Since the general election in July 2024, independent schools have found themselves facing significant political and financial headwinds – from the introduction of VAT to increases in national insurance contributions. Noises on the ground suggest some private schools may find the idea of becoming a state-funded academy increasingly appealing.
Since the early 2000s, 27 independent schools in England have moved into the state sector as academies or as free schools. While this figure is small, it nonetheless represents a significant shift for the individual schools concerned.
What were their experiences? Did it go well, or turn out wrong? Should more schools do that same? What policy recommendations are there for government?
Co-authored by Tom Richmond (former DfE adviser and EDSK thintank founder) and Tilly Clough (Queen’s University Belfast academic and specialist in private schools and charity law), this report launches some meaty policy ideas for the Department for Education.
PEPF also ran a launch event on 27 February 2026 with a panel to discuss and debate the findings.
On the panel were:
- Hans Broekman (former principal of Liverpool College, an HMC school which converted to an academy in 2013)
- Tom Legge (managing director of Premier Advisory Group, which supports new free schools to open)
- Tom Richmond (report co-author, former DfE adviser and EDSK thinktank founder)
- Fran Russell (executive director, Waldorf UK)
- chair: Jess Staufenberg (journalist and director, Private Education Policy Forum)
Listen to the Inside Your Ed podcast with Tom Richmond and Tilly Clough here.
