A Peak District private school which was set to close forever at the end of the summer term will now remain open after a determined fundraising campaign led by parents including a prominent community businesswoman.
The governors of the 137-year-old S. Anselm’s in Bakewell announced the closure in March, saying that financial losses – including the burden of new government tax policies – meant the institution was no longer sustainable.
But in a surprising turn of events on Tuesday, May 20, school leaders revealed that they had instead attracted significant fundraising and begun a restructuring programme to ensure it remains open.
The full details are yet to become clear, but those responsible say a deal has been agreed to regain ownership of the school, following its 2023 merger with Sheffield counterpart Birkdale School.
Parent and businessman Matthew Brailsford, part of the parent team involved, said: “We are all only too aware of the current turbulence within the private education sector and the strong economic headwinds that include VAT, NI and business rate increases.