Shakespeare’s Globe has been accused of discriminating against private school pupils with its “divisive” ticket pricing.
In its workshop pricing, the arts institution charges higher fees to independent schools for drama classes and tours around the Globe.
It offers state schools tickets at £12 per student, while the institution demands £14 per private pupil. Tickets for international students sit at £16.
The Globe, along London’s Bankside, boasts about its “active approach to learning” to make Shakespeare “accessible” for a young audience.
The workshop aims to “promote cultural capital, historical understanding and access to literary heritage” as well as boosting students’ comprehension, vocabulary and storytelling.
It also says it “personal, social and emotional development (PSHE) through role-play and group activities, boosting communication and confidence”.
Meanwhile, the National Space Academy, which is funded by the Government’s UK Space Agency, forces private schools to pay £200 more than state schools for a four-hour physics and science “masterclass”.
For a talk at a school assembly, the academy charges £250 for private schools and £150 for state schools, on top of travel costs.
Parents have blamed Labour’s VAT on independent schools for the ‘two-tier’ tickets
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However, a one-hour talk skyrockets in costs to £750 for independents, while it is £300 cheaper their state-funded counterparts.
Parents and employees within the private school community have piled blame onto Labour for the “two-tier pricing” after the Government slapped VAT on independents.
Chairman of the parent-led campaign group Education Not Taxation told The Telegraph the difference in costs did “nothing to reduce inequality.
“We are disappointed to learn that organisations such as the National Space Academy are discriminating against, or outright excluding, children simply because they attend independent schools,” he told the paper.
‘TWO-TIER’ BRITAIN – READ MORE:
The National Theatre has adopted dynamic pricing to fund discounted tickets for students
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GETTY“This two-tier approach does nothing to reduce inequality and fails to recognise the complex reality of families and education.
“It can penalise children from lower-income families who attend independent schools on bursaries, while allowing children from wealthier families in state schools to participate.”
Last year, it was revealed the National Theatre adopted dynamic pricing to fund discounted tickets for students, unemployed and union members.
The taxpayer-funded institution confirmed it would adjust prices in line with supply and demand to maintain its commitment to keeping a quarter of all seats at £30 or below.
While these cheaper “accessible” tickets can be purchased by anyone, they are restricted to two per customer.
Additionally, “reduced standby” seats priced between £20 and £30 become available exclusively to unemployed people, students and union members one hour before the curtain.
One father said he was quoted £440 to take his partner and two children to a Saturday matinee of War Horse in June.
Meanwhile, another family received a quote of just £160 for comparable stall seats at a Monday evening showing of the same production.
GB News has approached the National Space Academy and the Shakespeare’s Globe for comment.