Independent school to shut due to financial issues

An independent school described as "deliberately small" with about 200 pupils is to close.

Pitsford School, in Northamptonshire, which opened in 1989 and teaches pupils aged four to 18, will shut on 10 July.

Posting on its website, Dr Craig Walker, the school's headteacher, said it was never a decision its governors wanted to take and it had exhausted "every possible option to secure the future of the school".

He said the introduction of VAT on school fees, increases in wages, higher interest rates and the "wider economic uncertainty" had put significant pressure on private schools.

One comment on the school's Facebook said the news was "sad" and "telling people with three weeks' notice before the end of term, children are very upset".

Walker said the school had completed a "comprehensive review of our cost base, resulting in significant restructuring and reduction in expenditure".

The school is run by Northamptonshire Independent Grammar School Charity Trust and in 2014 had 278 pupils.

Termly fees start at £3,360 and go up to £5,835.

Walker added that it had tried to "identify potential partners, acquirers or merger opportunities".

"We know this news will be shocking and sad and will cause uncertainty for our school community.

"We ask that everyone remembers our pupils, as we will concentrate on ensuring that the final days of our students' journey, are calm and that they leave with happy memories, positive experiences and a sense of pride in having been part of this wonderful school community.

"The school is taking professional advice in relation to its financial position and it is likely that administrators will be appointed immediately following the end of term."

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