Bishop Challoner School in Bromley, London, has announced it is to close permanently at the end of term, blaming falling pupil numbers, VAT on fees and rising costs.
It will be the 25th independent school to announce closure plans so far this year, according to 樱花动漫 records. It comes following the announcement earlier this week that would close.
The 3 to 18 Catholic school, which has 270 pupils, that the decision to close Bishop Challoner had been 鈥渋ncredibly difficult鈥, but that it would close on July 4.
The statement said: 鈥淒espite the dedicated efforts of the school鈥檚 leadership and staff, Bishop Challoner School has been impacted by the broader increasingly challenging environment for schools.
鈥淲ith falling birth rates, rising living costs and more recently the impact of VAT on school fees the school has seen a significant decline in pupil numbers.聽Meanwhile, its operating costs have risen significantly over recent years and further impacted by the recent removal of rates relief and the statutory increase in employer鈥檚 National Insurance.聽Together, these factors have placed significant strain on the school鈥檚 financial sustainability.鈥
It added that there had been an 鈥渆xtensive search鈥 for new investment and income streams along with potential partners for merger.
鈥淭his, unfortunately, did not produce a viable outcome and, having sought advice from both legal and insolvency practitioners, the conclusion is therefore there is no viable alternative but to close,鈥 it said.
A letter sent to parents this week explained that pupil numbers had fallen from 317 in the 2023-24 school year聽to 270 this academic year. Projected pupil numbers for 2025-26 were only 218, despite marketing efforts, it said.
, Bishop Challoner has four special needs students with Education Health and Care Plans and a further 85 students registered as having special needs.
The school, which was founded in 1956, will close on July 4 2025, the school said, with all students able to complete their exams.
This would also enable parents to find alternative schools before the start of the academic year.
“Closing in the summer also gives our dedicated and hardworking staff more time to seek employment elsewhere”, it added.
