Opinions

The main man

With a general election only months away, the Conservative Party is in pole position to win. That means that the next likely education minister is Michael Gove MP. Here he answers questions put to him by Andrew Maiden

Andrew Maiden: Will the Conservative Party (CP) seek to toughen up the public benefit requirements for independent schools (ISs)? If so, how?
Michael Gove: I believe it is preferable to encourage schools to make a contribution to their local community in the way they see as best.

AM: Will the CP encourage the state and independent sectors to work together more? If so, how?
MG: We would be delighted to see the two sectors working together and we will work with heads to encourage fruitful
collaboration.

AM: The current economic climate is particularly difficult for many parents who pay school fees and it is widely believed that increasing numbers of schools will close over the next couple of years. Will the CP offer any support to schools that are in difficulty? Each independent school that closes has a significant impact on local maintained school numbers, not to mention the cost of unemployment benefit for redundant staff.
MG: We would be very disappointed to see any successful school close. However, we would not use taxpayer’s money to support any private school.

AM: If education were zero-rated for VAT, rather than exempt, this would allow independent schools to reclaim VAT on premises and teaching resources. Is it unfair that maintained schools can reclaim VAT while independent schools can’t?
MG: We don’t plan to make any changes to the current VAT status of schools.

AM: Will the CP help ISs to open up franchises overseas (partly to promote UK plc)? And state schools? If so, how?
MG: We would strongly encourage independent schools, and their larger bodies, to open state schools. This has been done successfully by foundations such as the Haberdashers’, who now run first class schools in both sectors. We will make it far easier for private schools to open up state sector counterparts through allowing anyone who passes minimum requirements to open a school; relaxing planning and building regulations; offering freedom from local authority control; giving heads greater power over their budget and who they hire; and giving parents more control over the money spent on their child.

AM: What one thing needs to change in the ISs sector as a priority?
MG: I won’t lecture successful schools on what they need to do to improve. However, I would be delighted to see more independent schools collaborating with the state sector to improve education for all pupils, irrespective of which sector they are educated in.

Andrew Maiden is editor of Funding for Independent Schools. Andrew would like to thank Simon Shneerson for his input.

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