Glasgow’s main secondary school serving wealthier residents gets ‘unfair’ tax break

A Glasgow secondary school which has been named the best performing secondary school in Scotland is getting an 80 per cent discount on business rates that other state schools cannot access.

Jordanhill, which serves some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods, enjoys this benefit because of its charitable status. League tables recently showed the West End school came top for the seventh year in a row, with its pupils achieving the highest exam grades and 90% of pupils leaving with five or more higher qualifications in 2023.

The state primary and secondary school is directly funded by the Scottish Government, unlike other schools in the city which are run by the council. It is also run as a charity, meaning it can enjoy financial benefits not available to its council counterparts.

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One of the benefits of this measure is an 80 percent reduction in business rates. According to the Scottish Government website, the school is liable for £261,332 in business rates.

The Record reports the cut would mean the school would save £209,065 – the equivalent of the salaries of six trainee teachers. Nearby, council-run Drumchapel High, which serves poorer communities, is owed £184,470.00 and receives no reduction.

Councils pay their schools’ fees, not the school itself. Private schools are also classed as charities and used to receive an 80 per cent reduction on business rates, but this reduction was removed by the SNP after a review of the system.

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It comes as Glasgow City Council plans to cut hundreds of teaching posts in a bid to save money. The local authority is facing a huge black hole and teachers’ salaries represent a significant part of the budget.

George Redmond, Labor leader on Glasgow council, said: “It doesn’t seem right. Schools serving poorer areas should benefit from a level playing field.

A council spokesperson said: “Jordanhill (technically the Board of Governors) benefits from mandatory 80% relief, due to its charitable status. Councils have the discretion to increase this amount up to 100%, we have not – they pay the remaining 20%.

He added: “Schools run by local authorities are not eligible for charitable support. »

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Local authorities are responsible for the collection and administration of the non-national rates system. The Scottish Government is unable to comment on the situation of individual taxpayers.

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