A group representing more than 1,400 private schools will launch legal action against the government’s decision to charge VAT to independent school fees.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC), an umbrella body of seven associations representing private schools in the UK and abroad, is pressing ahead with its plans after the board voted in favor of a legal challenge.

Human rights lawyer Lord David Pannick KC will lead the action for the ISC, working with Paul Luckhurst of Blackstone Chambers and law firm Kingsley Napley.

A pre-action letter regarding plans to take action in the High Court will be sent to the Government shortly.

It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in her Budget on Wednesday that she plans to impose 20% VAT on private schools from January.

The government estimated the policy would raise £460 million next year, rising to £1.7 billion by 2029/30.

ISC board members voted to take legal action at a meeting Thursday.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of ISC, said: “This is a decision that was not taken lightly and has been under consideration for many months.

“At all times during this debate, we have focused on the children in our schools who would be negatively affected by this policy.

“This priority remains and we will defend the rights of families who have chosen independent education, but who may no longer be able to do so due to an unprecedented school tax. »

On average, the government expects tuition fees at private schools to increase by around 10% following the introduction of VAT, according to a policy document published on Wednesday.

The government predicted that 35,000 pupils would enter UK state schools “in a long-term stable state” following the VAT policy in January.

A further 2,000 children will leave private schools, including international pupils who will not join the UK public system or domestic pupils who will undertake home education.

A total of 37,000 pupils leaving or never entering the sector equates to around 6% of the current private school population, the government said.

On Wednesday, the government announced it would increase funding for the Educational Continuity Allowance (CEA), which helps mobile military and diplomatic families pay boarding school fees for their children, before imposing VAT on private schools next year.

The move follows warnings from staff that they could leave the armed forces if they do not receive help ahead of the VAT changes.

But the ISC remains concerned about the impact of VAT policy on small faith schools, specialist arts and music provision, and on thousands of children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in private schools.

The ISC said the legal case would focus on alleged violations of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

It will be separate from other litigation, but the ISC will liaise with these other third-party groups.

A UK Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not comment on potential litigation.”