Berkshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11.jpg" alt="St Joseph's College Reading prep school pupils with abacus" class="wp-image-58850" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/5-11-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The political parties are on a war footing as we strut towards the General Election – and the noise around VAT on school fees is getting louder, with Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party making it a key policy. But what does that means for parents grappling with a huge dollop of uncertainty? How do you plan for your children’s education? Will it make fees unaffordable? To help you navigate the choppy waters whilst the political pirates take pot shots at each other, we spoke to Laura Stotesbury, Head of St Joseph’s College in Reading, for some keep calm and carry on advice…</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1708" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-scaled.jpg" alt="HEAD LAURA STOTESBURY ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE READING" class="wp-image-58903" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-scaled.jpg 1708w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/sjcr2021_newheadpromo-120-350x525.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 1708px) 100vw, 1708px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-know">What we know</h2>



<p>Understandably, this is the hottest topic for parents. In a cost of living crisis, affordability of school fees and the prospect of VAT is a genuine concern. But right now we are working in the hypothetical. First of all, Sir Kier Starmer’s Labour Party have to win the General Election, the Labour Government has to form that policy and get it through Parliament. Before that happens they need to decide what is VAT of school fees going to look like? What level will it be set? When will it be charged? Will there be any, any exceptions to that? Whilst the rhetoric is very much ‘all these loopholes will be closed down’, change will not happen overnight and there will be multiple legal challenges, if it comes to pass.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-fees-shoot-up">Will fees shoot up?</h2>



<p>Most schools have been planning for the worst but hoping for the best for some time now. At St Joseph’s we’ve been looking at the worst case scenario, asking ourselves: what does that look like for us? And what would it mean for our parents? We’re not going to change our fees in the middle of a school term, but it’s worth asking if that is a possibility elsewhere. Transparency about school fees is essential for parents to make informed decisions. Our parents are notified of any changes kicking in at the start of the next academic year before the Easter notice period deadline. This gives them the thinking space to make informed choices.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15.jpg" alt="St Joseph's College Reading prep school pupils outside school" class="wp-image-58852" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/3-15-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drill-down-on-the-detail">Drill down on the detail</h2>



<p>So think about the fee cycle. St Joseph’s College committed to a lower fee structure back in 2010 – we’re already 23% cheaper than every independent school in Reading, we have the lowest fees in Berkshire and probably beyond . We’ve done the fat trimming, if you want to call it that. We look at every budget line with a view that if it was my money would I be happy it was being spent there? If not, why not? How could the money be spent differently that will benefit the children? So we’ve done the forensic accounting and got into the granular detail of how every pound is spent. So we have to debate other financials. Currently, we have a very flat fee structure. Every child from aged 7-13 is charged exactly the same. Does that reflect the curriculum they’re receiving?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decisions-decisions">Decisions, decisions</h2>



<p>There are a lot of questions and few&nbsp;answers. For instance, will VAT be charged universally for every stage of education? At what percentage will VAT be set? When will it come into play? Will schools pass on the full amount? We simply don’t know. But schools need to be on their toes and ready to respond. We have a team that meets regularly to discuss the rumours and political commentary, so we’re on the front foot and reassuring parents.</p>



<p>Even if you add 20% on St Joseph’s College’s fees right now, we’d still be cheaper than every school in Reading and across Berkshire. Even if those schools absorb some of the VAT, and we didn’t, we’d still be in that position. That being said, that’s not my ambition. For St Joseph’s, it’s about looking at other revenue streams, with the SJC Enterprises arm of the school brushing itself off to generate income that isn’t from our fees.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/St-Josephs-School-Acorns-037-scaled-e1704462397324.jpg" alt="St Joseph College Reading's Prep School pupils with iPads" class="wp-image-58881" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-safety-nets">Financial safety nets</h2>



<p>If you’re a parent, and you’ve already committed to independent schooling, but affordability may become an issue, ask about hardship funds and bursaries.<br>We have a really good means tested system. In the past, it was anticipated that a bursary would be applied for at the point of entry, but more families are also applying within a cycle of education.</p>



<p>No school wants to disrupt a child’s education so have open conversations before pulling the plug. If your child is in Y7-Y9, we would always work with a family to do what we can to support them. If they’re in Y10 and they haven’t yet got to Y11, we will do everything we can to pursue every avenue. There isn’t a magic wand, nor is there an endless pot of money. But the funds we do have will be given to the right people. We use an outside agency to make those financial assessments. To help parents, we’ve produced some guidelines to explain what is considered discretionary income versus disposable income and what other sources of finance you may need to consider to pay school fees. This financial assistance is then reviewed on an annual basis.</p>



<p>Hardship funds are also an option. We’re lucky to have had generous alumni who have given money over the years that we can use to support pupils for things like trips. There’s a wonderful old girl who talks about the fact that she’d never ever took the letters home to her parents, because she knew they couldn’t afford it. She has given money to enable us to keep that hardship ongoing so that when there’s a really strong educational reason why those children will benefit, they don’t miss out on a residential trip.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18-1000x667.jpg" alt="St Joseph's College Reading SCIENCE" class="wp-image-58854" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/1-18.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-results-results">Results, results, results</h2>



<p>Lower fees are not a compromise on quality. Parents need to look at exam results, frame those results against the school intake (selective, class sizes etc) and speak to a Head or an academic deputy about the value added created for students. Don’t just look at the headline grabbing top grades. Every child has a unique pathway and not achieving 9’s, 8’s and A*s does not mean they’re a failure. Define what success looks like for you, then ask how the school will support your child to meet that goal. – be it their co curricular interests and talents or learning support. Work our your child’s strengths and weaknesses, then identify how best they will be served by a school.</p>



<p>Shiny facilities is a sliding scale to success. If money is being splashed on new carpets, decorating and lots of unused tech, you should be asking questions. A school’s good looks needs to also translate into an excellent experience. If the children aren’t engaged, aren’t being taught well and aren’t getting good results… why are they there? St Joseph’s starting point is to educate the whole child, the curriculum is really important and should be encompassing all, not just for the elite.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hold-your-nerve">Hold your nerve</h2>



<p>My best advice to parents? Hold your nerve, keep looking and don’t discount anything. There are options if state school is not for you or your child. We may not offer boarding, a big dinner at 6pm for students, German or Saturday sport, (kids are free to pursue interests outside of school), but our students here are being served well. We’re not an ivory tower school of privilege, we’re more grounded. St Joseph students are successful in their own endeavours, but there is no hint of brashness or arrogance. A lot of that is because they understand the sacrifice their parents are making. It’s real world stuff, that sets pupils up for life.</p>



<ul>
<li><strong><em>Read the Muddy reviews of St Joseph&#8217;s College Reading&#8217;s <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-josephs-college-prep-reading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prep</a> and <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-josephs-college-reading-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Senior School</a>.</em></strong></li>
</ul>


Panicking about VAT on school fees? Breathe deep and read on

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