VAT on school fees, the end of their business rates relief, a big hike in employers’ National Insurance contributions, falling pupil rolls. It is no exaggeration to say that independent schools in England have had a very tough couple of years financially.

These pressures have already forced some independent schools to close, but what if, rather than closing, these struggling schools became state schools instead?

That may sound outlandish but, as my new report for the Private Education Policy Forum shows, 27 independent schools have jumped from the independent sector into the state sector since 2007 – either as academies or free schools.

So why did these independent schools decide to move into the state sector? What obstacles did they face along the way? And, crucially, have these former independent schools become successful state schools?

To discuss this new report, I’m delighted to be joined by my co-author, Dr Tilly Clough, a lecturer in law at Queen's University Belfast.

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