Outdoor learning company closes seven UK activity centres

Seven residential activity centres for schools have closed after the company that ran them went in administration.

The Inspiring Learning Group said the centres – operated by its subsidiary Kingswood – would close immediately, adding it was “devastated”.

Three Kingswood centres have been acquired by outdoor education firm PGL Beyond (PGL) and will stay open. They are Overstrand Hall in Cromer, Norfolk, Dearne Valley in Doncaster and Grosvenor Hall in Ashford, Kent.

PGL said: “This will ensure that the the planned residentials for over 50,000 young people in 2025 will go ahead.”

The Kingswood centres closing immediately are:

• West Runton, Norfolk
• Green Park, Buckinghamshire
• Dukeswood House, Northumberland
• Peak Venture, South Yorkshire
• Staffordshire, near Wolverhampton
• Ryde, Isle of Wight
• Colomendy, north Wales

In a statement, Kingswood said: “We are very sorry to let you know that we have gone into administration.

“Unfortunately, seven of our centres will now close, and any planned trips to these will not be fulfilled by Kingswood.”

It added: “We appreciate that this news will be difficult to absorb…”

Kingswood said PGL had agreed a deal with administrators “to provide a package of support to groups where centres are closing, by offering alternative arrangements at PGL centres, with no financial impact to parents”.

PGL said its acquisition of the three centres had secured 150 jobs.

Its chief executive, Anthony Jones, said: “We know how important a milestone in a young person’s journey a school residential provides, and are mindful of the potential impact should they miss out on this life-changing experience.”