Welcome to the Spring 2022 edition of our briefing for independent schools.

As we appear to be emerging from the worst of the pandemic’s restrictions, schools are once again looking to generate more income and so I consider it timely to address this topic in this publication. Additionally, schools are pushing forwards with their building programmes and so I’m pleased that Ramzan Khan has summarised the VAT implications of such expenditure. We plan to continue this theme in our next publication with a case study of a client’s school building project. Continuing with taxes, Jamie Whale addresses the impact of withholding taxes on income from overseas, while Nick Bustin provides an update on employment taxes.

On a different note, trustees as well as other investors, are considering the environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria when making investment decisions and so we welcome Max King’s summary of the different approaches adopted.

As more schools are merging, Vikram Sandhu highlights certain financial implications for consideration and David Sewell reminds us of the recent update to the Charity Governance Code. For those of you not already aware, David retires at the end of March. I am grateful for his support and we all wish him a happy retirement.

I hope you find these articles of interest and do contact the authors if there are any matters which you wish to follow up. Furthermore, do let me know if there are any topics which you would like to see addressed in future publications.

Wishing you all a smooth end to this term and a restful Easter holiday.