Top school to shut down
£13,000 a year Kilgraston will close after 100 years due to drop in income
A LEADING Scottish boarding school is set to close after its income plummeted during the pandemic.
Kilgraston School, which is almost 100 years old, has said it will cease operations ‘permanently’ when the current school term ends on June 24.
All 217 pupils, parents and the Perthshire school’s 116 staff members have been informed, with discussions said to be ongoing ‘to ensure that alternative arrangements can be made for all affected’.
thomas Steuart Fothringham, chairman of the board of trustees, said: ‘this has been an extremely challenging and heartbreaking decision. However, having considered and pursued all other alternatives we are, for reasons of financial viability, left with no alternative.
‘the loss of income resulting from Covid-19 lockdowns, the effect of lengthy travel restrictions on the international boarding market, continuing decline in boarding demand generally, the resultant erosion of our cash reserves and, finally, a number of pupil departures during the course of this year mean that we can no longer continue to trade responsibly beyond the end of this term.
‘At this point, we have three priorities: the welfare of staff, the welfare of pupils and assistance for parents in finding places for their children at other schools. We will do all we can to help ensure a smooth transition for all affected.
‘We are very sorry not to be able to continue operating a school that is close to all our hearts.’
the school, which caters for girls aged five to 18 and boys aged five to 12 years, is set in 54 acres of parkland at Bridge of Earn, Perthshire. Last year, 70 per cent of its pupils achieved an ‘A’ grade at National 5 level.
Its motto is ‘Act with determination’ and alumni include Scottish hockey player Emily Dark, jockey Lucy Alexander and author Linda Strachan.
Originally named Gilgryston, the property was a private house until the First World War when it was used as a hospital for wounded officers.
In 1930, the house and grounds were purchased by the Society of the Sacred Heart and opened as a school with 40 boarders.
the society is a religious order, founded by St Madeleine Sophie Barat in 1800 to provide education for girls.
the society operated Kilgraston until 2000, when the school became an independent Catholic charitable trust.
As the school belongs to the Sacred Heart Network, it has links with others worldwide in more than 40 countries.
Boarding fees at Kilgraston are £12,970 per term for the senior school and £9,910 per term for the junior school. Day fees, per term, are £7,595 for the senior school, £5,940 for the junior school and £4,470 for pupils in reception.
International fees, per term, are £14,015 for the senior school and £11,400 for the junior school.