Alton School

[Daisydukes8]

Can anyone share their child's experience of Alton School? With some other private big hitters in the area, Alton School doesn't receive much attention. We're looking for a nurturing environment, supportive learning with excellent co-curricular opportunities...

I believe from a friend, that they're good at the soft skills, and not so much at the curriculum. I just googled them and were surprised that they're a catholic school, I only know three students who've gone there and none of them are catholic, so it doesn't appear to be compulsory. That's second hand though.

Didn't is used to be Alton Convent school? At least a million years ago when I was at school in nearby Winchester.

Yes, that's it.

It's non denominational, a Catholic school in name only. The students you know who went there... is this recent? Did they enjoy their time there?

I’ve just been told it’s closing at the end of this term - is this true?!

Alton School advised parents today that they were closing at the end of this academic year.

I just saw this. Hope all the students affected find new schools and have a smooth transition in September.

This is so sad, I am truly shocked and sad for the pupils affected, especially those in years 10 and 12.

This will be the first of many. Well done Labour, you absolute politics of envy shits.

Or maybe they just couldn’t attract enough students because they weren’t that good a school and people instead chose the excellent local state schools.
All the state schools in Alton and Winchester are excellent and have spaces.

The Telegraph website app has got the closure as the lead story at the moment linked to VAT on fees.

Their accounts suggest a steady decline over the past few years - fee revenue was down 20% since 2019. It seems they were relying on a large lump sum amount of church funding that was dependent on planning but hasn't materialised.

The Telegraph can spin it how they want, but the school seems to have been in slow decline for a while.

had two girls at the school (yr 6 and yr 9) when the head decided to go coed.
elephant in the room -he had sons.
USP it’s a girls’ school.
Eldest stayed for GCSEs 2019
Youngest moved schools.
tbh I gave them 5 years, Covid gave them an extra year imo.
@PatriciaHolm is right.

There will be many factors. They went co-ed as the numbers weren’t working single sex. Now with less parents signing up due to VAT fears the numbers have dropped below viable.

I’m not sure all the local schools will have spaces - depending on catchment and where they live, 40 extra kids in a year will be difficult to cope with. Some will go to other nearby private schools (but a lot of those are more expensive, St Nicks is in a similar price range but only for girls). Some might get offered schools in Basingstoke or Aldershot as the closest larger towns. In year admissions means they might have to start their new school before the summer break, which is an additional stress to deal with.

I’ve just looked up St Nick’s financials from the charity commission. The numbers are not looking good. Anyone looking to change from Alton to there should really consider, or they could end up with 2 moves in quick succession.

On the other hand the numbers could push them back into the black.

If some of the Alton parents’ backs were against the wall, especially with the coming 20% VAT increase, then this would make it a no brainer. And over the coming months it won’t be the only private school where this is the outcome.

For the current year 10 and year 12, matching up as much of the GCSE / A level curriculum as possible will be a consideration. Current year 12 should be able to restart year 12 in a new school or college if the worst comes to the worst, restarting year 10 not an option available to those moving half way through GCSEs, at a state school at least.

Oh no, I’m an Alton parent, going to view both Farnborough Hill and St Nick’s for my DD. Really worried about St Nick’s financials- definitely don’t want this happening again. We are really up sh*t creek

Really sorry to hear this, what a blow. How is your DD? I really hope you get a place nailed down for her asap.

Are the schools you’re looking at answering the phone over the half term, or do you have to wait until next week?

DD is ok, shaken and upset but probably handling it better than me! Most schools have been great at accommodating school visits in the half term, it’s really hard to get a feel for the energy of the place without the children actually there, though. One place I was pretty keen on (St Edmund’s) haven’t replied to my email. Hoping we get some clarity today! Thanks for the kind message!