St John’s Wood prep and Abercorn closed down?

[Nw3mumster]

Hi, I have heard from other parents that both St John’s Wood prep and Abercorn School closed down recently - it seems quite sudden.. was there a reason for this? We were considering Abercorn for our dd so would appreciate suggestion for alternatives. Thanks

Before everyone starts blaming labor tax...many small preps in these parts of London have been struggling due to falling number rolls mainly caused by falling birth rates and covid which drive young families outside London (prices in these parts of london are also unaffordable for many). and thanks to all of these, places in the sought-after primaries come up frequently now... and now labour tax just put a nail in the coffin and we will see more closures and small prep takeovers coming.

In the case of the pre prep it seems some prep schools have been focusing on opening up their early years offerings negating any need for a pre-prep.
Am curious about Abercorn - any parents care to confirm?

There’s some discussion on Twitter about Abercorn hinting at longstanding financial issues.

I don’t know about SJW prep but their website doesn’t work anymore!

If there’s an NW8 forum maybe try that for intel.

Agree with above comments - the reason for these closures is low roll number, which has significantly decreased these past few years. In terms of alternative schools, there are quite a few in nearby Hampstead (well connected via bus routes from St John's Wood). There are a decent choice of pre-preps including: St Mary's, St Anthony's, Devonshire House, which are literally across the road from each other - and all have nurseries.

Rising cost of teachers pensions, Covid, rising cost of salaries, war in Ukraine and Gaza, 18 months of waiting for Labour’s VAT on fees. There will be plenty more of the smaller private schools closing.

You could also consider Sarum Hall, St Christina's, Trevor Roberts and Cavendish - these may be easier to get to than the Hampstead schools.

Massive collapse in birth rate means people are more confident about getting places at the many excellent state schools - so fewer want private - so privates close…

I don’t rate any of the private schools mentioned up thread higher than many (not all) local state schools… Cavendish in particular a total swizz.

The last time I checked there were about about 1,300 independent schools in England. Every month it trickles down a little due to the long-term effects of:

• TPS costs rising
• Teacher's pay rising (e.g. the recent 5.5% award will have to be matched by the private sector)
• Rising cost of buildings maintenance (often period buildings)
• Rising cost of support staff (minimum wage rises, pension requirements etc)
• Rising administrative costs surrounding children's schooling (red tape compliance)
• Costs of more technology in school
• Costs of school lunch food has risen

These costs have been hitting the industry for a number of years. Covid came and destroyed a lot of independent school's financial reserves.

Add to this that independent schooling isn't as "socially acceptable" as it used to be, the state offering has improved, we're all paying more in taxes (and fees having risen by about 50% over the past 8 years around me) etc and running a private school has become really, really hard.

Then Labour arrived on the scene and announced the removal of charitable status and requiring VAT on fees.

Fees are expected to rise by around 12% due to VAT with the business rates argument possibly pushing them up by a fair bit more.

The tl;dr of all the above is that smaller prep schools will be largely wiped out while the larger independent schools will simply be attended by the wealthiest people.

One last thing - once charitable status is removed we should expect all these schools to remove whatever bursaries they offer. Scholarships for academia, music and sports may remain but again only for very best. We'll all end up poorer for it.

FYI if you are looking for a nursery place following the recent closures of Abercorn School and NBH nursery, Broadhurst School have opened an extra class to help accommodate parents found in these unfortunate circumstances. Places are available so do please make contact.

www.broadhurstschool.com

Thanks! Also, just found out that St Anthony's nursery is co-ed too, and accepts little ones from 2. And it offers the 15/30 hours universal discount funding Private Nursery | St. Anthony's Boys I Hampstead (stanthonysprep.org.uk)

You might like to take a look at St George’s School in South Street, Mayfair ( website St George’s Hanover Square Primary School.. although it is in beautiful Mount Street Gardens not Hanover Square). Bond St Tube.
It is currently expanding from a half form entry to one form entry and parents who previously had their children in fee paying schools are taking advantage of the newly available places. It is free and takes 4 to 11 year olds.
first come first served until it is full so no catchment area.

(e.g. the recent 5.5% award will have to be matched by the private sector)
Just to say that independent schools absolutely don't have to match pay awards in the state sector and many frequently don't!

Sadly the owner and founder has died and thats lead to issues and its closure.