A Hampshire private school has seen three families move their children to state education after the government's plans to introduce VAT on fees.

The King's School in Fair Oak has launched a legal challenge against the government's legislation in a bid to prevent passing extra fees onto parents.

Headteacher Caroline Santer has been working at the school for 17 years and said this was the biggest challenge facing independent faith schools in recent history.

The government plans to scrap the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools from January in a bid to fund 6,500 new teachers in state schools.

Mrs Santer told the Echo: “We have lost three families directly due to the impact of this government legislation.

Headteacher, Caroline SanterHeadteacher, Caroline Santer (Image: Submitted) “We know it can be really traumatic for children to have to go to a new school – its seems harsh for the government to force parents into this position.

“One of theses children has been offered a school place 30 miles away – ultimately passing more cost onto the government for transportation.

“I think this scheme has been poorly timed by the government – most independent schools have already set their budget for the year.”

Unlike other private schools, most parents choose to send their children to the King’s School as it is a Christian faith school.

The headteacher has warned that smaller independent schools, which are operating on limited budgets, are going to bear the brunt of the new legislation.

Mrs Santer added: “Other large private schools are able to claim back VAT on big infrastructure developments. As we have always operated on a tight budget, we have not had any big developments.

“Last year we had just a 0.3 per cent profit margin – all our money is spent ton the children and maintenance for the building.

“The government has said the money will allow them to employ 6,500 new teachers in state schools - my background is in state schools, and I do understand recruitment is an issue.

“However, I don’t fell that the maths adds up – in reality I don’t think the government will have recouped enough funding for this amount of teachers.”