Preparatory school meets the charity test

Scotland's charity regulator has confirmed that a fee-charging preparatory school in Edinburgh meets the charity test.  Cargilfield School, Barnton, (SC005757) had been assessed by OSCR under its ongoing programme of individual reviews of charitable status.

Cargilfield offers education to children aged from three to 13 years of age and also provides boarding facilities.  The school roll, including nursery children, is approximately 320.

OSCR's Head of Charity Services, Martin Tyson, said:

'On balance, we considered that the arrangements currently in place to allow access to the benefit provided by Cargilfield School are sufficient to mitigate the fees charged.  Cargilfield School, therefore, does not unduly restrict access to public benefit and meets the charity test.'

Fee-charging schools remain a priority group for assessment by OSCR.  The regulator also intends to publish a report in the New Year setting out all its individual review decisions to date, including Cargilfield School, and containing key lessons for the sector.

ENDS

Issued by OSCR, 9 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY.  For further information, contact Mark Simpson on 01382 220446 or email: communications@oscr.org.uk

Background

1. OSCR is the independent regulator and registrar of Scotland's 23,500 charities.  OSCR publishes the Scottish Charity Register at www.oscr.org.uk
2. OSCR's vision is for a flourishing charity sector in which the public has confidence, underpinned by OSCR's effective delivery of its role.
3. Of the 23,500 charities entered in the Scottish Charity Register, 58 run schools which are also members of the Scottish Council for Independent Schools.  To date, OSCR has assessed 13 independent schools.  Of these, seven met the charity test and five were issued with Directions and subsequently met the test. Fee charging schools remain a priority group for OSCR in its ongoing work.