A decline in pupil numbers and an uncertain economic climate has led to a West Sussex independent school to announce its closure, the Worthing Herald has reported.
The Towers Convent School released a statement that said “unsustainable pressures” had been placed on the school, with all efforts to save the school being unsuccessful, including negotiations for mergers.
The Roman Catholic school is situated in a French chateau in the village of Upper Beeding and has 174 pupils – mostly girls.
The statement read: “The Towers was founded in 1903 by The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and has provided pastoral care and educational excellence ever since.
“Over recent years, The Towers has seen a gradual decline in pupil numbers, which together with an uncertain economic climate, has placed unsustainable pressures on the school’s ability to survive. Despite an exhaustive number of initiatives to help save the school, including negotiations for mergers, all efforts have been unsuccessful.
Over recent years, The Towers has seen a gradual decline in pupil numbers, which together with an uncertain economic climate, has placed unsustainable pressures on the school’s ability to survive
“Following the announcement of a consultation period with staff over the proposal that the school may close, parents and staff have rallied in support of The Towers to try to find a solution to save the school.
“Having carefully considered the proposals put forward and having reviewed the financial risks involved to the charitable trust, the Trustees of The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament advised staff that, with regret, they consider that the possibility of reaching agreement which would avoid closure of The Towers has been exhausted and, as a result the consultation period has now come to an end.”
The Towers will close at the end of the summer term (July 2020).
The school was involved in community partnerships such as sharing its swimming pool with a local primary school weekly, and hosting workshops for local primary schools.
