Andrew Grant chair of Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference which represents 250 private schools complains

“I have been wondering how we arrived at a position where to be a member of the self-reliant middle class, to pay your taxes without complaint, but to try to stand on your own feet, to take financial responsibility for your children … to pay your way honestly, can be widely regarded as somehow tantamount to treason”.

The Charities Act 2006 demands private schools justify their charitable status to retain up to £100m in tax breaks each year. Under new rules, private schools must offer more educational benefits to pupils from families who are unable to pay fees. This year, two out of five schools inspected by the Charity Commission were told they failed to provide enough bursaries.

“The threat that underlies the guidance is the well-tried medieval one of confiscation of land and property,” Grant said.

“How dare [politicians] criticise our parents for footing the bill to educate their own children, or seek to make it more difficult for them to do so?” he added. Jessica Shepherd, The Guardian.

However, Grant’s wrong, parents don’t foot the full bill, if Grant wants independence from the state then stop taking the state subsidies by being registered charities – let’s be honest there’s nothing charitable about educating rich kids. As for saving the state money I’d like to see the evidence. More troubling is the end result – our best Universities are stuffed full of private school kids who become parents of rich kids at private schools who go to… you get the picture – an unbroken circle of privilege.