Large private schools have been accused of 'opportunistic' behaviour in a bun fight to 'hoover up' pupils from those closing due to Labour's VAT.

Sector experts say bigger schools are 'poaching' children from those that are due to shut at the end of the summer.

Many are telling families they can have a place but only if they move now – meaning they have to pay the summer term's fees to both schools.

Families are complying because they are desperate to find another school, but only those wealthy enough to pay twice can take up the offer.

The tactic was exposed by Landwood Group, which advises private schools on restructuring and is helping many impacted by the new tax.

Labour imposed VAT on school fees in 2025, meaning some smaller, cheaper schools have been made financially unviable due to parents being priced out.

Helen Jude, partner at Landwood Group, said: 'Parents we are speaking to are being approached by bigger independent schools saying that they can offer their child a place – but fees need to be paid upfront by Easter.

'These parents have already paid in full for this academic year and there will be little to no chance of getting any of that money back.

'The biggest well-run schools will hoover up the wealthiest pupils and just get better, whilst sadly the smaller independent schools will just go.'

A spokesman for the company added: 'This is an opportunity [for large schools] to boost their own numbers.

'Nearly every eligible private school within a three mile radius has been advertising on their website for places for those from a closed down school.

'Someone's misfortunate becomes someone else's opportunity.'

Landwood has previously said 2026 could be an 'even worse' year for school closures, after 65 announced closures or mergers last year.

It said it had heard 'anecdotal evidence' that larger private schools are actively approaching parents with the 'pay upfront' offer.

In some cases, they are even asking for a whole year's fees in advance.

Costs average across the sector at £19,000 per year for day schools and £50,000 for boarding.

Landwood also said there have been reports of pupils being forced to sit new entrance exams, even in Year 11, when moving due to their school closing down.

This is despite many of them having previously passed tests to gain entry to their former schools.

Landwood said: 'It does seem like a grab of the best and the elite.'

Landwood said it predicted the fall-out from school closures will be a surge of pupils moving into the state sector; more home-schooling; and pressure on places in areas with high private school numbers such as Edinburgh, the North West and parts of South East England.

It said the sector is now at a 'point of no return' as schools grapple with a 35 per cent rise in operating costs since 2023 and potentially 30 per cent fewer new enrolments.

In addition to the pressure caused by VAT, other factors include the loss of charitable business rates relief and a rise in the contributions private schools have to make to the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).

A Government spokesman said: 'Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94 per cent of children in state schools, to help ensure excellence everywhere for every child.'