Independent schools hit by the downturn

The education sector is traditionally considered to be relatively protected from the ravages of a severe recession. However, a collection of recent articles in the press suggest that the independent schools sector is suffering from the consumer downturn.

The Times outlines the main reasons why some independent schools have been forced into administration, or prompted to cut fixed costs by making teachers redundant.

According to this article on the BBC site, “up to 30 independent schools have closed or are due to close in the coming months because of the economic climate” according to a teaching union.

No wonder that bursars in the independent sector are starting to tighten the purse strings.

Parents attracted by saving in excess of £10k per child per year are probably the main cause of the weakening demand for private education.

However, some blame poor management of the schools that have failed recently. TRhe Association of Teachers and Lecturers, the biggest union representing staff in the private sector, said schools should have long-term strategic plans to stop many being run like a “corner shop”.