Ruthin School, one of the United Kingdom's oldest private institutions, has announced its closure at the end of the current academic year. The school, which traces its origins back to 1284 and was re-established in 1574, cited the Labour government's introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on independent school fees as a significant factor in its decision.
Founded by Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster, Ruthin School moved to its current site in 1893. Initially a boys' school, it became co-educational in 1990 and has educated notable alumni, including Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon, in the 1980s. Last year, the school was recognized among the best independent schools in Wales by The Sunday Times Parent Power rankings.
The school, which charges approximately £55,000 annually for full boarding and up to £18,500 for day pupils, informed staff and students of its closure on Wednesday afternoon. Its closure adds to a growing number of independent schools shutting down across the country, with many attributing the trend to the 20% VAT on school fees, which took effect in January 2025.
Official figures indicate a significant decline in private school enrollment since the VAT policy was implemented. New data from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) shows a drop of 30,000 pupils, from 556,551 two years ago to 526,611 currently. The majority of this decrease, 20,000 pupils, occurred in the last year alone. This trend suggests that many families are being priced out of the independent sector.
ISC chief executive Julie Robinson stated that the census data reveals a substantial fall in pupil numbers, reflecting difficult financial decisions for families and schools working to maintain educational standards. She noted that policy decisions have tangible consequences for families' educational choices.
The data also shows a decrease across various age groups, with fewer new enrollments at the primary, prep school, and sixth-form levels, indicating that prospective new students are being deterred by the policy. Regional declines were reported, with Scotland seeing a 5.6% reduction, Wales 6%, and the North East 6.4%. Approximately 100 private schools have announced closures since the VAT on fees was introduced.
Saqib Bhatti, the shadow schools minister, commented that children and families are bearing the cost of a policy that is disrupting education without delivering promised benefits. A Department for Education spokesperson countered that the figures reflect broader demographic changes affecting the entire school system, with primary school numbers falling since before the VAT change. The spokesperson added that the share of pupils in independent schools has remained consistent, and more private schools opened than closed in 2025. The department also stated that ending tax breaks for private schools is expected to generate over £1.8 billion annually by 2029/30 to enhance education in state schools.