£2.2m of taxpayers' money used to support King William's College

'Repayable grant' awarded as part of DfE's Financial Assistance Scheme

MHKs have described their 'absolute shock' that government has given £2.2 million to a private education facility in the Isle of Man.

In the House of Keys this afternoon (8 April) Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper asked the Enterprise Minister Tim Johnston 'whether any application for financial support has been made by King William's College, or a connected body.'

Mr Johnston confirmed that a 'repayable grant' has been awarded to King William's College under his department's Financial Assistance Scheme.

He stated that seven applications have been made by the school to his department between 2020 and 2024; with three withdrawn.

Two applications have been completed and paid, one has been completed but not yet paid, and the most recent application has 'resulted in an offer being made, which was accepted last week (4 April), although no payment has been made against this offer at this stage'.

Mr Hooper then repeatedly asked whether the money had been solely granted in light of recent VAT changes imposed by the UK government.

Onchan MHK Julie Edge stated she was 'absolutely shocked' the money had been awarded, and Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher questioned the 'potential exacerbation of educational inequality' on the Island.

She said: "It feels wrong that government would be propping up private education whilst state schools face such financial pressures."

Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas sought clarification on whether the money was classed as a loan or a grant. 

Mr Johnston insisted the 'fully repayable grant' is not to foot the bill of VAT increases, but rather is to support changes to the structure of the school to meet that 'challenge':

King William’s College has confirmed the funding aims to help cover construction costs as part of the school’s 'long-term sustainability strategy'.

Current developments on campus include the creation of a new Fourth Form Centre, upgrades to boys’ boarding facilities, and the relocation of classrooms and offices.

These changes form part of a wider plan to move The Buchan School onto the King William’s College site.

The Buchan School site at Westhill in Castletown was sold to Isle of Man-based developer Hartford Homes earlier this year.

The construction work is being delivered by local contractors with the support of Manx professional advisers.

Chairman of Governors Peter Clucas described the funding as a 'fully repayable grant, not a gift or subsidy', and said it would enable the school to move ahead with key infrastructure improvements.

Enabling works are already underway, with a detailed schedule expected to be confirmed soon.

An update is due at the start of the summer term.