St Bede’s, which charges more than £14,000-a-year in the upper school, has operated a partnership with Manchester City since 2011, with around 60 pupils from the academy currently enrolled.
Ahead of the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said: “Many sports make use of independent schools for the flexibility that allows their young people to get an excellent academic education at the same time as honing their specialist skills.
“In turn, independent schools offer scholarships for those who show sporting promise, and partnerships sharing expertise and facilities with their local communities, bringing the benefits of sporting activity to thousands.”
Ms Robinson added: “Given concerns around the policy of putting VAT on fees, we’d prefer to work with the new Labour government on their priorities, including access to sporting opportunities, so that future generations can continue to bring football home.”
Labour has said the VAT imposition will not come into force until 2025.