Sephardi school seeks state aid as VAT levy on fees begins to bite

A spokesperson for Barnet Council said: “An application has been made by the Nancy Reuben Independent Primary School to become a state maintained voluntary aided school from September 2025.

“The council has a set eligibility criteria in place for any independent school wishing to become state maintained, and we welcome applications from all schools who meet that criteria.”

Nancy Reuben, which has 235 pupils, seeks voluntary-aided status, which means most of its costs would be covered by the state. It will first need to gain approval of the local council.

If successful, it would be the first new voluntary-aided Jewish school for several years.

Nancy Reuben head Rabbi Joshua Conway[Missing Credit]

Many new Jewish schools have opted for the free school route, applying directly to the Department for Education. But whereas free schools can only reserve 50 per cent of their places on the basis of faith, voluntary-aided schools have far greater control of admissions.

The JC understands that other independent Jewish schools are considering the state option. But they would have to meet requirements over curriculum and the qualification of teachers to clear the hurdles.

A legal challenge to the VAT policy, which was backed by two families of pupils at strictly Orthodox Jewish independent schools as well as the Independent Schools Council, was unsuccessful earlier this year, although the claimants are considering an appeal.

Jewish education organisations have warned that the mounting costs of private education could put a number of Jewish schools at risk.