Private schools charge councils up to £250k for each Send pupil

International investors are raking in millions from local authorities because mainstream schools cannot provide for the soaring number of children who need specialist support

- Jon Ungoed-Thomas

In November last year, a new independent school was officially opened in an imposing Victorian mansion set in 28 acres of parkland in Kent, with annual fees for day pupils of up to £104,000 a year.

Hilden Park is among several new independent schools across the country that are targeting local councils as their key clients, rather than affluent families. The schools are helping to meet the mounting need for support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

The Lib Dems have accused some providers of profiteering and want an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority. The market in England for independent school provision for children with Send could be worth £3bn by 2029.

Munira Wilson MP, the Lib Dem education, children and families spokesperson, said: "It is astounding that private equity companies are making huge profits from a system that has left families desperate for the very basic level of support."

The independent providers deny any profiteering.

Private equity funds and international investors have been attracted to the sector by guaranteed income streams and potential to "roll up" multiple businesses. This profit-producing pattern has already been made visible in veterinary practices, social care services and children’s homes.

Hilden Park, near Tonbridge, is operated by the Witherslack Group, one of the country’s biggest providers of specialist education, with 35 schools across the UK. Ultimately owned by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, it has seen revenues grow from £35m in 2014 to £208m in 2024, with profits after tax of £44.6m.

While Hilden Park is rated "outstanding" by Ofsted, many MPs and families say the market is dysfunctional and requires urgent reform. The Observer has found councils are regularly paying more than £250,000 a year for individual places in independent schools, while other children cannot get the support they need.