has announced it is to close at the end of term, with governors saying it had been 鈥渦nable to withstand mounting financial pressures鈥 on independent schools.
The 200-pupil non-selective day and boarding school, founded in 1901, said that despite efforts to save it, enrolments for September 2025 were 鈥渂elow the viable level required to keep the school open beyond the current academic year鈥.
鈥淲hile we experienced strong student enquiry levels during the autumn, these declined sharply in early 2025 following the implementation of VAT鈥, said.
The statement explained how the school had worked hard to 鈥渞espond to the challenges鈥 posed by VAT on fees and other financial pressures over the past 18 months. Day fees for 2025-26 are listed as 拢24,600 in the senior school.
In September 2024, they brought in 鈥漞nergetic new leadership鈥 in the form of Nicola Dudley, previously head of Surval Montreux School for Girls in Switzerland, but this, and increased marketing efforts, the statement said, were not enough to save the school.
The 11 to 18 school has been at its current site in Escrick Park, six miles south of York, since 1949. Set in almost 75 acres of parkland, the school building dates from 1758.
In 2024, the school won “” at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards.
Around a quarter of students receive SEN support, although none have EHCPs, according to The Good Schools Guide.
The school, known affectionately as “QM”, is the 26th UK independent school to announce closure plans since January 2025 when VAT on fees came into effect. The announcement follows that of Bishop Challoner School in Bromley, South London, earlier this week, which will also close at the end of term.
The statement, signed by chair of the board of governors Terry Burt, added:
鈥淭his is a heart-wrenching decision that no governing body wants to take, and we fully recognise that the closure of Queen Margaret鈥檚 will be deeply distressing for the whole QM community.
鈥淥ur priority is the wellbeing of our pupils, their families and all of our incredible teaching staff, and we are committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible for everyone. We will work closely with every family to achieve the best possible solution for every pupil and will provide ongoing support to all members of staff.鈥
Education and exams would continue 鈥渁s normal鈥 until the end of term, with sports day and other activities going ahead.
It continued: 鈥淲hile this will inevitably be an emotional time, particularly for our girls and staff, we also recognise the importance of marking the end of their time at QM in a positive and meaningful way that will support their transition to the next stage of their journeys.鈥
It continued: 鈥淨ueen Margaret鈥檚 is a truly special school, and we would like to thank everyone who has played a part in making it the place that it is鈥ut most of all, we thank the generations of amazing girls who have shaped QM into the vibrant community it is today.鈥
