Private school shuts for good during half term
GoogleA century-old private school has announced its closure at short notice.
Leweston School, near Sherborne, Dorset, posted on its website that it would not reopen after half term, but gave no reason.
The Catholic boarding and day school wrote: "We are very sorry for what this means for our pupils, their families and our staff, and for how little notice we have been able to give."
The school's alumni include actress Kristin Scott Thomas and Baroness Dido Harding, who ran the government's Covid-19 Test and Trace programme in England.
On Facebook, one woman connected with the school posted: "We are all very shocked."
Another wrote: "And after that amazing equestrian centre was built. So sad."
Families and staff have been contacted directly about the closure, the school's website said.
It added: "Every Leweston pupil has been offered a place from Monday 2 November at a school in the Inspired Learning Group, which includes Clayesmore School and Sunninghill Prep."
Clayesmore School is a private school in Iwerne Minster, a 19-mile (31km) drive away, while the journey to Sunninghill in Dorchester is nearly as long.
In December 2025, the school was sold to a subsidiary of Concept Education, a group which also runs The Marist School in Ascot, Berkshire.
In March 2026, Leweston School (Sherborne) Ltd registered a loan from HSBC Bank, offering all of its assets as security, according to a document at Companies House.
The school, which has pupils from nursery age to 18, was founded in 1891 as St Antony's and St Joseph's schools for girls.
It changed its name to Leweston School in 2007 and welcomed its first senior boys in 2018.
Concept Education has been approached for comment.
