31-07-2025
Derbyshire private schools close after decade-long cash struggle
Two independent Catholic schools in Derbyshire have closed after the trust that runs them went into administration. Mount St Mary's College in Spinkhill and its prep school, Balborough Hall School, announced the "immediate closure" on Wednesday. Shaun Whyman, chair of governors of the charitable trust, said on the schools' website they had faced "increasing financial pressures" since 2015."This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the shock and distress this news will undoubtedly bring to our entire school community," he added.
The schools were founded 183 years ago and became an independent charitable trust in 2004. Following years of financial strain, the schools were supported by the Jesuits in Britain charity, which provided more than £3m in loans to the trust, Mr Whyman said. He added that governors and senior leadership had been working to prevent the closure of the schools since early 2025, including looking for a new owner, but were unsuccessful.
Holiday club scrapped
"As of the end of July, the level of debt and lack of a realistic path to financial viability mean we have no alternative but to proceed into administration," Mr Whyman added. He said the decision to close was a "truly heartbreaking moment" for pupils, staff and families. All of the schools' ongoing activities, including a holiday club, have also been stopped with immediate effect. The schools' statement cited wider challenges affecting independent schools in the UK, including the VAT on school fees introduced in January and the removal of business rates relief for independent schools from April. The government introduced VAT on school fees to pay for more state school teachers in EnglandIt was estimated the policy would raise an extra £460m in the 2024-25 financial year, rising to £1.7bn by St Mary's College and Barlborough Hall School said further information would be shared with families and pupils in the coming days and weeks.
