Attack on ‘hostile’ charity chiefs

The head of Wolverhampton Grammar School has accused the Charity Commission of being hostile and “sabre-rattling” towards independent schools with charitable status.

Dr Bernard Trafford said it was possible some private schools would consider giving up their charitable status to escape the “excessive bureaucracy” from the organisation.

He spoke out as it emerged that losing the charitable status would only have a limited impact on the schools’ finances and would free it from intrusive rules.

The belief that all education is charitable, thus allowing schools to enjoy tax breaks, ends next year. It means schools must prove they provide a public benefit.

But Dr Trafford said some schools were receiving what could be perceived to be threats from the Charity Commission, such as replacing the board of governors with members of the commission if they did not pass the public benefit test.

He said: “Someone, somewhere [in the Charity Commission] has got an anti-independent school agenda.”

He said that while abandoning charitable status would “go against our heart”, the possibility was now being considered by several schools.

“A lot of us will explore this option now these kind of crazy, hostile voices are being floated again,” he said.

Dr Trafford, who is also chairman of the Headmasters’ & Headmistresses’ Conference, which represents more than 250 independent schools, added: “We want to fulfil our charitable purpose because it’s right, not because it ticks boxes.”

Rosie Chapman, executive director of policy and effectiveness at the commission, has said the organisation could freeze bank accounts and “go nuclear” against schools that fail to meet the public benefit test.

Steps being taken by schools to prove public benefit include increasing bursaries for pupils from poorer families and opening sports facilities.

Moves such as sponsoring city academies are also being explored. Lord Adonis, the schools’ minister, will use a speech next week to promote academies.

Andrew Hind, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: “The public benefit requirement is not something any charity should fear. It is an opportunity for charities to articulate even more clearly the value they bring.”