Exclusive
Staff at St Lawrence College in Ramsgate have been sent a letter about consultation over proposals to make 20+ redundancies at the school.
The letter says the college is anticipating a ‘significant drop in revenue’ from the start of the new academic year in September due to a downturn in recruiting students and adds that “in order to avoid a cash shortfall in the next financial year, we will need to find substantial savings.”
It says it is considering the redundancies “in an effort to protect cash flow and to secure the college for the future.”
The losses would be across both teaching and non-teaching posts, with those may lose their roles ranging from teaching staff to administration, catering and domestic services.
The consultation process opened on June 6 and redundancies are anticipated in a 90-day timeframe.
Employees are being invited to indicate interest in voluntary redundancy.
Parents have been informed that ‘streamlining’ is being considered.
A letter to staff says: “No decisions have been taken yet and no final decision on this will be made until the consultation has concluded.”
The consultation process is 30 days (from June 6).
Head of College, Matthew Brown, said: “St Lawrence College, like many independent schools across the UK, is navigating a period of significant challenge brought about by national economic pressures and the forthcoming introduction of VAT on school fees. These changes are affecting families and schools alike, and we are responding with careful planning to ensure the College remains strong and sustainable in the years ahead.
“As part of this process, we have begun formal consultation on a proposed restructure in staffing, affecting both teaching and support roles. This is a difficult but necessary step to align our staffing with the needs of the College for the next academic year.
“Throughout this process, our foremost priority remains the wellbeing of our pupils and the quality of education and care we provide. Our full curriculum offering will continue, and we are introducing a number of positive developments designed to enhance the student experience, including a broader Sixth Form curriculum, a more dynamic timetable, and increased co- curricular and academic support.
“We recognise the deep contribution of all our staff. We are committed to handling the consultation process with openness, dignity, and compassion, and to supporting all affected colleagues as fully as possible.
“We remain confident that these changes will help us continue to deliver the values, standards, and holistic education that families expect from St Lawrence, now and in the future.”
Historic school
The school has been operating in Thanet for some 146 years and has both day pupils and boarders.
Last year the school carried out phase 2 of a £1.2m investment project to transform the Hamblen Block into a new nursery and Pre-Prep home with new classrooms and secure play areas.
The Junior School started the 2023-24 academic year having completed Phase 1 of the project, introducing five state-of-the-art classrooms and Learning Resource Centre, the Attenborough Attic. The renovation included improved accessibility features.
St Lawrence College was shortlisted for the prestigious Independent School of the Year Awards 2024 in the category of Independent Prep School of the Year. It also celebrated a double victory at the Private Education Awards 2024, winning Most Nurturing Co-Educational Independent School 2024 – South East England, and Best Boarding & Day School 2024 – South East England.
In January the Governors of St Lawrence College appointed Matthew Brown as the new Head of College.
He succeeded Barney Durrant and officially joined the College on 1 April.
It last undertook a review of operations and staffing redundancies in 2020 due to suffering a financial blow from the impact of Covid-19.
VAT exemption removal
Since January this year a VAT exemption was removed from private schools, meaning they have been required to add 20 per cent VAT onto their fees.
Generally the supply of education is VAT-exempt. This has meant that historically private schools have not charged VAT on their fees.
However, government said extending VAT to private school fees will raise funds of £460 million in 2024/25, rising to £1.51 billion in 2025/26.
The government also forecast that imposing VAT on fees will result in 37,000 pupils leaving the private sector, representing about 6% of the current private school population.
East Thanet MP Polly Billington voted in favour of the rates change, saying in Parliament last year that the removal of private schools rates relief would mean the ability to fund better opportunities for ‘the 94%’ who could not access private education.
Today she said: “I’m very sorry to hear about possible redundancies at St Lawrence College. I know decisions like this will have been hard for the school management and they won’t have taken it lightly.
“Labour is ending tax breaks for private schools to invest in the 93% of children in state schools — including those gaining from free breakfast clubs, free school meals for families on Universal Credit, and better support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
“That means hundreds of children in East Thanet will benefit. This is about fairness and giving every child the best start in life.”
St Lawrence College has been contacted for a statement.
Thank you Labour. More job losses in an area of high unemployment.
you want a labour government to subsidise privately owned businesses that operate FOR PROFIT, because?
It does’t operate for profit – it’s a charity and has been giving loads of local children subsidised high quality education for decades. It also shares its facilities with state schools – and they’re now going to lose out. It’s pretty certain that it will be sold to developers and turned into housing.
Possibly just the start of Rachel from Accounts revenue raising plan ; but sadly it was idiotic targeting Colleges and Private schools . It has resulted in St. Lawrence College asking for in excess of 20 job losses ; excellent teachers will now be unemployed. These teachers are the very hard working people the Rachel harps on about helping . Such a shame to see St. Lawrence College fighting for its survival ; after many years of success 😢
I think St Lawrence College has been burying its head in the sand for years and the VAT is the final nail in the coffin. Over 50 jobs are to go, yet the bursar is sitting pretty with his six figure salary.
The bursar is the main problem!