St. Peter’s Independent School will close for good at the end of the academic year in the wake of Covid-19.
The site of the Northampton school, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, is now on the market for £1.5m.
“The coronavirus pandemic has had an adverse effect on the business model of the school,” said the chair of trustees, Michael Dawe. “In view of the length of time that the local economy is likely to recover, it is best that the school closes now and does not linger on.”
Specialist property adviser, Christie & Co, has been appointed as the sole selling agent for the independent school.
“We wholly empathise with the stress and pressure that the situation surrounding the pandemic has placed on so many schools, their proprietors, teachers, students and parents,” said Courteney Donaldson, managing director of childcare and education at Christie & Co.
The pandemic is increasingly having a profound impact on the financial sustainability of many independent schools across the UK; these are incredibly difficult times for many – Courteney Donaldson, Christie & Co
“The decision to close a school is never taken lightly. The pandemic is increasingly having a profound impact on the financial sustainability of many independent schools across the UK; these are incredibly difficult times for many.”
Headteacher Julie Fenlon said: “It is with great sadness that we have had to announce the closure of St. Peter’s Independent School in Northampton, having served the community for 40 years. It has been an absolute privilege to have been headteacher of the school I attended, my father taught at and I subsequently chose for my daughter’s education.”
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