Two private schools in south London to close

Two private schools in south London are to close after 75 years, blaming declining pupil numbers and Labour's introduction of VAT on school fees.

Inspired Learning Group (ILG), which runs Park Hill Preparatory School and Nursery, in Kingston, and Bishop Challoner School in Bromley, will close at the end of the academic year.

Three High Court judges dismissed a legal challenge over the government's policy.

Lawyers for the families and private schools argued it was discriminatory. Barristers for the Chancellor, His Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Department for Education said it was to raise standards for state school children by making private school parents pay "their fair share".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the board of trustees at Bishop Challoner confirmed on Thursday the Catholic independent school for children aged three to 18 would close on 4 July.

The school, which opened in 1950, stated it had been "an incredibly difficult decision" to close but it had to be made due to the "increasingly challenging environment for schools".

Amanda, whose 18-year-old son Barney is in Year 13 at Bishop Challoner, told BBC London the news was "heartbreaking" and came as a "complete shock".

"I feel very much aware of this huge community of people who are being affected: of staff, staff, students and parents," she said.

She added not all independent schools were "full of wealthy families", and this was a "small, caring school".

Barney is neurodiverse and Amanda said: "We chose the school because of its small, community-feel, very calm environment. It's given Barney a social environment that feels safe.

"I feel very lucky that my son is going to university in September but I can't imagine how parents are feeling with their children in the middle of their GCSEs or A-levels."

The school's Chair of Trustees Patricia Colling said: "This is a very difficult time for our parents, pupils and staff.

"We are saddened that, despite our best efforts, the school has to close."

LDRS said ILG was offering parents of pupils at Park Hill the option to move to its sister school Westbury House School, in New Malden, from September, which is a 12-minute drive away.

Park Hill will be converted into a dedicated full-time nursery, offering 51 weeks of provision for children aged between three months and four years old.

ILG said closing the preparatory school, which opened in 1949, and moving its pupils to Westbury House would protect both education settings for the future.

Sarah Nunn, Park Hill's head teacher, said in a message on the school's website the move would provide pupils with greater opportunities for social development, a wider friendship network and an expanded extracurricular programme – including sport, music and drama.

An ILG spokesperson said: "The benefit of being in a private group is that we can protect both settings, and ensure the continuity and quality of education for our children, who will always remain our top priority."

Additional reporting by Olivia Demetriades, BBC London

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