British Private School Fee Hike Prompts US Return Considerations, Despite Political Climate

Article arrow_drop_down

A looming 15.4% increase in British private school fees, triggered by the government’s decision to remove VAT exemption, has created an unexpected dilemma for long-term UK resident Liana Fricker: considering a return to Trump’s America for her children’s education. The California native, who has called Surrey home for over two decades, finds herself weighing complex choices for her two sons with ADHD, aged 14 and 10.

“It’s ironic,” Fricker reflects, carefully weighing her words. “Because, yes, even with Donald Trump, I have to consider what’s the least bad option.” Her statement underscores the challenging intersection of educational needs and political realities facing international families in Britain’s changing educational landscape.

The impending policy change has sparked broader discussions about educational accessibility and special needs support. Fricker’s sons currently attend a private institution renowned for its ADHD support programs, but the substantial fee increase threatens to disrupt their established educational routine. Her older son’s situation is particularly pressing, as he’s midway through his GCSE preparations.

While the Treasury maintains the policy “will not have a significant impact on the number of pupils attending private schools overall,” and Labour projects the funds will support approximately 6,500 new state school teaching positions, families like the Frickers are grappling with immediate practical concerns. The American mother notes that in the US, private education comes with tax incentives: “If you send your children to private school, you get a tax rebate as a thank you for paying tax and not using the service.”

Education experts point to broader implications for Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision across the education sector. “The concern isn’t just about individual families being priced out of private education,” explains Dr. Sarah Henderson, Education Policy Research Fellow at King’s College London. “It’s about the potential strain on state school SEN resources as more students transfer into the public system.”

Fricker acknowledges the presence of “great” state schools in her area but expresses concern about securing places for both children at the same institution. The challenge of maintaining educational continuity, particularly for her GCSE-level son who might face curriculum changes, adds another layer of complexity to their decision.

The situation highlights a growing trend of families reassessing their educational options in response to policy changes. Educational consultants report increased inquiries about international schooling alternatives, suggesting the Frickers’ consideration of an American return, despite political reservations, may reflect a broader pattern among internationally mobile families seeking optimal educational environments for their children.

For families seeking guidance on navigating these educational changes, educational advocacy groups have established resources to help parents understand their options and rights within both the private and state education systems.

About the author

trending_flat
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening

Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening.   The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]

Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
trending_flat
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals

Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group.   McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings.   The lawsuit also details […]

trending_flat
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46

Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television.   Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.   Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]

trending_flat
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State

Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]

trending_flat
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce

Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]

trending_flat
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada

A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victim’s dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victim’s vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]

Related

trending_flat
Healthcare CEO ‘s Killer Luigi Mangione May Face Death Penalty

Attorney General Pamela Bondi on Tuesday directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last year. Mangione was federally charged in December with stalking and murdering Thompson, who was shot in midtown Manhattan. State prosecutors also charged him with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism. In her statement, Bondi described the directive as part of "President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again," calling the killing "a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America." She noted Thompson was "an innocent man and father of two young children." Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the attorney general's directive. Federal indictment proceedings are on hold while state prosecutors pursue […]

trending_flat
Investors Bet Big on European Resurgence: $11 Billion Flood into ETFs in ‘MEGA’ Trend

U.S. investors poured a record $10.6 billion into exchange-traded funds focused on European stocks in the first quarter, seven times the inflows recorded a year earlier, according to data from BlackRock. As U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and economic policies fuel uncertainty across markets, European equities have emerged as a bright spot. Tim Seymour, founder and chief investment officer of Seymour Asset Management, dubbed the burgeoning trend Make Europe Great Again, or MEGA. The resurgent interest in European ETFs reflects a sharp reversal in sentiment. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the funds had seen net outflows of $6.4 billion. "It's a really massive swing," said Kristy Akullian, head of iShares Investment Strategy at BlackRock. In three of the last five calendar years, investors steered money out of European ETFs that trade in U.S. markets and into domestic […]

trending_flat
Russia Drafts 160,000 Men in Largest Military Call-Up Since 2011 Amid Growing Tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 men aged 18-30 in the country's most extensive military draft since 2011. The move is part of an ongoing expansion of Russia's armed forces, despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increased military tensions with NATO. The latest spring draft, running from April to July, surpasses the 2024 intake by 10,000 and aligns with Putin's goal of increasing Russia's overall military strength to nearly 2.39 million personnel. This includes raising the number of active servicemen to 1.5 million—an increase of 180,000 over three years. Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky stated that the new conscripts would not be deployed to Ukraine. However, reports suggest that some have been killed in combat, particularly in Russia's border regions. In the early months of the full-scale war, conscripts were also sent to Ukraine despite official assurances […]

trending_flat
Musk Claims Tesla Stock Suffers Due to His Role in Trump’s Government Efficiency Department

Elon Musk believes his involvement with the Trump administration negatively impacts Tesla's stock performance. At a Wisconsin town hall, Musk stated that his position in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which advocates for significant government workforce reductions, is generating backlash against Tesla and affecting its stock value. "What they're trying to do is put massive pressure on me and Tesla, I guess, to… stop doing this," Musk said, according to Bloomberg News. "My Tesla stock and the stock of everyone who holds Tesla has gone roughly in half. I mean, it's a big deal." The declining stock isn't the only indicator of public discontent with Musk's political activities. Protesters gathered at Tesla dealerships over the weekend, and there have been reports of vandalism targeting vehicles and dealerships nationwide. Musk's political engagement extends beyond DOGE. He campaigned with Trump during […]

Russian Diplomats Kicked Out After Helping Criminal Politician Escape Through Embassy
trending_flat
Russian Diplomats Kicked Out After Helping Criminal Politician Escape Through Embassy

Moldova has expelled three Russian diplomats after accusing the embassy of helping a pro-Kremlin lawmaker escape imprisonment, triggering Russia's promise of an "appropriate response." Moldova's Foreign Ministry announced the expulsion Monday via Telegram, citing "clear evidence on the conduct of activities contrary to the diplomatic status." Moscow swiftly declared it would retaliate, according to state-run news agency RIA Novosti. The diplomatic tension escalated after Moldova accused the Russian Embassy of orchestrating pro-Kremlin Moldovan lawmaker Alexander Nesterovschii's escape to the Russian-backed breakaway Transnistria region just before he was to be jailed on illegal political funding charges. This incident represents the latest in a series of allegations by Moldova's pro-European government claiming Russian interference in its political affairs, which Moscow consistently denies. Moldova's security service released footage allegedly showing Nesterovschii entering the Russian Embassy in Chisinau on March 18, one day before […]

Trump Rages At Putin Over Ukraine Leadership Comments Threatening Peace Talks
trending_flat
Trump Rages At Putin Over Ukraine Leadership Comments Threatening Peace Talks

Russia says it is continuing diplomatic efforts with the United States despite President Trump expressing anger toward Vladimir Putin. Responding to Trump's criticism, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed tensions between the leaders, stating, "We continue working with the US side, first of all, on building our relations." While confirming no scheduled calls between Putin and Trump this week, Peskov noted Putin remains open to communication "if necessary." The diplomatic reassurance follows Trump's NBC News interview Sunday where he revealed being "angry" and "pissed off" with Putin for questioning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's credibility. Trump threatened to impose a 50% tariff on nations purchasing Russian oil if Putin refused to agree to a ceasefire - representing a significant shift in Trump's rhetoric toward the Russian president. US and Russian officials have been engaged in discussions for several weeks attempting to broker […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation