Private school to close with ‘huge losses’
APRIVATE school charging fees of about £9,000 per year has warned it will close down amid “huge financial losses”.
Parents of pupils at Heathland Private School and Nursery in Accrington have been told that efforts to find more students had fallen flat despite increased efforts.
One class had two pupils and another had three.
The school lost “hundreds of thousands of pounds” over a 15-month period during the pandemic, principal Janet Harrison told parents in a letter.
The school, which runs from Early Years to GCSE level, will close its doors for good on February 28.
Children are being invited to move to Moorland School in Clitheroe, where some ‘key staff’ may also be invited to move.
In her letter, Mrs Harrison said any school fees paid to Heathland will not be charged again by Moorland – but those wishing to send their children to another school would have to pursue a claim through the insolvency process.
According to its website, the school charges fees of between £2,370 and £3,291 per term, with additional costs for lunches and for borrowing books.
In her letter, Mrs Harrison wrote: “We have been working through this challenging two years of coronavirus, with a great strain on our financial position.
“The school has lost hundreds of thousands of pounds during the period Sept 2020 to December 2021.
“These losses were a result of falling numbers in the school, one class had two students, another three.
“We have tried very hard to support this excellent school, that has produced fantastic GCSE results every year, we had a new website, and increased spending on advertising throughout 2020, and 2021, in an attempt to increase numbers, and avoid closure.
“Our staff have been exemplary in their commitment to the pupils within our school and nursery.
“Unfortunately, we cannot continue with these huge financial losses.
“We know that we are not alone, and all are all facing challenging times.”
She added: “Heathland School was opened in September 1994, and we can all be very proud of the excellent, well-mannered students that have passed through this school.
“We wish to thank all parents for their support.
“Finally, as I am sure you will appreciate, this has been a very sad and difficult letter for us to write. We wish all our children every success in the future.”
One parent of a nursery pupil said many now face a race to find a suitable alternative school or nursery.
The mum, who asked to remain anonymous, praised the “excellent” staff who worked at Heathland but said she was appalled by the lack of notice.
She said: “It’s caused more stress and anxiety for us as parents. It’s now almost like dog eat dog when you’re up against other parents to find spaces and I don’t want it to be like that. It’s the impact on the children as well. Some of them have been there since day dot. They’ve made some nice friends, they come home and tell stories about them and go to each other’s parties.
“And it’s so sad for the staff. Some of them have been there 10 years, some have started their career there and not worked anywhere else and now they’re leaving. I’m sure they’ll find other work because they’re brilliant but it’s not fair.”
Tracy Livesey, who has two grandchildren at the school and nursery, said: “We have been offered places at Moorlands in Clitheroe which is ok, but the one who attends the nursery needs a nursery placement in Accrington.
“All the parents are going to struggle getting a nursery placement anywhere.”
She added that her sympathies were with the “lovely” owners and the staff.
A school spokesperson said: “The Proprietors of Heathland Private School have sadly had to make the decision to close the school with immediate effect. This is not a decision that the owners have made lightly.
“Unfortunately, the school has been severely impacted by the financial strain caused by the pandemic and despite significant efforts to improve the financial position, the owners can no longer withstand the financial losses and have been forced to close its doors.
“All staff, parents and children have been notified with help and support being offered for everyone affected.”