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Original poster

Leweston school abrupt closure

53 replies

kashcai · Yesterday 18:23

Really sad to see this - another very good school that was just about affordable to lots of local families gone by the wayside. Seems to have come as a blindsiding shock to parents who found out today. Really sad for all the kids who won’t be returning to their classmates and community after half term. Clayesmore is miles away and Leweston was mostly a day school I believe. Our child was so keen to be heading there next year. Hope all affected manage to find places in time for Monday at their preferred back up options. Thinking of all the staff too.
https://www.leweston.co.uk/

Leweston School

The world your child is moving into cannot be predicted. At Leweston, we build the person who can meet it — curious, resilient, and entirely themselves. Co-educational, Catholic, boarding and day. Prep, Senior and Sixth Form, Sherborne, Dorset.

https://www.leweston.co.uk/

OP posts:
ThatZingyMintCat · Today 11:39

cl1996 · Today 11:36

@Sandpapertongue

Those figures aren’t 100% accurate and are slightly outdated. I know it’s not a huge difference but there are currently 425 pupils enrolled in the Senior school at King’s currently, not 389. 425 in a 490 capacity doesn’t seem that bad… This does not include the prep.

Isn’t Canford selective? So anyone looking with a child not so academic/sporty probably wouldn’t consider.

Edited

Pupil roll numbers that are publicly available will always have a lag in them. Looking at the Independent Schools Council in January is usually a good time as schools have to submit an update before then.

Taking data from the Charity Commission as per the website above will always have a 12 month lag due to the accounts being for the previous year.

Cyclingforcake · Today 12:04

cl1996 · Today 11:24

I don’t know loads about KB themselves, but I do know that many Hazelgrove (their prep school) pupils do not continue on to KB, and instead go to other senior schools. Maybe that says something? I don’t really know.

Show quote history

They always have. Hazlegrove was always stronger academically than Bruton.

DobbyTheHouseElk · Today 12:11

Nervousb2b · Yesterday 22:21

Such sad news. Aother community lost, with no sign of the VAT going into state schools as promised.

I've heard that King's is far from financially stable - their books online do reflect that, too.

Queen's College, Taunton is supposedly more stable and also a cheaper option.

Taunton School again stable but more expensive. I suppose it's what the pupils and parents requirements are but I'd definitely check the books before jumping ship (admittedly hard when you've only got 3 days to do it!).

Edited

Queens have been selling off playing fields, to keep afloat. The school appears quite shabby IMO when I’ve been to watch matches.

Kings is part of Woodard and I would be surprised if they crumbled. They have sold land off to stay viable.

Taunton is financially stable, they have a separate income from other enterprises. They squeeze every last drop from parents so will definitely survive. Enormous cut backs have been seen in the past year or so.

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