WINDERMERE School will be moving to one site in response to the Government's announcement of 20 per cent VAT on fees for independent schools.

School bosses said while the move to one site has been in the making for several years, the governors made the decision following the result of the election.

The independent day and boarding school in the Lake District said it did not want to compromise its 'unique offering and experience for all pupils.' 

The junior school campus, on Ambleside Road, will be relocated into renovated facilities on the senior school site. The transition is expected by January 2025, subject to building works. 

Chair of Governors Peter Hogan said: “In the face of this large and sudden increase in costs we are not prepared to cut back on what we offer children or compromise the quality and variety of our extra-curricular activities. At the same time, we do not want parents to have to bear the full impact of the tax."

Along with the move, the governors also announced a reduction in fees for the youngest year groups and an increase below the level of VAT for all the others. 

The Labour Government confirmed that VAT will be charged on private school fees from January weeks after taking office following the General Election. 

Currently independent schools do not have to charge 20 per cent VAT on their fees because there is an exemption for the supply of education. The government said removal of VAT and business rates relief will enable funding for 6,500 new teachers in state schools. 

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Windermere School promised that children from pre-school to year 6 will benefit from age-appropriate access to the specialist facilities located on the senior school site. They will also have access to new play and forest school areas, and the facilities they enjoy such as Design Technology, Music and Art will be maintained, the school said. 

The school added senior pupils will have increased opportunities to mentor and support their younger peers. 

Frank Thompson, head of Windermere School, said: "We will not lose sight of what makes our Junior School such an exceptional place for children to learn and grow. We are also looking forward to being together as one community on one site, with the happy sound of young children in the grounds.”