I am fascinated by the parallels between the Geoff Boycott’s comments on the BBC and its current shifting status in televising cricket, and the challenges to an independent school’s charitable status associated with their VAT benefits.
I am not in favour of disruption for the sake of disruption but, as Geoff Boycott implies, status does not carry with it either priority or for that matter entitlement. All organisations, and particularly service deliverers, have to respect the changing markets and environments in which they work. The writing has been on wall for the BBC and independent schools for some time. Too little has been done too late.
In the case of the BBC status alone will not secure contracts if realistic bids are not made. Independent schools should have grasped “the privilege” of charitable status and developed the rigour of the majority of the charitable sector. The majority of charities owe their very existence to hard earned donations based on genuine social impact. This season of goodwill is pivotal to them. They cannot rely on any degree of fee income. I would love more independent schools to get real on this and work with parties of all political persuasion to truly and rigorously demonstrate what good they can do based on the numbers of Pupil Premium and Free School Meals children they offer outreach to and bursaries to. For me nothing else will do …