Any rumours of North London independent schools at risk of closing?

[NervouslyWatching]

We are moving to North London and looking at indie schools - there has been another thread about private schools at risk of closing. Has anyone heard anything about schools in North London potentially closing?

Can you say which schools you’re thinking of? Biggies like Highgate and UCS tend to be oversubscribed with wealthy parents so have not been affected much by VAT- it’s smaller schools in less wealthy areas that are struggling more.

I know Highgate is about to start a massive building project so presumably finances are healthy.

North London is a big place! Can you say which schools you’re particularly concerned about?

I’m N London/Herts border and most seem to be joining up with a prep/senior school or being part of a wider group. I would be cautious about schools with small class sizes.

You can also look at the accounts at Companies House.

Look at Companies House accounts and see what their debt position looks like. Do they have big loans outstanding including mortgages. Those schools that own their buildings, land and assets are much more able to weather a downturn in fee income vs those who have much higher fixed outgoings required to pay off debt.

Alleyns, St Marys, South Hampstead and St Margarets

@NervouslyWatching sorry I’m not familiar with those schools but hopefully someone else might have some insight.

I don’t know any gossip but I would be very surprised if South Hampstead ran into problems. Alleyn’s is a relative newcomer to the area but as part of a large group you would think it would have some financial security.

South Hampstead is part of the GSDT group and seen as a strong academic school so unless the numbers go through the floor I doubt it will have any issues. Alleyn’s literally has just done the deal to take over the Northbridge house schools (apart from Cannonbury) so doubt any issues there.

No idea about st Mary’s or St Margaret’s - you’d need look at their accounts.

The schools at most risk will be ones which cater to middle / lower academic, small and don’t have any value add - such a SEN or Sport or something that makes it a desirable school over and above the say top 100 indie list schools. Palmers Green is a good example, good school but not super academic and the people who would opt for that either have been priced out and/or because of a little less competition for some more desirable schools students they lost the students.

@Dontknowwhereisit thank you, much appreciated.

There are a LOT of buyers of private Ed in this area. Many people come out from N London to Herts as well depending on what they are looking for and whether single sex/coned eg Merchant Taylor’s, Habs for the very academic mostly single sex approach and to St Chris in Letchworth if you are looking for a more all rounder whole child co ed school. All of these are doing fine.

I can’t see a world where even if one or two settings in N London closed that you wouldn’t have good options in N London itself and in Herts.

If one or two close, then the families at the start of their school journey, after they've closed, will be fine.

But if the OP is choosing now, there's a risk of choosing one that doesn't survive. That risk is particularly acute when you get to year 10 and up, as trying to get a year 11 school place is hard and would put your child at a massive disadvantage.

@WoollyandSarah 100% agree. I think Alleyns opening is an indication demand in this area is strong and then provided pupil numbers are good and accounts are stable (which all parents would be wise to check) then it’s a matter at all North London settings of proceeding in hope.