Lyndhurst House Closure

Acorn764 · 2022-07-13T13:55:20+00:00

Very saddened to see that Lyndhurst House has suddenly closed! So sorry for the staff and families. It was on our list for DS. Does anybody know why it closed? Were numbers down?

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

hockeygrass · 13/07/2022 16:28

I guess it's the power of Dukes Education, I wonder what they will do with the site (they are launching a new multi site school in London in the future).

Coronateachingagain · 19/07/2022 23:26

I wonder how all of this takeover frenzy will end - not looking good for parents, comes down to which private equity owned school is the least of a pain of them all

Mystery2345 · 20/07/2022 16:08

This seems very sudden given how positive the Head was about Dukes owning the school back in March. It's just business to Dukes.

Rojjahri · 21/07/2022 16:23

All the children have been offered places in their other schools - really was no need for three sites of schools by the same company - they will make far more money if they turn lyndhurst into a private sixth form only college / crammer to be honest.

Original poster

Acorn764 · 21/07/2022 18:58

But if my DS were at LH, Heathside is definitely NOT on my list and wouldn't be an acceptable alternative.

OP posts:

ancie75 · 12/09/2022 12:53

It’s fine if your plan is to merge schools, however, as a parent of a lyndhurst boy, being informed just days before the end of term that your child’s school is closing neither professional nor is it in line with Duke’s manifesto of having the well-being of a child at heart of it all. Yes we were offered places at Devonshire House, we were given no time or option to find a place elsewhere. Effectively, giving parents no reasonable time to make an informed decision about their own child. Thankfully, we did find a place at another school (not Dukes), however, I would be reluctant to send my child to a Dukes Education school due to the method they used when shutting Lyndhurst down. These are my own personal opinion of course. Others may feel differently.

Coronateachingagain · 13/09/2022 08:43

It is well known now that Dukes Education are a business above all. It is a private equity owned business and they are just growing as much as they can, before selling. This includes buying schools around their area of influence to shut down the competition, and concentrate on a few schools. Same happening in Chiswick. Their focus on day to day management of the schools and the daily experience, the happiness of the teachers and children is just enough to keep going. Their focus is more on keeping parents happy and at bay. Oh and let's not even start about fees - they hiked the fees of Orchard House in Chiswick by more than 20% this year with the pretext that the facilities will be improved, but parents that pay now will not see work finished until a few years later! The real reason to hike up the fees is because they can, now they have been buying schools around and shutting down options. They should be regulated and put a cap on fees.

ancie75 · 13/09/2022 10:01

Could not agree with you more. I understand they’ve increased fees at Devonshire House now as well- just when they’ve effectively forced Lyndhurst pupils with no choice but to go to the school without the stress of looking for last minute places. It is sadly a game of Monopoly with schools and our children are the ones that suffer. There should be some regulation in place to prevent these groups from hiking fees and shutting down communities of schools. I’ve heard of another Dukes school in Hampstead that may be closing down as well but not confirmed.

Original poster

Acorn764 · 13/09/2022 12:51

ancie75 · 13/09/2022 10:01

Could not agree with you more. I understand they’ve increased fees at Devonshire House now as well- just when they’ve effectively forced Lyndhurst pupils with no choice but to go to the school without the stress of looking for last minute places. It is sadly a game of Monopoly with schools and our children are the ones that suffer. There should be some regulation in place to prevent these groups from hiking fees and shutting down communities of schools. I’ve heard of another Dukes school in Hampstead that may be closing down as well but not confirmed.

Oh no, not Heathside? Have heard some worrying things about Reception there during my school research. 20% fee increases are unbelievable.

Thank you for all contributions, I feel better armed with important knowledge for DS1 school now.

OP posts:

passport123 · 05/10/2022 18:30

Last time I looked at the Lyndhurst website they were very clear that they are a common entrance school and would not support, provide references for etc, kids leaving at 7 or 11. I wonder if that contributed, as 13+ entry has become less relevant year on year if you're not boarding.

HonorHiding · 05/10/2022 18:36

ancie75 · 13/09/2022 10:01

Could not agree with you more. I understand they’ve increased fees at Devonshire House now as well- just when they’ve effectively forced Lyndhurst pupils with no choice but to go to the school without the stress of looking for last minute places. It is sadly a game of Monopoly with schools and our children are the ones that suffer. There should be some regulation in place to prevent these groups from hiking fees and shutting down communities of schools. I’ve heard of another Dukes school in Hampstead that may be closing down as well but not confirmed.

@ancie75 would you mind PMing me re the other Hampstead school at risk? Many thanks.

afewtoomanychoices · 07/10/2022 16:36

Well it’s only Devonshire house and Heath side … and fine arts for 6th form

HonorHiding · 07/10/2022 17:58

afewtoomanychoices · 07/10/2022 16:36

Well it’s only Devonshire house and Heath side … and fine arts for 6th form

Yes - I was wondering whether Fine Arts is safe for the foreseeable future, or not.

hockeygrass · 07/10/2022 18:57

It's worth noting Dukes are opening an unnamed multi site central London secondary school in the future so they may just widen the fine arts 6th form to become a general 6th form.