Private schools are put on alert over fees and advised not to take money from Russian parents 

Private schools are on ‘high alert’ to block fee money from sanctioned Putin cronies and report it to the authorities.

The Independent Schools Council advised fee-paying schools they ‘must not’ accept money from Russian individuals or banks on the Government’s updated sanctions list. 

Universities will likely take similar action.  However, staff may delay taking action if they have safeguarding concerns.

Oligarchs have long favoured UK private schools, often boarding, which can provide a prestigious British education while parents enjoy a lavish jet-set lifestyle.

In addition, the government has also banned any Russian national living in the UK from having more than £50,000 in British banks.

It means even Russians who are far removed from Vladimir Putin could find it hard to process the funds to pay for fees.

If fees remain unpaid for a certain period – usually 14 days – the schools have the right to terminate the contact with the parents and the child would have to leave.

Fee paying schools ‘must not’ accept money from Russian individuals or banks, The Independent Schools Council has warned. Pictured: A generic stock image of pupils at a school

However, schools may delay this action if they have safeguarding concerns.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, said children’s ‘safety and wellbeing’ are a priority and that sanctions are drawn up by the government – not by the ISC.

However, she said: ‘Sanctions currently imposed on individuals and Russian banks mean schools must not accept payments of fees from these sources.

‘They are encouraged to remain on high alert over suspicious payments and expected to raise Suspicious Activity Reports if they have any concerns over the provenance of the money they are receiving.’

She added schools are conducting background checks on ‘sources of funds’ in accordance with guidance from the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association, which has been drawn up with legal experts.

‘Clearly, the support of the Home Office, National Crime Agency, NECC (National Economic Crime Centre) and other relevant authorities is hugely important,’ she added.

‘Associations representing independent schools work with these agencies to encourage vigilance against suspicious fee payments and ensure reporting is carried out as required under relevant laws and regulations.’