Downturn continues to hit private education

Since numbers have fallen from 180 to 134, Cliff School’s long term future was described as unsustainable. It is one of 21 small independent schools that have been closed or merged since January last year.

Chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, David Lyscomb, argues that the majority of independent schools are weathering the downturn, but recognises that some schools may be seeing a downturn in numbers:

“We would expect there to be some pressure caused by the recession but it’s not severe.”

Regardless of forecasted reports of private schools closing every week having not materialised, the Alpha Plus Group stated that the economic downturn had undermined efforts to increase pupil numbers:

“Despite the outstanding efforts of the head and his staff and the significant investment that has been made in school, its [Cliff School] continuing operation is not sustainable educationally, socially and financially.

“We are actively supporting our parents and working with schools in the area to find suitable alternative school places for the children.”