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Original poster

Shrewsbury High to close?

32 replies

Cuckoo10 · 26/07/2025 15:55

Pupil Numbers are down and they seem to have lost quite a few good members of staff recently. They’ve had to merge some of the classes apparently and the head has been sending out emails asking parents to complain more politely!!!! I’d be more worried that I was getting complaints rather than how they are phrased. Does anyone on the inside know? Although they usually tell the parents last?

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Em1972 · 28/04/2026 23:42

Cuckoo10 · 28/04/2026 21:57

That doesn’t sound good at all

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No, it doesn't! Worrying for sure.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 28/04/2026 21:57

Em1972 · 28/04/2026 21:12

Found this:

"It is used to alert creditors and the public to allow objections, typically issued if a company is not trading, has failed to file documents, or has requested voluntary dissolution"

And

Consequences: The company ceases to exist; bank accounts are frozen, and all remaining assets become the property of the Crown.

So if you were going to asset strip, I guess you would do everything possible to avoid this.

That doesn’t sound good at all

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Em1972 · 28/04/2026 21:12

Found this:

"It is used to alert creditors and the public to allow objections, typically issued if a company is not trading, has failed to file documents, or has requested voluntary dissolution"

And

Consequences: The company ceases to exist; bank accounts are frozen, and all remaining assets become the property of the Crown.

So if you were going to asset strip, I guess you would do everything possible to avoid this.

Em1972 · 28/04/2026 21:07

Cuckoo10 · 28/04/2026 20:46

What’s a strike off notice? Sorry for being ignorant

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It's when a company is going to be dissolved I think, which really doesn't bode well. Hopefully this isn't the case here.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 28/04/2026 20:46

MinardiGP · 28/04/2026 08:55

A quick look at Companies House shows that the new parent company of SHS, Inspired Learning Group, is very late in filing their accounts, they should have been filed last August (2025). There is also a strike off notice, since discontinued. There can sometimes be explanations for that which don't indicate financial issues, but if sending a pupil to SHS I would be asking the bursar for further detail.

What’s a strike off notice? Sorry for being ignorant

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Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 28/04/2026 20:43

Em1972 · 28/04/2026 12:14

The government guarantees money for nurseries. A much better investment financially than schools.

How much did the ILG actually pay for the school?

Are the buildings protected, or will we see the same asset stripping that has caused Malvern St James to close a year after they were 'taken over'???

It would be just awful to see the grounds sold off and the main school turned into flats.

Do you think this was the plan from the start, what a shame for the children

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Em1972 · 28/04/2026 12:14

The government guarantees money for nurseries. A much better investment financially than schools.

How much did the ILG actually pay for the school?

Are the buildings protected, or will we see the same asset stripping that has caused Malvern St James to close a year after they were 'taken over'???

It would be just awful to see the grounds sold off and the main school turned into flats.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 28/04/2026 11:16

MinardiGP · 28/04/2026 08:55

A quick look at Companies House shows that the new parent company of SHS, Inspired Learning Group, is very late in filing their accounts, they should have been filed last August (2025). There is also a strike off notice, since discontinued. There can sometimes be explanations for that which don't indicate financial issues, but if sending a pupil to SHS I would be asking the bursar for further detail.

My worry for current parents is that they are often the last to know if a school is closing giving them very little time to find alternatives

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MinardiGP · 28/04/2026 08:55

A quick look at Companies House shows that the new parent company of SHS, Inspired Learning Group, is very late in filing their accounts, they should have been filed last August (2025). There is also a strike off notice, since discontinued. There can sometimes be explanations for that which don't indicate financial issues, but if sending a pupil to SHS I would be asking the bursar for further detail.

Vickiz · 13/02/2026 21:28

Cuckoo10 · 13/02/2026 19:00

@BatchCookBabe why are they going co-ed is it low pupil numbers? Or trying to create a different atmosphere at the school ? Seems strange to get rid of their USP - lots of other co ed schools around with better results

Very good question. As one of the only all girls schools in the area, this was clearly why many parents chose SHS for their daughters. By going co-ed, they are now competing directly with other schools in the area who have had much better results-and not just private schools. Many of the other private schools also have more space and facilities. I really hope the marketing is going well and there are the numbers coming in that they hope for. Just a shame for those wanting an all girls school locally.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 13/02/2026 19:00

@BatchCookBabe why are they going co-ed is it low pupil numbers? Or trying to create a different atmosphere at the school ? Seems strange to get rid of their USP - lots of other co ed schools around with better results

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BatchCookBabe · 12/02/2026 22:58

I'm pretty sure it's NOT closing!

A qucik Google search brough up this.

Shrewsbury High School is

not closing.

Instead, it is transitioning from the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) to the Inspired Learning Group (ILG), with plans to become fully co-educational in the future. The school is remaining open, with staff transferring to the new ownership to ensure uninterrupted education.
Key details regarding the school's future:

  • New Ownership: In November 2025, it was announced that ILG would take over the school to secure its long-term future amid changing market conditions.
  • Shift to Co-ed: The school is moving toward a co-educational model, with plans to welcome boys across all junior school years starting in September 2026.
  • Operational Status: The school remains in operation at its town-centre site.
  • Staff Continuity: The Head, Darren Payne, and all teaching and support staff are transferring to the new owner.
The school is actively accepting new students and holding taster days for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Vickiz · 12/02/2026 22:55

Cuckoo10 · 12/02/2026 20:20

Looks like a school that will probably be turned into a nursery think we will look elsewhere. What were the teacher issues?

There were a few recent reviews talking about a teacher swearing at children. Assume that's why they took all the reviews down, although taking every review down seems a bit ott.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 12/02/2026 20:20

Looks like a school that will probably be turned into a nursery think we will look elsewhere. What were the teacher issues?

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Vickiz · 12/02/2026 18:42

cantkeepawayforever · 04/11/2025 17:45

Noting that they are leaving the GDST and transferring to new owners at the end of the year, with a couple of month’s notice.

You were right. Sold to the Inspired Learning Group, who seem to specialise in nurseries at first glance.
Really hope it stays as a school. It's an iconic landmark and part of the Town's history. I did see that they pulled the 'Reviews' on FB after a few bad ones about a teacher there though. The ILG will hopefully sort any problems the school seem to have had recently.

cantkeepawayforever · 05/11/2025 17:07

HarbourClankCat · 04/11/2025 21:50

I find it mostly odd the school is raised on mumsnet again. I have no skin in the game. Live in a different county.

Is there actual drama or a bit of a vendetta going on here? I’m more inclined to the latter.

Edit to add: Have just realised this is a rehashed thread

Edited

Apologies for resurrecting the thread - I have no vendetta against the school, more interested in news about an institution I had seen mentioned a couple of times on MN recently, in an ‘oh, this is what happened next’ way.

SleepyHollowed84 · 04/11/2025 22:04

Looks like the GDST are selling them off. Wonder who will be next.

Attictroll · 04/11/2025 21:53

Check accounts for past few years. A private school closed near us everyone was up in arms about tax then parents dug into finances they had been make a loss for nearly 5 years

HarbourClankCat · 04/11/2025 21:50

I find it mostly odd the school is raised on mumsnet again. I have no skin in the game. Live in a different county.

Is there actual drama or a bit of a vendetta going on here? I’m more inclined to the latter.

Edit to add: Have just realised this is a rehashed thread

cantkeepawayforever · 04/11/2025 21:45

Apologies for misplaced apostrophe: a couple of months’ notice.

Em1972 · 04/11/2025 21:20

Mmmmm.

cantkeepawayforever · 04/11/2025 17:45

Noting that they are leaving the GDST and transferring to new owners at the end of the year, with a couple of month’s notice.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 05/08/2025 21:21

Em1972 · 30/07/2025 22:12

Sometimes the schools with money can cover things up more easily.

That’s a very valid point

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Em1972 · 30/07/2025 22:12

Sometimes the schools with money can cover things up more easily.

Original poster
Cuckoo10 · 29/07/2025 16:03

Em1972 · 26/07/2025 21:19

One for another day. Or 2, or 3 !

I’m intrigued! You’d hope you’d avoid issues by going private - it costs enough

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