Independent Schools urged to grasp opportunity

Leading education experts are calling on representatives from independent schools to make their voices heard in the run-up to new charity legislation.

The new draft guidance for independent schools with charitable status which comes into force next year will mean independent schools will have to demonstrate how they provide public benefit or lose their charitable status. General guidance has now been issued by the Charity Commission, and education specialists including former Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead who is now Chairman of Cognita and Jane Hobson, Head of the Policy Unit at the Charity Commission will be urging schools to respond to the guidance when they speak at a groundbreaking seminar organised by Coutts & Co and law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP in London on Thursday (22 May).

Education legal expert Yvonne Spencer from Fisher Jones Greenwood who will also be speaking at the seminar will offer schools practical advice on how to comply with the draft guidance once it comes into force, said: “It is really vital that independent schools take the opportunity now to respond to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. Each school is unique in its own right and it is important that the opinions and views of every school affected are heard.”

The seminar will not only be exploring how best to respond to the guidance but also whether the government has gone too far with the legislation. More than 80 representatives from independent schools including governors, heads and bursars are expected to attend. Chris Woodhead will also be addressing the future of independent education, whilst Jane Hobson will be speaking about how to respond to the Charity Commission’s draft supplementary guidance. Speaking about alternative models for independent schools will be Charles Robinson, Development Director of Cognita and barrister Alison Maclennan from Radcliffe Chambers will be discussing legal perspectives for independent schools on the draft consultation guidance on the public benefit test. Yvonne Spencer will be summing up the seminar with 10 top tips for schools.