Public benefit pressure to ease for independent schools?

The new coalition government is reported to be talking to the Charity Commission about amending the public benefit requirements on independent schools

It is claimed that there will be a change in the apparent initial emphasis on providing more bursaries to pupils from poor families in favour of more community work and with collaborations with maintained schools, as previously revealed by Michael Gove MP in an exclusive interview with Funding for Independent Schools back in September 2009.

The new education secretary is reported to have ordered his officials to talk to the Charity Commission about giving independent schools more credit for their outreach work.

Last year two schools failed pilot inspections by the commission, primarily because they were not providing enough bursaries. This provoked fury from independent school heads since some wealthy schools with large endowments may have little difficulty providing sufficient bursaries, but poorer institutions, particularly preps, have complained that they will struggle to do so.

Softly, softly
Mr Gove apparently wants to soften the commission’s approach while also exploring new ways for schools to escape its jurisdiction altogether. Before the election he looked at a plan for schools to become “non-profit trusts”. Under this option, which would require legislation, schools would lose the tax perks of charitable status but hold on to their assets and stay independent from commercial shareholders. Asked if Mr Gove was still considering this, a source told The Times that it was “speculation”.

Another option for schools could be to become exempt charities, which are not subject to Charity Commission jurisdiction. New state academies will be given this status.

According to The Times, the source told them: “[Mr Gove] wants to meet the concerns of the independent schools and provide ways of escaping the jurisdiction of the Charity Commission for schools that wish to do so.”

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