add VAT to UK private school fees.
The Labour Party has said it plans to slap the 20 percent charge on fees as early as September next year.
Its aim is to raise £1.5billion a year to recruit 6,500 specialist teachers for state schools and fund mental health support in every school.
However, it is estimated the policy will push tens of thousands of pupils of fee-paying schools into the state sector.
Clongowes Wood College, a boarding school catering for boys aged 12 to 18 on its 550 acres near Clane, Co. Kildare, has embarked on an ad campaign in the UK to tempt parents there to look overseas.
Clongowes Wood College is a boarding school catering for boys aged 12 to 18 in County Kildare
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said last month the contentious measure would be in her first Budget, which could come as soon as September
The school embarked on an ad campaign (pictured above) in the UK to tempt parents there to look overseas
It states: ‘Reconsidering school options for your son? Our fees are exempt from VAT, and lower than UK school fees.’
One observer said: ‘It is interesting that Clongowes Wood is advertising for students in the UK in anticipation of the new Labour government imposing 20 percent on school fees. Fees are lower than in comparable UK schools.’
The former Jesuit school, founded in 1814, boasts famous alumni including James Joyce, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, MP John Redmond, ex-taoiseach John Bruton and numerous judges, businessmen, generals, rugby players and cricketers.
Responding online to the advertising drive, one woman wrote: ‘It is natural they should try to cash in, but the vast majority of our citizens cannot afford, and should not have to afford, a decent State education in properly financed and maintained State schools.’
Pre-paid contracts at Eton College (pictured) – where boarding costs £49,998 per year – have shot up almost four-fold to £10.1 million, from £2.64 million paid upfront by families in 2022
Clongowes, which did not respond to a query from the Irish Daily Mail about its UK ad, says fees start at £20,411 for pupils entering first, second or third year, and £23,508 for older pupils. Discounts apply for two or more brothers.
At Eton College in Berkshire, boarding costs almost £50,000, although most boarding schools in the UK charge between £20,000 and £30,000.
In Ireland, the Revenue states: ‘The provision of children’s or young people’s education, school or university education or vocational training or retraining by recognised schools, colleges and universities is exempt from VAT.’
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