Parents and children devastated as Alderley Edge School for Girls closes with immediate effect as bosses claim it's 'unsafe'
Parents and pupils at Alderley Edge School for Girls have been left devastated after the private Cheshire school closed down for good weeks earlier than initially announced. Governors sent an email to all parents on Friday June 26 blaming parent protests for the immediate closure, claiming the school had become unsafe for staff and pupils.
The fee-paying school had previously outlined plans to close at the end of the academic year on July 7 due to financial pressures. But the sudden announcement on Friday, after the school had already shut for the day, meant schoolgirls had no chance to say their final goodbyes to teachers and friends, leaving families in disbelief.
In their letter, governors stated: "We recognise the strength of feeling within the parent community and the distress caused by the proposed closure of the school. Peaceful and respectful expression of concern is entirely understood however since yesterday there have been incidents involving a small number of parents on or near the school site on social media and direct communications to staff which have caused serious concern for the welfare of pupils and staff."
The governors added: "With great sadness we must therefore inform you that the school site will be closed to pupils and parents from 17:45 today and will not reopen," and stated: "Unfortunately we no longer feel we can guarantee the safety of staff pupils and parents on site which has made this decision necessary."
The school originally cited the government's introduction of VAT on private school fees, falling numbers, and a slowing birth rate as reasons for closure. However, a Parent Rescue Group led by eight parents, including banker and restructuring professionals, had proposed securing £4 million of funding to save the school. Their proposals were rejected as non-viable by governors.
Parents are now demanding answers about fee refunds and deposits, with the school serving 400 girls aged 2 to 18 at fees of £19,641 annually.