A Lake District independent school has revealed it will move to one site in response to plans to charge 20% VAT on fees.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said VAT would be charged from January on private school fees.
Windermere School has announced it will be closing its junior school campus on Ambleside Road and relocating it into revamped facilities at the senior school’s Browhead campus.
The work is expected to be completed by January and the school said being on one site will reduce its running costs.
Governors have also announced a reduction in fees for the youngest year groups and an increase below the level of VAT for all others.
Chair of governors Peter Hogan said, “In the face of this large and sudden increase in costs we are not prepared to cut back on what we offer children or compromise the quality and variety of our extra-curricular activities. At the same time, we do not want parents to have to bear the full impact of the tax.”
Head Frank Thompson said: “We are aware of the magic of our junior school, which resides in our wonderful community of children, staff, and families, rather than the building.
“We will not lose sight of what makes our junior school such an exceptional place for children to learn and grow. We are also looking forward to being together as one community on one site, with the happy sound of young children in the grounds.”
