Brabyns Preparatory School has begun a ‘formal consultation’ with parents, staff and other stakeholders
A private prep school and nursery in Stockport has announced it will be closing part of its establishment as a consultation period has begun. The announcement came shortly after independent school Prestwich Preparatory School revealed that it will close by the end of term.
In a message shared on its website, Brabyns Preparatory School and Nursery announced that a ‘formal consultation’ began with parents, staff and other stakeholders on Friday, March 6.
The school revealed in its message that the nursery part of the establishment will not be affected by the potential closure.
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“Brabyns Preparatory School has today begun a formal consultation with parents, staff and other stakeholders on a proposal to close the Preparatory School at the end of the Summer Term,” the message reads on Brabyns’ website.
The message continued: “This proposal follows a prolonged period of careful review by the School and its Governors in response to a number of challenges facing the independent school sector in recent years. No final decision has been taken and the consultation process will allow the school community to share views before the Governors determine the next steps.
“The Governors recognise that this news will be very difficult for pupils, families and staff. Brabyns Preparatory School has been an important part of the local community for many years, and the immediate priority is to support pupils and colleagues with care and sensitivity during the consultation period.
“The Nursery, which continues to attract strong interest from families, is not affected by the proposal and is expected to remain open as an important part of the Brabyns community.
“Throughout the remainder of the academic year the school will remain focused on providing stability and continuity for its pupils while supporting families and staff through the consultation process.”
The £8,000-a-year Prestwich Preparatory School, on Old Bury Road, will close on March 27 due to the headteacher’s ill health and other ‘external influences’.
Headteacher Patricia Shiels wrote to parents this week, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Prestwich Preparatory School for medical reasons at the end of this term.
“I deeply regret having to make this decision, but my health has deteriorated and this has been exasperated by external influences, such as bureaucratic demands.
Like all other private schools, it has been a struggle with increased costs such as VAT. I have sought professional advice and at this time the only option is to cease trading.”
The school, which opened in 2004, has been beset by difficulties since it was downgraded to ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in 2017. Since then it has struggled to maintain a good rating, and was told it ‘required improvement’ after an inspection last year.