Boarding school set to close with staff 'unpaid'

Staff at an independent school in Staffordshire said they were left "shocked" after the announcement that the school is due to close later this month.

Teachers at Abbotsholme School, a day and boarding school near Rocester in Staffordshire, claimed they have not been paid their wages in May and were also told they would not be paid in June.

The school was recently sold, with its new owners confirming it would close on 22 June following a review of the school's finances.

The director of Abbotsholme 2026 Limited, Tony Costigan, declined to comment when asked by the BBC about the situation regarding staff wages.

"It has become apparent that the financial challenges facing the school are significantly greater than originally understood," he wrote in a letter to parents.

They had initially entered into the acquisition with the intention of securing the school's long-term future, he added.

The school's registrar, Charlotte Gallimore, said following the decision by the previous owners, Achieve Education, to sell Abbotsholme, a number of interested parties came forward including established educational organisations.

Gallimore said it was understood at the time of the sale that the school would continue to operate and that significant capital investment would be made to improve facilities and secure its future

She said staff were told on Thursday that they would not receive their May salaries and that their June salaries would also not be paid.

Despite this, they were encouraged to continue working until 22 June in order to support pupils through the final weeks of term, she added.

"The speed with which events unfolded has left many within the Abbotsholme community struggling to reconcile the assurances given at the point of sale with the reality that emerged just days later.

"Staff, parents and pupils who have been reassured about the school's future have been left shocked by the sudden turn of events."

Gallimore said that staff at the school faced losing both their jobs along with the unpaid wages.

"Despite these circumstances, staff have continued to turn up each day, placing the needs of pupils above their own personal and financial uncertainty," she added.

"If there is one positive story to emerge from this situation, it is the extraordinary professionalism, loyalty and care shown by the people who have made Abbotsholme what it is."

In his letter, Costigan said the school would remain fully open until 22 June.

His immediate priority, he added, was to ensure all pupils – particularly those sitting exams - were able to finish their studies with the minimum possible disruption.

"The pupils, staff and wider Abbotsholme community remain at the forefront of all discussions, and we are working hard to identify the best possible way forward," he said.

The MP for Burton and Uttoxeter, Jacob Collier, said he was aware of the school's impending closure and was in touch with the Department for Education and teaching unions.

"This is particularly worrying for staff who have reportedly not been paid for months and students ahead of exam season," he said.

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