Controlling the classroom

A friend is on the board of an independent school, and has been attending more than the usual amount of meetings recently. They are discussing whether the burden of government interference has become so great that they should become a profit-seeking organisation. This would be financed by stopping taking in new pupils from poor areas – a duty it the school has been proud to do since its inception. It’s all being done with a heavy heart, but the cost of the school upkeep is soaring and they fear closure. Having to obey yet more central government marching orders will not endear them to the overseas parents, on whom they are now financially dependent. Yet the Charity Commission is tomorrow expected to recommend that such schools will be instructed to either offer more subsidised places, enter partnerships with local state schools and basically be bossed around a lot more if they want to keep their tax-free status.