Private school closing over 'financial pressures'

A private school founded in 1879 has closed for most pupils, with 166 staff members losing their jobs immediately.

St Lawrence College in Ramsgate, Kent, appointed administrators on Wednesday and announced the closure, with its 500 pupils due to return from holiday on 21 April.

The school has retained 44 staff to continue teaching year 11 and year 13 students, who are due to sit exams in May and June, according to administrators.

Chair of the governors Graham Carter said: "We explored every possible option to secure the school's future, and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to find a way forward."

In a statement issued by administrators FRP Advisory, the school, which has day and boarding pupils aged three to 18, said it had "faced sustained financial pressures in recent years".

"Declining pupil numbers, the introduction of VAT on school fees, rising operating costs and broader economic uncertainty contributed to an increasingly challenging position," it added.

The school had been in discussions to merge with Dover College - another private school in Kent - but announced in March it had stopped discussions after "significant, clear and voluble reaction around the school community".

Carter said: "We explored every possible option to secure the school's future, and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to find a way forward.

"While this is not the outcome we wanted, our focus now is on supporting our examination-year pupils to complete their studies, helping families find new school places, and ensuring our colleagues receive the support they deserve."

East Thanet MP Polly Billington said the school's finances had "been prioritised over the welfare and education of young people".

"St Lawrence College has been suffering financial difficulties for years so there is no excuse for declaring bankruptcy in the middle of the academic year without any prior warning to staff and families," she said.

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.

Kent County Council said that future arrangements for pupils "should be confirmed by the school and are a matter for individual families".

Parents looking for a state-funded school place can apply through the council's in-year admissions process, the council added.

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