Labour’s plans to introduce VAT on private school fees is causing growing concern among parents who see the costs of educating their children growing by 10 to 20 per cent.
The definitive Baines Cutler Report for the Independent Schools Council predicted a drop of between 17 to 25 per cent of students who may have to seek education opportunities elsewhere in the next five years. This is reflected in Epsom College in Malaysia’s own outreach, which also found serious parental concern at the prospect of the VAT levy. It seems increasingly likely that some will consider moving their children to other schools if the Labour policy goes ahead.
This is why Epsom College in Malaysia, an institution dedicated to delivering quality education and the quintessential English boarding school experience, is responding to these concerns with an alternative for parents to avoid the major increases in UK independent school fees that would result from the VAT levy. We are offering parents the option of having their children board from September 2024 at a highly competitive price without compromising educational quality.
Some may think our school’s distant location in Malaysia is incongruent with a classic boarding school education. However, Epsom College in Malaysia aims to provide the same English boarding experience, high academic standards, and sporting opportunities offered at major UK boarding schools.
So rather than conflicting with quintessential boarding experience, our location in Malaysia offers that while also giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of Asia and broaden their horizons across the world.
To further give families financial certainty and assure their children’s academic future in these turbulent times, our offer for UK parents features fixed flat fees priced in UK sterling that will protect parents from both inflation and exchange rate fluctuations for a student’s entire education.
“Our location offers students the chance to immerse themselves in Asian cultures.”
The Labour Party have given strong and clear indications that they will introduce this policy, and opinion polls suggest they will form the next UK Government. However, in the unlikely event this does not turn out to be the case, the fee offer will still run for any UK children entering the school in the 2024/5 academic year.
Epsom College in Malaysia remains an excellent option for UK students regardless. It follows the National Curriculum for England in English, with students taking ten to twelve IGCSE subjects between Year 10 and 11.
In Year 12 and 13 students students study up to four principal subjects at A-level, with the option from the Core Curriculum (EPQ or IELTS) for additional breadth. Many students from Epsom College in Malaysia gain excellent A-level results which lead to offers from the Russell Group universities.
The curriculum is taught by a team of experienced and dedicated teachers, the majority of whom are British and were trained in the UK, to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning.
For holistic development, the students can look forward to over 100 co-curricular activities and clubs embracing the arts, sports, business and computing.
It will ultimately be up to the parents and their children to decide whether boarding at Epsom College in Malaysia is right for them. Parents and their children will have the opportunity to visit us and experience the school, to assess if it is the right fit.
We look forward to welcoming them.