Three High Court judges have recently dismissed a legal challenge regarding the UK government's decision to add VAT to private school fees. This decision came after lawyers representing families and private schools argued that the policy was discriminatory and violated human rights laws.

Julie Robinson, the chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, which represented some of the families, stated that they are carefully reviewing the court's judgment and considering their next steps. On the other hand, the government welcomed the ruling, mentioning that the policy is expected to generate £1.8bn annually to support pupils in state schools.

VAT on private school fees was implemented on January 1st across the UK, leading to three separate legal claims from families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send), those attending single-sex schools, and low-income faith schools. While some families argued that there were no alternative schools in their area to meet their children's needs, barristers representing Chancellor Rachel Reeves, HMRC, and the Department for Education emphasized the importance of raising standards for the majority of children in state schools by ensuring that private school parents contribute their fair share.

The judgment, which spans 94 pages, highlighted that the policy was established by Parliament through primary legislation and was a part of the government's manifesto commitment. The court acknowledged that some families, including those with children with Send, religious beliefs, or a preference for single-sex education, might struggle to afford private school fees. However, it concluded that the government has the authority to prioritize the revenue generated for public services over the interests of these families.

Head teachers Caroline Santer and Jill Holt have expressed their intention to appeal against the court's decision.