The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) this week published a report which stated Lomond School was amongst nine educational institutions which were at risk of losing their charitable statuses after initially failing to meet a ‘charity test’. It stated the fees they charged ‘unduly restricted access to the educational benefits the schools provided’.

After following instructions to widen access to the public benefit they provide the Stafford Street school was subsequently reassessed and now meets the charity test.

Martin Tyson, OSCR’s head of registration, said that the review of the charitable status of 52 fee-charging schools demonstrated the role of the Regulator in maintaining public confidence, by taking action to make sure that Scottish charities comply with the requirements of charity law.

Mr Tyson said: “From the commencement of the charity legislation in 2006, we identified fee-charging schools as a priority group that continues to have a high degree of interest from the public. Where we have found problems we have taken action to ensure that charities are all now doing what the charity test requires.” At the time of the investigation in 2007-08 the fees charged at Lomond School totalled £8,085 for day pupils in the senior school.

Then, two pupils at school were in receipt of means tested bursaries, representing less than one per cent of the school roll.

By October 2011 – the end of the direction period – Lomond School had increased its means tested bursaries to 10 pupils, around two per cent of the pupil roll.

The report concluded: “While there is some variation in the make up of the types of assistance provided, the increase in the amount of means-tested financial assistance provided has taken place broadly as planned. Compared to the projections in the charity’s plan, there is some increase on the amount of funding available in comparison to the charity’s income, and the proportion of the school roll in receipt of assistance, over the projections in the plan.” Johanna Urquhart, principal of Lomond School, said: “As a result of feedback from OSCR Lomond School has moved from offering traditional scholarships (for academic or creative excellence) to means tested bursaries, which offer applicants up to 100 per cent of tuition fees.

“More information about financial assistance for families can be found on the Lomond School website. As a school we are pleased with the result of OSCR’s summary report and we will continue to work closely with the Regulator to ensure that the school continues to meet the regulations for charitable status.” John Edward, director of The Scottish Council of Independent Schools, added: “This concise report should be essential reading for all those who seek to pass comment on the independent sector. It details the long and often difficult process for schools to meet a test that was designed, legislated for and implemented in the Scottish Parliament.” OSCR’s report, along with summary reports for all of the schools, is published at www.oscr.org.uk