MPs are working with pupils and families following the news that an independent private school in Reading is at risk of closure.
St Joseph’s College, a Catholic secondary school in Upper Redlands Road, East Reading, has served as an educational institution since 1894.
But a letter by the Board of Governors at the school states it has begun a consultation to seek suggestions on how to keep the college open.
If no viable solution is found, the school will close on Friday, July 10.
Reacting to this, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, said: “Following the news about plans to close St Joseph’s College, we would like to help families and young people who are affected.
“Since the announcement, we have been in contact with the College and with Reading Borough Council, and we hope that students and families can be supported at this difficult time.
“We understand that there may be places at a number of other local schools, and we hope that arrangements can be made as soon as possible to provide these and to reassure young people and their families.”
The college is located within the Redlands ward of Reading Borough, within Mr Rodda’s constituency.
A statement has also been provided by Yuan Yang, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley.
Although the school is not within her constituency, it is located close by and students who live there are expected to be impacted.
She is working alongside Mr Rodda to support the families and young people who are affected.
Ms Yang said: “Since the announcement, we have started reaching out to Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils to find ways forward for students.
“We understand that there may be places available at a number of other local schools, and we hope that arrangements can be made as soon as possible to provide these and to reassure young people and their families.”
The Labour government has been criticised for removing the VAT exemption on private school fees last year.
That means families must pay 20 per cent VAT on each term of private tuition.
The removal of the VAT exemption was a manifesto that the Labour Party ran on during the general election in 2024.
The change is expected to raise £1.5 billion for the government each year, which is being reinvested in the state education system, which 93-94 per cent of children attend.
Tax raised has been used to recruit 6,500 teachers and create 3,000 new and expanded school-based nurseries across England by upgrading spare spaces in primary schools.
In Reading, the money has been used to set up free breakfast clubs at Caversham Park Primary School and St Anne’s Catholic Primary School, the latter of which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited last November.
