Duncan Murphy joins Evan Davies on BBC Radio 4’s The Bottom Line

Duncan Murphy joins Evan Davies on BBC Radio 4’s The Bottom Line featured image
24 July 2024

Duncan Murphy, Director of Education at MTM Consulting, was delighted visit the BBC last week to join host, Evan Davis and other education sector experts, to record an edition of Radio 4’s The Bottom Line.

Evan Davis chaired a topical discussion about The Business of Private Schools, and how independent schools are continuing to provide a first-class education in this challenging economic climate. Inevitably the government’s plans to add VAT to independent school fees and the steps that schools may be able to take to mitigate the effects of this was covered. Duncan was grateful to have participated in such an insightful, worthwhile dialogue at a pivotal time. With over 25 years of experience in the education sector, he has seen many changes and believes wholeheartedly that change brings opportunity and opportunity brings hope.

Two key messages from Duncan come across loud and clear during the programme:

  • School leaders need to use evidence, in the form of catchment analysis and price elasticity data, together with robust strategic intelligence to fully inform and stress-test important decision-making for their organisation’s future sustainability.
  • The government must place wellbeing and the genuine preparation of all students, irrespective of their background, for life beyond the school gate at the heart of any educational policy or reform.

The podcast of the programme can be heard on BBC Sounds.

If you would like to continue the discussion, or find out more about how MTM Consulting can assist your organisation, please get in touch with Duncan Murphy.

“Children, no matter their background or school, are the bedrock of educational purpose and their collective wellbeing should be at the core of policy”

Duncan Murphy, Director of Education, MTM Consulting

FAQs

Latest News & Analysis

MTM News

Emily Hargest
|
9th October 2026

Understand Your Market, Strengthen Your School

Featured image for Understand Your Market, Strengthen Your School
At this year’s Prep Heads Conference at Radley College, I talked about something many heads are living with: falling pupil numbers. Over the last decade, a great many prep schools...
Read News Article

MTM Analysis

Emily Hargest
|
28th September 2026

VAT on school fees: What did the House of Lords debate tell school leaders?

Featured image for VAT on school fees: What did the House of Lords debate tell school leaders?
On 17 September 2026, the House of Lords returned to one of the most contentious issues facing the independent schools sector: the impact of VAT on school fees. The debate,...
Read Analysis