Latest news with #StClare's
Wales Online
5 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Parents confident they can save school after raising £1.3m
Parents confident they can save school after raising £1.3m The money was donated in a matter of weeks after the shock announcement by the owners of St Clare's School in Porthcawl St Clare's School, Porthcawl Parents who send their children to a private school threatened with closure say they're confident they can save it after raising their target £1.3m to do so. The money was donated in a matter of weeks after the shock announcement by the owners of St Clare's School in Porthcawl that they were closing it. Owners Cognita said the school was successful academically but "economic volatility" and "factors beyond our control" meant they would have to shut it at the end of the Christmas term this year. In a letter to parents Cognita also blamed the falling local birth rate. They said projected pupil numbers for next academic year make the school "unsustainable". Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Parents determined to save the school disagree and say they now have a "viable" plan to keep the school open and hopefully in the same location. The building and grounds are owned by the Dalton family which leases them to Cognita, the group said. Natasha Bray, who has two children at the school was speaking on behalf of the campaign to save St Clare's. She said: "We have raised £1.3m which is phenomenal. We have had amazing support from parents and the local community. We have set up a charitable trust and are continuing to explore options." Helen Hier, head teacher of St Clare's School, Porthcawl Article continues below Talks are ongoing with Cognita as well as with Ffynone House, an independent school in Swansea which was also saved by parents. A trust the St Clare's Charitable Trust has been set up to run and manages the campaign funds and plan. "Everyone is still hopeful but with the longer time some parents are getting anxious and some students are leaving. But there are stil a lot of children who want to stay if we can fins a solution," said Natasha. "St Clare's is a fantastic school. It's more than a school, it's a family and a community. Everybody knows each other and children can be here from aged three to 18 so it's their whole young lives. "We are doing everything we can to keep the school open and we are very confident we have everything we need to move forward." In a statement on its website the Save St Clare's Trust said: "On Tuesday 6th May 2025, Cognita UK wrote to parents informing them that due to factors outside their control, they had begun a consultation with the staff about a proposal to close the school in December 2025. "The announcment left parents reeling, some having only started with the school at the beginning of the term or academic year. The news was particularly upsetting for our Year 10 and Year 12 students, who will be left without support for GCSE and A-Level courses not due to be completed until May/June 2026." St Clare's says on its website that it charges fees of between £2,000 and £6,000 a term for children aged from nursery to sixth form. The non-selective school, which is understood to have around 150 pupils, is run by education company Cognita UK, which operates a number of schools across the UK. In her letter announcing the news from St Clare's to parents in May Nicola Lambros, general manager of Cognita, UK said the school would do everything it could to help them find alternative places at a local school for their children should the decision be taken to close. St Clare's has entered into negotiations with staff affected. Ms Lambros said the decision was not a reflection of the school's academic success but of other factors. Article continues below Her letter added: "We recently carried out a full review of the school's sustainability in response to the rapidly-changing environment for independent schools. This included determining the demand for independent school places within the local catchment area both now and in the future. "Sadly the review has concluded that factors outside our control, including the falling local birth rate and economic volatility mean our pupil numbers are projected to be at an unsustainable level next academic year."
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Why two top Welsh private schools suddenly and unexpectedly plan to close after decades
Why two top Welsh private schools suddenly and unexpectedly plan to close after decades Oakleigh House has educated children for more than a century and St Clare's for more than 85 years, now both schools propose to shut in the face of uncertain economic times and falling birth rates A lesson at St Clare's School, Porthcawl, which faces closure in December (Image: St Clare's School ) There were warnings it would happened and it has. The news that two private fee paying schools in Wales face closure left staff and pupils in tears and parents shocked. But it was perhaps not such a shock. When the UK and Welsh governments both announced they would impose VAT on school fees coupled with the UK Government's decision to raise National Insurance contributions for all employers, those running independent schools warned it could only mean some would have to close. Now Cognita, owner of St Clare's School in Porthcawl and Oakleigh House in Swansea, proposes to close those schools at the end of December 2025 . For more than a century Oakleigh House has weathered recessions, war and uncertain times and St Clare's more than 85 years. Porthcawl Mayor Cllr Jeff Perren described the proposed loss of St Clare's School as "a blow to the town and community". He, along with others said it was a "sign of the financial climate." You can read more about independent schools and VAT here and here Cognita, which runs schools across the UK and internationally, said a review showed the two it runs in Wales, Oakleigh and St Clare's, were no longer viable in the current economic and demographic climate. It blamed uncertain financial times, falling local birth rates and a decline in numbers of pupils. "The blanket application of VAT fails to consider the unique role of small independent schools in Wales. These institutions are integral to our communities, and policies must reflect their distinct contributions," saaid Paul Norton, director of the Welsh Independent Schools Council and headteacher/owner of Kings Monkton School in Cardiff (Image: Kings Monkton School ) Article continues below For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Cognita said the decision was not a reflection of the academic succes of either school. It said St Clare's, which delivers strong GCSE and A level results, provides an "excellent educational environment". Oakleigh House says on its website that more than half of its pupils achieved above average in English and maths in assessments, conducted in British Curriculum Schools worldwide, last year. It is not just VAT and NI that have caused worrying economic times for private schools. Families are feeling the pinch and fewer may be able to afford to pay for their children's education. St Clare's says on its website that it charges fees of between £2,000 and £6,000 a term for children aged from nursery to sixth form. Oakleigh, the only independent prep (primary) school in Swansea, takes children from two and a half to 11 years. Fees there range from £3,736 a term for reception to £4,492 a term for children in year six, its website shows. Schools could choose not to pass on VAT imposed on fees to parents to make savings, but reduce income. But at the same same time unavoidable costs, such as energy bills and staff wages have risen. If they cut costs by reducing their curriculum or activities they risk becoming uncompetititve - so it is hard for independent schools to make savings when confronted with rising outgoings. Paul Norton, director of the Welsh Independent Schools Council, who owns and runs Kings Monkton School in Cardiff, said the aftermath of the pandemic has also fed into crisis. Day schools are also especially vulnerable as they rely on the local domestic market and cannot tap into the wider, and often more affluent UK and international market which boarding schools can. This is a local and national economic situation caused by government policies going back years as well as the pandemic. "Small independent schools in Wales did exceptionally well with providing continuous education through Covid," said Mr Norton, "This required significant investment in a time when pupil numbers dropped due to parents losing work, relocating or working from home. Coming out of Covid the cost of living crisis and annual rise in national living wage compounded these issues. "National Insurance, VAT and business rates have added further pressure. In Wales, compared to England, there is little choice for parents to make the best educational decisions for their children and the closure of small independent school that serve the local community and children eradicates this choice further. It is damaging to education in Wales and to children "Small independent schools of around 250-300 make up the majority of schools within the independent sector and cater for the needs of the local community of children who cannot successfully access mainstream state school, for whatever reasons. Generally, these schools do not take in international pupils or boarders as they specifically support the local area and children. "The Labour policy of VAT completely misunderstands this set up and targets such small schools set up with increased costs of VAT, coupled with the removal of charitable business rates relief, and National Insurance increases. The results are that children suffer, and the educational landscape of Wales becomes a one size fits all, and if you don't fit then your only choice is the unregulated home or online tuition market. This puts children at even more risk. "The blanket application of VAT fails to consider the unique role of small independent schools in Wales. These institutions are integral to our communities, and policies must reflect their distinct contributions." St Clare's School, with its extensive grounds, is in the middle of a housing area and would be attractive to developers, warns town mayor Cllr Jeff Perren Critics of the government's NI policy for fee paying schools have pointed out that this blanket approach is unfair and a threat to business as well as potentially adding strain to already hard pressed maintained state schools if pupils from the independent sector seek alternative places there. Mr Norton estimates that around 6,000 children and teenagers are educated in fee paying schools around Wales and some of those may well seek places in local authority schools, perhaps among them the 150 at St Clare's and those at Oakleigh - neither school would confirm their pupil numbers but parents estimated St Clare's to have around 150 compared to 250 before the pandemic. Cllr Perren said that in the absence of any other local independent school those leaving St Clare's may well head for Porthcawl's maintained schools. St Clare's announcement is very sudden. I know the children will have to find other schools," the town's mayor said, "that's it now for private schools in Porthcawl - St John's also went a few years ago." Pupils at St Clare's (Image: St Clare's School, Porthcawl ) The mayor was unsure whether the local maintained primary and secondary schools have spaces and acknowledged there are differing views on fee paying education. "I know private schools split communities and views but to be honest they are valuable as an option. It is not just about millionaires, that's a bit of a fallacy. "Schools like St Clare's provide wrap around care for working parents and can be not much more expensive than paying for after school care (for working parents with children in state education). It is a servcie and there are a lot of people in Porthcawl who travel out of the town for work." He is also worried what will become of the St Clare's site. Its grounds are in the middle of a housing are and would be attractive to developers. "The site is surrounded by housing and it is doubteful anyone else would take it over as a school," the mayor said, "In planning terms it is an in-fill site. It is sad for the town it really is. There are recreational areas there and it would be good if the site was used for something other than housing." Oakleigh House School, Swansea has announced plans to shut in December 2025 Meanwhile in Swansea another private school, previosuly run by Cognita and now run by trustees, has said it has capacity to take children from St Clare's and Oakleigh. Ffynone House School, which takes children from age 11 up, said it was even considering re-opening primary provision. A science lesson at Ffynone House School in Swansea Ffynone House trustee Pini Patel said: "We have the expertise and capacity to accommodate more students in years seven to 13 and will do everything we can to ease the transition of any pupils from St Clare's to Ffynone House. We are also currently putting the necessary plans in place to reinstate our primary school offering. "At Ffynone House we are fiercely proud of our independence. All of our trustees have personal links to the school ensuring stability and continuity for our Ffynone family. We remain committed to delivering an outstanding education in a nurturing environment – our future is bright." So one school's loss may be another school's gain in the changing economic landscape with falling birth rates and uncertain times ahead. Article continues below
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Second private school in Wales faces closure as pupil numbers fall
Second private school in Wales faces closure as pupil numbers fall Oakleigh House School in Swansea proposed to shut its doors after more than a century Oakleigh House School, Swansea A second private school in Wales has announced plans to shut. The news from Oakleigh House Primary in Swansea comes after St Clare's School in Porthcawl said it proposes to close at the end of December. Both schools are run by education company Cognita UK which blamed financial pressures. The news, which parents said came as a shock, follows warnings about the future of fee-paying schools after VAT was imposed on top of increased employer National Insurance contributions. Cognita said in a statement: "This week we shared some difficult news with our families and staff about the proposal to close Oakleigh House School. "We carried out a comprehensive review of the school's sustainability in light of local demographic trends and a changing economic environment, which sadly concluded that pupil numbers are expected to continue to fall to an unsustainable level in the next academic year. We will do everything we can to support our families and staff and help our current pupils find alternative school places should the decision be taken to close." It is understood the date for the proposed closure of Oakleigh House is also December this year. The school, in the Uplands area of Swansea, has operated for more than 100 years. It is the only independent prep school in the city and takes children from two and a half to 11 years. Fees range from £3,736 a term for reception to £4,492 a term for children in year six. Article continues below The school says on its website it commits to "opportunities for every child to reach their full academic and personal potential". More than half of pupils achieved above average in English and maths in assessments, conducted in British Curriculum Schools worldwide, last year. Cognita confirmed that Oakleigh and St Clare's are the only schools it runs in Wales. While it proposed to shut St Clare's in December this year it did not confirm a date for Oakleigh's closure. As the proposed closures were announced another private school in Swansea said that it stood ready to help parents looking for alternatives. Ffynone House School, which takes children from age 11 up, said it was even considering re-opening primary provision. The school, which was previously run by Cognita, was taken over by trustees around 10 years ago. Fynnone House School, Swansea Pini Patel, a parent and trustee, speaking as spokesperson for Fynnone House School, said: "We are shocked and saddened by this news [about Oakleigh House and St Clare's]. This is undoubtedly a difficult time for the pupils, parents, and staff affected by this announcement and our thoughts are very much with them. We aim to support them in any way that we can if these closures do go ahead. "We have the expertise and capacity to accommodate more students in years seven to 13 and will do everything we can to ease the transition of any pupils from St Clare's to Ffynone House. We are also currently putting the necessary plans in place to reinstate our primary school offering. "At Ffynone House we are fiercely proud of our independence. All of our trustees have personal links to the school ensuring stability and continuity for our Ffynone family. We remain committed to delivering an outstanding education in a nurturing environment – our future is bright. Our doors are always open and parents and students are welcome to visit us at any time – we are here to help.' The site was originally St Winefride's Convent School from 1887 to 1966 until it became Ffynone House School in 1975. At this point, up until 2008 when Cognita took over briefly, there was an integrated prep school for years three to six and this could be re-instated, said Mr Patel. Blaming government imposition of VAT on school fees and increased National Insurance payments Paul Norton, director of the Welsh Independent Schools Council, said there was a risk that any schools shutting would erode confidence in others. This added pressure to the private school sector across Wales. Mr Norton, who owns and runs Kings Monkton School in Cardiff, said his school is secure. But in his role at WISC he has warned that as many as 19 of Wales' 80 or so fee-paying schools are at risk of closure. He blames this on VAT imposed on fees since January, increased employer National Insurance payments, cost pressures, and increased wages. Article continues below "The blanket application of VAT fails to consider the unique role of small independent schools in Wales. These institutions are integral to our communities and policies must reflect their distinct contributions," Mr Norton said. "Small independent schools of around 250-300 make up the majority of schools within the independent sector and cater for the needs of the local community of children who cannot successfully access mainstream state school for whatever reasons. "
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Top Welsh independent school set to close down
Top Welsh independent school set to close down Fee-charging St Clare's School in Porthcawl announced the shock news that it has entered into negotiations to shut St Clare's School in Porthcawl A top independent school in Wales has announced proposals to close down blaming "economic volatility" and "factors beyond our control". The announcement from St Clare's School in Porthcawl left staff, pupils, and parents in "shock and tears" said one parent. It comes just months after the controversial imposition of VAT payments on private school fees as well as rises to employers' National Insurance contributions. St Clare's, a day school which has been running for more than 85 years, posts impressive exam results each summer. In a letter to parents the school management also blames the falling local birth rate. They said projected pupil numbers for next academic year make the school "unsustainable". Responding to the news the Welsh Independent Schools Council warned as many as 19 other private schools in Wales face closure. Parents said they received a letter out of the blue from St Clare's at 6pm on May 6 – just two hours after the head and staff were told of the plans to shut. Meetings were being held on Wednesday at the school, which says on its website that it charges fees of between £2,000 and £6,000 a term for children aged from nursery to sixth form. The non-selective school, which is understood to have around 150 pupils, is run by the education company Cognita UK, which operates a number of schools across the UK. Article continues below The Welsh Independent Schools Council has warned since last year that closures could follow if VAT was imposed and you can read more of our coverage about that here . In her letter announcing the news from St Clare's to parents Nicola Lambros, general manager of Cognita, UK said the school would do everything it could to help them find alternative places at a local school for their children should the decision be taken to close. St Clare's has entered into negotiations with staff affected. Ms Lambros said the decision was not a reflection of the school's academic success but of other factors. Her letter added: "We recently carried out a full review of the school's sustainability in response to the rapidly-changing environment for independent schools. This included determining the demand for independent school places within the local catchment area both now and in the future. "Sadly the review has concluded that factors outside our control, including the falling local birth rate and economic volatility mean our pupil numbers are projected to be at an unsustainable level next academic year. "I am therefore very sorry to inform you that, after careful consideration and extensive deliberation, we have begun a consultation with staff about our proposal to close the school at the end of the autumn term 2025 (December 2025). "This is clearly a difficult situation – none of this reflects the excellent educational environment [head teacher] Mrs Hier and her team have developed at St Clare's and we understand that this news will be upsetting for your family and the wider school community." Helen Hier, head teacher of St Clare's School, Porthcawl, was said to be in tears at the news Parent Gareth Davies, who has a son at St Clare's, said there was shock and anger at the news and in meetings at the school on Wednesday. Mr Davies said: "The head teacher Helen Hier was in tears. Staff were crying and the children are devastated. The school forms a significant part of the community here and the way the news was delivered was appalling. "We knew there'd be issues with the addition of VAT and employers' National Insurance going up. However the school could have consulted parents and made us aware. "We could have looked at other forms of fundraising to save the school or worked to find a solution for everyone. As you can imagine this has come as quite a shock." The Welsh Independent Schools Council squarely blamed new National Insurance and VAT payments. It said in a statement: "It is with deep regret that the Welsh Independent Schools Council (WISC) acknowledges the proposed closure of St Clare's School in Porthcawl at the end of the autumn term 2025. St Clare's has been a cornerstone of educational excellence in south Wales, nurturing generations of pupils through its dedicated staff and vibrant community. "This announcement is not an isolated event but reflects the mounting pressures facing independent schools across Wales. Recent policy changes have significantly impacted the sector: Introduction of 20% VAT on school fees: Effective January 2025, this measure is expected to increase the financial burden on families, potentially leading to decreased enrolment and financial viability challenges for schools. Withdrawal of charitable business rates relief: From April 2025 the removal of this relief will further strain school budgets, particularly affecting smaller institutions. Increase in employer National Insurance contributions: The rise from 13.8% to 15% adds to the operational costs for schools, impacting their ability to sustain staffing and resources. "WISC analysis indicates that up to 19 independent schools in Wales could face closure due to these compounded financial pressures, potentially displacing approximately 6,500 pupils and creating an £80m funding gap for the Welsh Government. "We urge policymakers to consider the broader implications of these changes on educational diversity and parental choice in Wales. WISC remains committed to supporting our member schools during this challenging period and advocating for a sustainable future for iindependent education in Wales. " A spokesperson for Cognita said: "We recently shared some difficult news with our community at St Clare's regarding the future of the school. "The impact of a number of factors outside of our control, including the falling birth rate and the decrease in demand for school places, means our pupil numbers are forecast to drop to an unsustainable level next year, which sadly means we have to propose closure. "Our priority is our families, students and staff, and we will continue to do everything we can to support them through this proposal process." The full letter to parents from Cognita Announcement to Parents re. St Clare's School Dear Parents, I am writing to share difficult news about the future of St Clare's School. We recently carried out a full review of the school's sustainability in response to the rapidly-changing environment for independent schools. This included determining the demand for independent school places within the local catchment area both now and in the future. Sadly the review has concluded that factors outside our control, including the falling local birth rate and economic volatility mean our pupil numbers are projected to be at an unsustainable level next academic year. I am therefore very sorry to inform you that, after careful consideration and extensive deliberation, we have begun a consultation with staff about our proposal to close the school at the end of the autumn term 2025 (December 2025). This is clearly a difficult situation – none of this reflects the excellent educational environment Mrs Hier and her team have developed at St Clare's and we understand that this news will be upsetting for your family and the wider school community. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to support you in finding alternative places at a local school for your children should the decision be taken to close. In the accompanying information we have further outlined details about the proposal including details of alternative providers and information about next steps. We will shortly be entering into a period of consultation with affected staff members regarding the proposal. During this period our focus will remain on the children and ensuring their education continues uninterrupted while supporting our colleagues at St Clare's. We would like to invite you to a parent meeting at the school on Wednesday, May 7, at 9am and/or 6.30pm in the Senior Hall to discuss the proposed closure and the options available for your children from January 2026. We hope you can attend the meeting(s) and look forward to seeing you. We will be inviting parents of children currently in Years 10 and 12 to an additional online meeting to provide details about support that we will be offering to minimise disruption to exam cycles should the decision be taken to close. Yours sincerely, Nicola Lambros General Manager Cognita, UK Article continues below
