The head of the Princess Royal’s former school is among leaders condemning Labour’s bid to end tax breaks for private education.

Benenden School headmistress Samantha Price says the policy will “increase the divide” between state and independent sectors.

The boarding school head also fears the “real tragedy” of the proposals is many smaller institutions will be forced to close, including those specialising in helping children with special educational needs.

On Wednesday, His Majesty confirmed the government’s proposals to remove tax exemptions for private schools at the King’s Speech.

It means VAT at 20% will be added to fees in a blow to parents and the independent sector.

Labour argues the measure will pay for 6,500 new state-sector teachers across the UK.

But critics fear few organisations can absorb the sudden hike.

Mrs Price says she fully agrees with the principle of improving education in the UK.

But she argues harming one sector to benefit another is not the best way to achieve it.

“Sadly, this policy will only increase the divide between the maintained and independent sectors by pricing even more families out of independent schools,” she said.

“Ironically, this is at a time when the two sectors are working together more closely than ever, which benefits children at both types of school.”

Princess Anne joined the Benenden School, near Tenterden, as a pupil in 1963.

She has returned several times since leaving for special occasions.

Boarding fees for the 2024-25 school year are £16,738 per term and for day students £12,094 per term.

Mrs Price added: “Benenden is in the fortunate position of being able to withstand this financial challenge but we will not be able to absorb the full cost.

“Few organisations can absorb a sudden 20 per cent cost increase and will have to pass on some of this cost to parents.

“The real tragedy of this policy is many smaller schools will be forced to close, including those which specialise in helping children with special educational needs.”

Elsewhere, Northbourne Park School’s headmaster Mark Hammond says small-to-medium-sized sites, such as his own, will be impacted, rather than larger ones.

“The challenge for the sector at the moment is it is just a headline,” the head of the Betteshanger school, near Deal, said.

“Although this policy has been announced, there is no real detail behind it so it is difficult for schools to plan as we do not know what it is.

“Our big concern is it could be disruptive for individual children but we cater for those with special needs who need the approach we provide at the school and there is a fear they could be forced out of the sector.”

Mr Hammond adds the idea all private schools reflect the so-called elitism of places such as Eton is “not the reality”.

And he says admissions to private institutions are already lower and this could make the situation worse.

“Independent schools are very diverse,” he added. “You have a range of different sizes and the parents are very diverse.

“We provide hundreds of thousands of pounds of bursaries each year and we provide excellent support for children with special needs and emotional social needs who struggle with other settings.

“The irony of the policy is the schools [Labour] is trying to target are not those which will be as impacted as small schools which do not fit that stereotype.”

Kent County Council were asked to comment over suggestions there could be an influx of pupils expected to move to state school.