Private schools across England are reducing their academic entry standards following the implementation of Labour's 20 per cent VAT charge on school fees.

Headteachers report being compelled to "widen the net" to maintain pupil numbers as applications decline significantly.

The tax, introduced in January, has prompted more than 11,000 children to leave private education in the past year.

This figure is more than four times higher than Treasury predictions.

Private schools across England are reducing their academic entry standards following the implementation of Labour's 20 per cent VAT charge on school fees

School leaders warn that the full impact has yet to materialise, with expectations of a larger exodus this summer.

Parents are expected to use the academic year's end as a natural departure point for their children.

A headmaster at a small Berkshire private school confirmed the severity of the situation.

He said: "It is a huge issue. One school very local to us has closed because of their September numbers. They just didn't have the numbers coming in September to make it viable."

Neil O'Brien, shadow education minister, criticised the policy

He revealed that numerous schools are now lowering entry standards, either reducing pass marks for entrance examinations or simplifying the tests themselves.

The headteacher explained: "Schools are having to widen the net. They are going further down their waiting lists because they need to."

He also noted that traditionally competitive schools where securing places was "very challenging" have become "less challenging this year," demonstrating sector-wide nervousness.

Neil O'Brien, Shadow Education Minister, renewed his criticisms of Labour's VAT raid.

He said: "So many independent schools in this country are on the brink thanks to Labour's education tax."

Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, has criticised the tax

Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, added that the policy was "nothing more than a tax on aspiration".

He also claimed that it would "achieve nothing more than pricing families out of private education and put more pressure on state schools."

When asked to apologise for school closures, including Moorlands School, Fulneck School and Queen Margaret's School, Education Minister Baroness Smith refused.

She said: "No [I won't apologise] because I am proud that this government is prioritising investment in the 93 per cent of our children who attend state schools.