Trinity Christian School in Reading

For over twelve years, Trinity Christian School has offered high-quality primary education in the heart of Reading. We provide a nurturing, inclusive environment where nursery and primary age children grow — academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our staff work hard to create a caring environment where children are known, nurtured and helped to flourish, including those who have previously struggled in larger settings. (Website: Trinity Christian School)

The financial crisis we are facing

We are now facing an immediate and unprecedented funding gap. The introduction of 20% VAT on private school fees (from 1 January 2025) and the removal of charitable business rates relief for private schools in England (from 1 April 2025) have together created a level of cost pressure that a small school like ours cannot absorb. The loss of 80% charitable rates relief has meant a 400% increase in rates. The 20% VAT on fees means we cannot increase fees to cover this exhorbitant overhead burden.

Despite repeated efforts to secure help and clarity through the usual channels and asking Reading Borough Council for Business rates Relief, we have not received the relief needed to keep operating on our current footing. This has meant that without urgent, significant support, our only alternative is to close after Easter 2026 (5 April 2026).

Our survival is dependent upon a number of variables like the ability to attract suitable staff, number of pupils, and the outcome of legal challenges. Nevertheless, any financial contribution, small or large, will contribute towards maintaining our services while we pursue longer-term sustainability .

Given staff and pupil availability, £100,000 would possibly allow us to operate through to the end of 2026/27 academic year. This may assist in seeing the Business Rates battle through the courts.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Why Trinity’s fight matters beyond our own pupils

Trinity has a history of standing up, respectfully but firmly, when government policy is applied in ways that threaten the ability of faith schools to operate with integrity. We are now taking on the government again—this time on business rates—and Trinity is the only school in the country pursuing this specific challenge in the courts. If the school closes, that court case is placed in jeopardy, and a rare opportunity to test the policy’s impact on small charitable schools could be lost.

What happened in 2014 and why it still matters

In September 2014, the Department for Education changed the Independent School Standards so that schools in England were required to “actively promote” what the government called “fundamental British values,” including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. In practice, many people/schools—including Trinity —raised concerns that the wording was vague and that some inspections blurred the vital distinction between respecting people (which is always right) and being pressured to endorse every belief or lifestyle (which may conflict with a school’s religious convictions). Trinity was told it faced closure for not promoting other faiths and that non-Christian religious leaders (for example Imams) must be asked to lead assemblies. Eventually, the Department for Education backed down.

Trinity won back in 2014, and helped to secure freedom for the rest the country. The school again is doing the same thing.

If you are able to give towards our urgent needs, you will be helping to keep a small, vital school open for its children and families—and helping to ensure that Trinity’s challenge on business rates is not derailed by closure.

Thank you for any support you can offer, and for sharing this appeal with others who may be able to help.