THE Scottish Charity Law Review Commission, chaired by Jean McFadden, a leading Labour councillor in Glasgow, does not single out independent schools in its 114 recommendations, although it acknowledges pressure from some quarters.
Judith Sischy, director of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, said fees might rise by 3 to 8 per cent. Schools pay no more than 20 per cent of non-domestic rates on buildings and also fear this relief could go.
The council says the schools make “an educational, economic and social contribution which is widely recognised”. The sector employs 6,000 teachers and support staff and educates more than 30,000 children.
“Independent schools offer not only education to large numbers of children but also access to their facilities, help with educational concerns, attractive buildings, employment opportunities and a boost to the local economy,” Mrs Sischy said this week.
