Winchester, with its reputation, balance sheet and leadership will emerge from this...
The future
And now to lows. It’ s hard to escape the difficult outlook for the sector, particularly in light of changes in government policy. The three horsemen of the Autumn Budget hit the sector with VAT on school fees, removal of the business rates exemption for charitable schools and an unexpected increase in national insurance contributions. Cumulatively, these will add in excess of £ 7m to the cost of education and will inevitably be passed on to school fees.
The final horseman arrived as a muchanticipated increase in Teacher Pension Scheme contributions to 28.68 % in April 2024. Ahead of this, the College consulted with teaching staff to mitigate the impact of these increases on school fees.
Winchester, with its reputation, balance sheet and leadership will emerge from this, but with an affordability challenge made significantly worse since 2024 as fee increases continue to outstrip median disposable incomes in the UK. The wider unknown is the impact on the broader ecosystem: in particular, the prep schools who nurture our future pupils, our dedicated staff, and our ability to generate wider public benefit beyond the campus. We will be doing as much as possible to ensure our bursary programme continues to help the best and brightest, whether they are in need of temporary or hardship support or a 100 % bursary for their full five years at the school.
As some of you will know, I leave Winchester at the end of the academic year to take the reins of a network of international schools. It’ s been an honour to be steward to the Charity for a brief time in its 600-year history, leaving the School with a clear plan for growth and prospects for greater financial sustainability, public benefit and educational impact. I wish the next Bursar every success in the role. They’ ll be taking on one of the best jobs in the world!
Cricket practice within the new Sports Centre( right)
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