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One might reasonably ask why they have picked out independent education as a focus of their dislike. In our society, all kinds of luxury and even advantage can be bought and sold. Noone sensible is proposing that we add VAT to private medicine — indeed, private healthcare will probably be used to support the NHS. Nor is there a clamour to get rid of first-class travel or five-star hotels. However, purchasing an excellent education is perceived to be in a different category from buying a nicer holiday or faster healthcare. The purchase of a better education is seen as an advantage that will echo through the life of the child, transforming his or her life opportunities for the better. It is the archetypal gift that keeps giving. To quote the lyrics of The Jam’s song Eton Rifles (referring, of course, to Eton College), ‘What chance have you got against a tie and a crest?’.

Of course, this ignores the ways in which independent schools support a wide network of state schools, both primary and secondary. Independent schools want every child to benefit from that ‘tie and crest’; each has a vast array of activities and partnerships. At ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’ up to a thousand stateschool pupils have used our facilities over the course of a week. We assist state schools with applications to Oxbridge and medical colleges. We train staff at other schools to teach Science and Maths. Local primaries take part in orchestras, joint musical events and in special learning days. Sixth Formers visit local primary schools to offer teaching in robotics, Latin and Computing. We also offer our facilities and support outdoor activities in our school grounds.

With the advent of VAT, I am even more mindful of my school’s duty to provide value for money. The judgment of whether something is good value is not objective. It is not associated with some sweet spot on a graph where two lines of numerical value cross. It is to do with perception, opinion and even a sense of shared endeavour. We are dependent upon a delighted parental body who remain willing to pay their child’s school fees. The Governors have agreed to lower our school fees to mitigate the extra 20% the VAT will add to a fee; the effect on parents will be equivalent to an extra 15%.

When I ask parents what they want for their child they tell me that their overriding priority is that their son is happy. We know that we have to move heaven and earth to allow our pupils the best opportunity to find academic success. However, we also know that the things the children will carry away from their education, when they have forgotten all they once knew about quadratic equations and Boyle’s Law, will be the intangibles. Have they learnt how to lead? Have they learnt how to serve? Have they learnt how to foster friendship? Have they learnt to trust themselves? Have they learnt to trust others? Have they learnt how to learn? And above all, the overarching question: have they learnt how to be happy? If we can deliver that, then we will have achieved value for money in the pupils’ education.

I still hope for a change in the attitude taken by Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, towards independent education. At present it seems to be encapsulated by the words of Sherlock Holmes describing Sebastian Moran, Moriarty’s right-hand man: ‘He was educated at Eton and at Oxford, so Watson, bring the gun’.

How much better if we could ally the resources that the private and state sectors can bring to bear. What if we were to consider the possible future partnership between the NHS and private health as a possible model for the future of our children’s education?

Concordia will be emailed to parents over the holidays and will also be available to view on the school website. If you would prefer a hard copy, please do email development@mtsn.org.uk and we will arrange it. OMTs will receive their copy in the post later in December.’