Following a Board meeting on Friday 3 January, it has sadly been announced that Loughborough Amherst School is entering a consultation period for a proposed closure of the School at the end of the academic year. The closure is subject to staff consultation, which is expected to be completed by the end of the Spring Term.
Our Lady’s Convent School was welcomed into the Foundation in 2015, securing the School’s immediate future in the face of existing financial difficulties, before being renamed as Loughborough Amherst School in 2018. Over its 10 years in the Foundation, Amherst has firmly established itself as a school rich in its warmth and sense of community, with an outstanding reputation for the care and inclusivity it provides to each and every pupil. Unfortunately, despite significant financial support from the Foundation and sustained efforts to grow pupil numbers, the school has been unable to sustain a surplus throughout this period.
Chair of the Board of Governors, Roger Harrison (LGS 1992), said, “We face a situation now in which operating costs continue to rise, further exacerbated by the recent Autumn Budget announcements. The introduction of VAT on school fees and the removal of a sizeable exemption from business rates were confirmed, along with an increase in National Minimum Wage at a level above inflation and changes to employers’ national insurance. The proposed closure is a position that no-one on the Board wanted to reach.”
This has been an extremely difficult decision for the Foundation, with alternative options having been thoroughly explored and detailed financial modelling undertaken. Whilst the proposed closure is hugely regrettable, the economic reality makes this a necessity to secure a stable and sustainable future for pupils across our family of Foundation schools, particularly given the significant change of external circumstances in which we are now operating.
Speaking about next steps, Mr Harrison said: “Our priority now is to minimise the impact on the education and wellbeing of all our pupils, and we will work closely with every family to achieve the best solution for every pupil. Additionally, we shall be providing ongoing support to all members of staff whose jobs may be affected by the proposed closure and will help them transition through this particularly difficult period.”
Since the announcement affected parents and pupils have been invited to two meetings to hear from executive leadership and share their concerns and feedback.
In a more recent letter sent to Amherst parents last week, Mr Harrison said, “Now, having moved to a period of consultation, there is the opportunity to engage with all stakeholders and more openly explore potential alternatives to the proposed closure. To this end, we will confidentially engage with any serious and credible parties interested in exploring options for acquisition or similar opportunities.”
Mr Harrison also reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to working with parents to find the best possible solutions for families, whatever the outcome of the consultation.
Meanwhile, Miss Grace Davies has been appointed as Interim Head of Loughborough Amherst School. Miss Davies assumed her new responsibilities on Monday 20 January, and will serve as Interim Head until the end of August 2025, with the leadership of the School beyond this point being dependent on the outcome of the ongoing consultation.
Passionate about inclusive education, Miss Davies joined Loughborough Amherst School as Senior Deputy Headteacher in September 2017, after previously holding the position of Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion at Esher Church of England High School in Surrey.
Alongside her deep knowledge of Amherst School and its history as a kind and nurturing environment for all children, Miss Davies brings broad academic experience to the role as a French Studies graduate of Reading University who has also completed a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership and Management.
Miss Davies will be supported by the current Senior Leadership Team, and her teaching responsibilities will be appropriately covered to ensure maximum continuity for pupils. Her top priority will be to ensure that Amherst continues to uphold its valued pupil experience and high academic standards through the rest of this academic year.
